William Bush, better known as Billy Bush, reportedly played a role in the end of erstwhile Access Hollywood colleague, Kit Hoover’s 25-year marriage to Crowley Sullivan, according to inside sources. Bush, 53, had worked closely with Hoover, 54, on the show for about six years, from 2010 to 2016. In spite of the ‘irreconciable differences’ cited in court documents as the grounds for Hoover and Sullivan’s separation, insiders insinuate that the seemingly platonic partnership between former co-anchors was the key point of conflict.
Anonymous sources infer that the warm camaraderie between Bush and Hoover was hardly a discreet affair among the backstage crew, with rumors of their extracurricular meet-ups and constant digital communication. They were known to regularly enjoy drinks outside the office premises, were seen indulging in mild office flirtation and made little effort to curtail their interplays. As an insider stated, ‘They might not have confessed to anything, but it was all out in the open for those who wanted to look’.
In the words of multiple undisclosed sources, Bush and Hoover were nearly inseparable, partaking in every activity together, which reportedly estranged Sullivan, making him feel somewhat sidelined. They were more than just colleagues, their bond was so strong that it was beginning to cause a strain in their personal relationships.
In 2016, Bush took his leave from Access Hollywood after securing, what he referred to as, his ‘dream job’. He started hosting the third segment of the Today show in New York, apparently leaving Hoover feeling abandoned. According to someone close to her who wished to remain unnamed, ‘She was deeply upset. Billy seemed to forget her overnight. It was as if she had never been a part of his life’.
A few months into his new job, Bush was caught up in a scandal, which eventually resulted in a sudden collapse of his career. The infamous ‘hot mic’ incident, where then-presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Bush indulged in a controversial conversation, surfaced in the media. During the incident, Trump, who then starred in ‘The Apprentice’, was caught making inappropriate remarks about women, while Bush seemed to cheer him on.
An internal source from NBC recounted, ‘The incident had an explosive impact. One moment he was enjoying the limelight in the show, the next he was being shown the exit’. The incident didn’t just bring about a swift downfall to his career but is also said to have impacted his two decades-long married life with Sydney Davis. Davis sought legal separation from Bush two years later, in 2018.
In spite of the major setback, Bush found unwavering support in Hoover. When most of the industry seemed to abandon him, Hoover stood by his side, defending him. Even when their professional relationship had seemingly ended, the strength of their personal bond was evident.
Post her divorce filing, sources stated that Hoover and Bush have re-initiated contact. One source was quoted as saying ‘They’re both single now and looking to move on, they’ve been having conversations – a lot.’ The implication is that their bond, if not romantic, is still strong enough to reconnect them after all the turmoil.
Meanwhile, there are whispers of unresolved feelings between them dating back to their Access Hollywood years. The first source reiterated, ‘There was something tangible between them, a chemistry hard to fake. Their story seems to have chapters left. Maybe this time they could give it another shot.’