CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King has found herself at the centre of a social media storm after posting a video showing her kissing a stingray while on holiday in Grand Cayman. The 71-year-old television personality shared footage of herself and her sister swimming with the marine creatures at the popular tourist destination known as Stingray City.
Stingray Kissing Tradition Sparks Outrage
According to King's account, a tour guide informed her that kissing a stingray "without tongue" would bring seven years of good luck. The veteran broadcaster enthusiastically participated in the tradition, later captioning her social media post: "Rumor has it that you get good luck for seven years if you kiss a stingray — so I kissed that sucker twice! Hope this really works."
However, the video prompted immediate backlash from concerned social media users who criticised the interaction as harmful to wildlife. One commenter expressed dismay, writing: "Gross... leave them alone. Kissing them upsets the natural bacteria on their skin." Another added: "Why are you doing that? Good God, leave nature alone! They're not here for your entertainment!"
Environmental Concerns Raised
The criticism extended beyond simple disapproval, with several users highlighting potential ecological consequences. One particularly vocal comment noted: "Imagine the germs and viruses WE are spreading into their world! Get the HELL over yourselves." These responses reflect growing public awareness about human-wildlife interactions and their potential impacts on delicate marine ecosystems.
Stingray City in Grand Cayman has long been a popular attraction where visitors can wade into shallow waters to interact with hundreds of stingrays in their natural habitat. While such encounters are marketed as eco-tourism experiences, King's video has reignited debates about appropriate boundaries between tourists and wildlife.
Professional Uncertainty Looms
The controversial holiday post comes amid increasing speculation about King's future at CBS Mornings. According to industry reports from Variety, network executives including CBS editor in chief Bari Weiss and CBS News president Tom Cibrowski have reportedly been considering moving King from her current co-host position.
Potential role changes being discussed include:
- Transition to special correspondent status
- Occasional reporting assignments
- Positions leveraging her celebrity interview skills
King's substantial $15 million annual contract is scheduled for renewal in May, adding further significance to these discussions. Rumours about her potential departure initially surfaced in November, coinciding with Paramount's planned $8 billion merger with Skydance Media.
Official Statements and Responses
When questioned about her future at CBS during December's Footwear News Achievement Awards, King offered a characteristically vague response, stating: "I'm still there, I'm planning to be there." When pressed for further details, she playfully deflected: "No, what do you know?"
CBS News has issued an official statement addressing the speculation: "There have been no discussions with Gayle about her contract that runs through May 2026. She's a truly valued part of CBS and we look forward to engaging with her about the future." This carefully worded response neither confirms nor denies the ongoing discussions reported by industry insiders.
The combination of environmental controversy and professional uncertainty creates a complex situation for the veteran broadcaster, whose actions both on holiday and in her career continue to generate significant public and industry attention.
