Claudia Jordan Talks Replacing Ebony Steele On Rickey Smiley: It’s Awkward

because you’re not her. I didn’t take anything from her. She’ll have an amazing career. People love her. I’m a fan. I’ve reached out to her. Would love to sit down and have lunch with her. She’s great at what she does.

The 41-year-old former Miss Rhode Island beauty says she just wants to “do the job justice. And get better at it. Learn the beats, the inside jokes. I want to go and show what I can do. I have a very dry sarcastic sense of humor that may sound condescending and rude. If you think I’m being serious, you don’t really know me. I’m borderline nice in real life. It’s a fun character to play.”

She is grateful to Smiley for giving her this chance:

He’s sticking his neck out for me. I don’t want him to regret it. I want him to feel good. If I do my job and am funny, people will see why I’m here. He knew me from the Foxxhole. He’s seen me in my element.

Claudia reveals that she had no idea Smiley was quietly auditioning her to replace Ebony, who was doing “Dish Nation” TV work in Los Angeles at the time. “I sat in for two days, came back for a third.” 

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