On her final day, Elam heard kind words from CNN’s Jake Tapper and Sara Sidner.

CNN correspondent Stephanie Elam leaves network after over 20 years: ‘It’s been a joy’

On her final day, Elam heard kind words from CNN's Jake Tapper and Sara Sidner.

By Shania Russell

Shania Russell

Shania Russell is a news writer at *, *with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine.

EW's editorial guidelines

April 20, 2026 5:27 p.m. ET

Leave a Comment

Stephanie Elam photographed in 2024 in Los Angeles. Credit:

Rebecca Sapp/Getty

- Stephanie Elam said her final goodbye to CNN and its audience on April 17.

- Her final broadcast with colleague Sara Sidner comes after over two decades with the network.

- Elam also got a fond farewell from CNN's Jake Tapper.

Longtime CNN correspondent Stephanie Elam is saying goodbye to the network after two decades of work.

Elam — who first joined CNN in 2003, left in 2011 and then returned two years later — closed out a huge chapter of her career on Friday, making her final appearance on *CNN News Central *with colleague Sara Sidner.

"Stephanie, I know you have some news of your own—you are leaving us," Sidner said on the April 18 broadcast.  "Everyone here is sad to see it. From your exuberant coverage of the eclipse to the difficult coverage of the fires and the protests that we have been in together."

Sidner added, "I want to say thank you for being my friend, helping me through cancer and being a sister, really. You have been a sister to me. CNN may have brought us together, but ain't nothing gonna tear us apart."

Stephanie Elam on CNN.

Elam, 42, laughed as she replied, "You're not getting rid of me, I love you."

Growing visibly emotional, she added, "Tell everyone there, every stage manager, everyone there, I love you guys. It's been a joy working with you all."

Earlier that day, Elam also got a live farewell from CNN's Chief Washington Correspondent Jake Tapper, while sharing her last report on the forthcoming Michael Jackson biopic, *Michael*.

"Stephanie, I'm told this is your last day," Tapper said on air. "I first met you covering the tornadoes in Oklahoma, 2013 or 2014. And I saw you in Ferguson. You and Sidner were just like two of the gutsiest reporters I'd ever seen during all that craziness."

Peter Alexander exiting Saturday 'Today' after 22 years at NBC News

Maurice DuBois departing 'CBS Evening News,' leaving show without an anchor

He continued, "We're really gonna miss you. I do not know what's going on. But when I take over the company, I will bring you back."

Elam is not the only reporter to recently depart the network. Last month saw the exit of anchor Rahel Solomon, who had been with CNN since 2022.

Stephanie Elam on CNN.

News of Elam's departure broke in early April and the journalist addressed her impending exit in a statement shared with *Variety*.

"For more than 20 years I’ve been in the CNN orbit developing and delivering news stories on everything from the environment and entertainment to business and breaking news of all kinds," Elam shared. "I’m so proud of my CNN career. Live or taped, writing packages or doing a show-and-tell, I’ve done it all — and having a front row seat to document history has been a gift."

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our ******EW Dispatch newsletter******.***

In a separate statement, CNN told the outlet that Elam "brought clarity, credibility, and heart to every story she touched."

The statement continued, "Her versatility and natural ability to connect with audiences made her a trusted voice and a valued colleague. We are grateful for her many contributions and wish her continued success in her next chapter."

- Celebrities & Creators

- Entertainment Industry Roles

- TV Hosts & Presenters

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW TV”