Love triangles, public scandal, and career implosions – it's a story that captivated and divided the nation. But after the dust settled, a new chapter begins: Former ABC stars T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach are now engaged! Their whirlwind romance, born from an affair that rocked the broadcasting world, has culminated in a commitment that they're ready to share with everyone. But here's where it gets controversial... How did this all unfold, and what does it mean for their future?
The former Good Morning America 3 anchors, T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach, made the big announcement on Tuesday's episode of their podcast, aptly titled Amy and TJ. "We are sharing with all of you that we are engaged, and we’ve been engaged for just about a month now," Robach revealed, her voice filled with emotion. Holmes chimed in, adding, "We wanted to let you all know before anybody else was able to; we’ve learned that lesson, I guess, in the past about our relationship." This statement subtly refers to the intense media scrutiny they faced when their affair first became public. They even playfully titled the podcast episode 'Robach-Holmes,' a clear nod to their future shared last name.
What's fascinating is how they managed to keep the engagement under wraps for a whole month. Robach explained on the podcast that she'd been wearing her engagement ring in public, even at massive football stadiums, but no one seemed to notice or say anything. "I was in three massive football stadiums three weekends in a row, wearing my engagement ring very proudly, very excitedly, and kept waiting for somebody to point it out or ask me, 'Hey, what’s that?' And it never happened." Holmes joked, "We haven’t been keeping it a secret, but nobody asked!" It's a testament to how much control they've seemingly gained over their narrative since the initial scandal.
Let's rewind to understand the complete picture. In 2022, the Daily Mail broke the story that Holmes and Robach were having an affair while still married to their respective spouses. This wasn't just a rumor; the publication released a series of pictures documenting their blossoming romance. These images included cozy moments at a New York City bar after filming, private time at each other's apartments, and a romantic weekend getaway to a secluded cottage in Upstate New York just before Thanksgiving. And this is the part most people miss... the sheer detail and intimacy captured in those photos fueled the firestorm of public opinion.
Specifically, on November 10, 2022, the day before their weekend escape, the pair were seen at O'Donoghue's bar in Times Square, just hours after pre-recording their GMA3 segment. An eyewitness at the time told DailyMail.com, "They were totally into each other. She was giggling at whatever he was saying, and they were looking at each other's phones. At one point, she was kind of dancing in her chair to the music and laughing so hard she practically fell into his lap." The following day, Holmes was seen leaving his apartment with luggage and then heading to a restaurant near Robach's apartment. He then met Robach, who picked him up in her BMW convertible for their drive to the Shawangunk Mountains.
The fallout from the affair was swift and severe. Both Holmes and Robach were fired from ABC and subsequently filed for divorce from their partners. Robach had been married to Melrose Place alum Andrew Shue since 2009, while Holmes had been married to Marilee Fiebig since 2010. The two TV stars had grown close after landing jobs at ABC, and their chemistry as co-hosts of GMA3, which began in 2020, was undeniable. On-air, they often engaged in playful banter and affectionate touches, quickly becoming one of ABC's most popular on-screen duos.
However, those seemingly innocent interactions took on a new light once the affair was revealed. Amy had even referred to T.J. as being like a 'brother' to her, which made the news of their secret romance all the more shocking to fans. Despite the scandal, the couple presented a united front, seemingly relieved to no longer have to hide their relationship. They embarked on public displays of affection and lavish vacations, showcasing their love to the world as their previous marriages and careers crumbled.
In November 2023, they announced the launch of their joint podcast, posting on social media, "How's this for Instagram official?" and using the hashtag 'Silent No More.' During the first episode, they reflected on the scandal, with Holmes asserting that their divorces were already in progress before their romance began. Interestingly, after their respective divorces, Andrew Shue started a relationship with Marilee Fiebig.
Since launching their podcast, Holmes and Robach have been remarkably open about their relationship. On a June 2nd episode, Robach shared how she had hit "rock bottom," referencing the emotional impact of their ouster from ABC. She revealed that Rachel Platten's song "Fight Song" had become her anthem during that difficult time. Holmes described the experience of letting go as "weird" but "freeing," stating that it was necessary to find "where I'm supposed to be," while acknowledging that "It sucks. It sucks even more than you think."
But the story doesn't end with the engagement. What challenges will they face as a couple in the public eye? Will their podcast be a success? And perhaps most importantly, can they truly move on from the scandal that defined their relationship? What do you think about their relationship? Do you believe they've handled the situation well, or do you think their actions were inappropriate? Do you think their relationship will last? Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!
