Molly Qerim has become a mainstay at ESPN, known for her impressive ability to keep the fast-paced debate show First Take on track. As the show’s moderator, she navigates the strong personalities of Stephen A. Smith, Shannon Sharpe, and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, all of whom are known for their energetic—and often lengthy—rants. Keeping these voices in check while ensuring the show runs smoothly is no small task, and Qerim has earned praise for her consistency and poise on the job, Monday through Friday.
But managing a show with such big personalities isn’t always easy. The nature of First Take often means Qerim has to play referee, making sure discussions don’t spiral out of control while balancing the opinions of some of the loudest voices in sports media. Whether it’s Stephen A.’s fiery takes, Russo’s unpredictable tangents, or Sharpe’s bold commentary, Qerim deftly keeps the show moving, a skill that has made her an invaluable part of the First Take team.
Beyond her role on screen, Qerim has also dealt with public speculation about her personal life, particularly rumors linking her to her colleagues. For months, gossip circulated that she was romantically involved with Stephen A. Smith.
However, Smith shut down the rumors on air, making it clear that their relationship is strictly professional.
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“There’s nothing going on,” Smith said, addressing the rumors. “You understand what I’m saying? But here’s the upside to all of that: they know my taste. So, therefore, they know that’s a compliment to her. And, obviously, she has great taste as well, so I guess that’s America’s way of saying we both really really look good … It does mean that ‘First Take’ is not only the number one show because of our content, but we also look the part.”
While Qerim has managed to stay focused on her work amidst the rumors, she recently made headlines for a much more positive reason. Earlier this week, fans of the ESPN host couldn’t stop talking about her latest fashion choice. Qerim appeared on First Take wearing a stunning red top paired with matching red heels, complementing the look with a sleek gray skirt. Her ensemble quickly caught the attention of viewers and social media users alike.
After the show, Qerim shared a few photos of her outfit on Instagram, and the response was overwhelming. In just two days, her post garnered over 45,000 likes, with fans showering her with compliments on her style.
Known for her bold and fashionable looks, Qerim rarely repeats outfits, meaning it’s unlikely fans will see this particular combo again anytime soon. However, her fans won’t have to wait long for her next fashion-forward moment.
As First Take returns on Monday to recap Week 2 of the NFL season, viewers can expect Qerim to bring both her moderating expertise and her keen sense of style back to the screen.
Her ability to balance the demands of her job while maintaining a strong presence—both in terms of personality and fashion—has made Molly Qerim one of ESPN’s most beloved figures.
Whether she’s keeping her co-hosts in check or wowing viewers with her latest outfit, Qerim continues to prove why she’s such an integral part of First Take.
