Meet Kamala Harris’s famous ex-boyfriend, Montel Williams: the former host of TV talk show The Montel Williams Show seemingly endorsed the vice-president on X, and is married to a flight attendant

Jul 26, 2024

Before Kamala Harris married her current husband, she dated TV personality Montel Williams. Photos: Getty Images; @montel_williams/Instagram

Apparently, Harris’ former BF, talk show host Montel Williams, gave a ‘somewhat unclear endorsement’ of the vice-president in the lead-up to the presidential election after Joe Biden’s exit

Harris and Williams, a talk show host known for his since-discontinued The Montel Williams Show, dated for a short period in 2001, and they were spotted at a red carpet event in California that year

With current US president Joe Biden bowing out of the 2024 elections, his vice-president, Kamala Harris, has emerged as the front runner for the Democratic nomination. Since announcing her candidacy, Harris has drawn endorsements from a wide range of celebrities and politicians alike, including singer Olivia Rodrigo and congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – but who would’ve guessed that one of those endorsements would come from an ex?

US vice-president and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks at her campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, on July 22. Photo: AFP

Apparently, Harris’ former boyfriend, talk show host Montel Williams, gave a “somewhat unclear endorsement” of the vice-president in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, per the New York Post. Eagle-eyed internet users thought he’d thrown his support behind Maryland governor Wes Moore when he wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “I’ve watched @GovWesMoore lead my home state of Maryland, and I know leadership when I see it.” Facing a “deluge of reactions”, Williams then reposted one of Moore’s posts endorsing Harris.

Harris and Williams dated for a short period in 2001. They walked several red carpets together and attended a multiple sclerosis benefit gala in California that year. Harris has been married to her husband, American lawyer Douglas Emhoff, since 2014.

Here’s what we know about Kamala Harris’ blast from the past ex:

Montel Brian Anthony Williams is an American TV host and actor

Kamala Harris’ ex, Montel Williams, shared this photo on Instagram in May. Photo: @montel_williams/Instagram

Williams, 68, is an Emmy award-winning TV personality thanks to his daytime talk show The Montel Williams Show, which ran from 1991 to 2008. According to his bio on Montel Media, he is also a decorated former naval officer, motivational speaker, author and entrepreneur. He also hosted his Lifetime Show, Military Makeover with Montel from 2018-2023.

Why did Montel Williams quit his show?

Montel Williams sits on a couch. In June, he announced his upcoming appearances in Boston with this image on Instagram. Photo: @montel_williams/Instagram

It’s unclear exactly why The Montel Williams Show didn’t get renewed for the 2008-2009 season, but there has been some speculation over the years, with one netizen claiming it could be due to Williams’ controversial comments about the media giving Heath Ledger’s death too much airtime rather than focusing on the deaths of soldiers in Iraq.