HEARTBREAKING MOMENT: Ginger Zee In Tears As GMA Co-Star She’s Worked With For Years ANNOUNCES She’s QUITTING Hosting Duties

active-image

The studio lights were just warming up, the coffee barely poured, when the news hit Good Morning America like a thunderclap: Dr. Jennifer Ashton, the calm, brilliant voice millions relied on for health news, was leaving the show. And Ginger Zee, the meteorologist whose sunny spirit has weathered every storm on air, couldn’t hold back her emotions.

It started with a single post—Dr. Jen, smiling, her signature confidence shining through, announcing she was stepping away from GMA to chase new dreams. “I kind of subscribe to the fact that when the universe sends you a message, you should listen to it,” she told The Hollywood Reporter, her words echoing in the halls of ABC and across social media.

Dr. Jen (middle) and Ginger (left) have worked closely throughout most of their GMA careers

But for Ginger, the universe’s message felt like a gut punch. She reshared the news with a bittersweet note: “So happy for you @drjashton but crying for us.” The words hung in the air, raw and real, a confession from a woman who’s spent years side by side with Dr. Jen—through breaking news, flu seasons, and the chaos of live TV.

Backstage, the mood was heavy. Staffers swapped stories about Dr. Jen’s kindness, her quick wit, the way she always had a remedy for Ginger’s latest cold or a pep talk before a tough segment. “She’s not just a colleague, she’s family,” Ginger whispered to a producer, dabbing her eyes as cameras rolled on. Even Sam Champion, the ever-steady meteorologist, paused to say, “Ginger, we’re all feeling it. Jen’s leaving a hole you can’t just fill.”

The internet caught fire. Fans flooded Ginger’s Instagram with messages—“We’re crying with you,” “GMA won’t be the same,” and “Thank you for sharing your heart.” Some posted throwback clips of Ginger and Dr. Jen laughing together, trading tips on staying healthy, surviving flu season, and juggling motherhood with live television. “This is the end of an era,” one follower wrote, capturing what thousands felt.

Dr. Jen herself tried to lighten the mood. “Don’t worry, Ginger, I’ll still be texting you flu remedies,” she joked during a commercial break, her signature warmth breaking through the sadness. But the goodbye was real. After more than a decade as ABC’s chief medical correspondent, and a close friend to Ginger since 2011, Dr. Jen was stepping away—not for scandal or drama, but for her next chapter, launching her wellness company Ajenda and tackling menopause health head-on.

Ginger, who’s weathered her own storms—recently returning from a break to honor Earth Month, and bouncing back after a bout with the flu—felt the loss deeply. “Jen was there for me when I was sick, when I was stressed, when I needed advice,” she told viewers in a candid moment off-air. “She’s more than a doctor. She’s my friend.”

Social media lit up with tributes, fans recalling moments when Dr. Jen’s advice helped them through tough times, and Ginger’s infectious energy made mornings brighter. “You two are the dream team,” one fan posted. Another wrote, “Ginger, your tears are ours. We love you both.”

As Dr. Jen’s final day in June approaches, the heartbreak is palpable, but so is the pride. Ginger summed it up best: “I’m happy for you, Jen. But I’m crying for all of us. Thank you for being my partner in sunshine and in storms.”

In a world that rarely slows down, this goodbye feels impossibly big—and impossibly real. For Ginger Zee, for GMA, and for millions of viewers, it’s the end of something special. And as the cameras fade, one thing is clear: the friendship, the laughter, and the tears will linger long after the morning headlines have moved on.