Natalie Morales addresses former 'Today' co-star Matt Lauer's firing

Natalie Morales, who worked alongside Matt Lauer on the "Today" show, spoke out about his firing from NBC News during Wednesday's episode of "Access Hollywood Live."

Talking with co-host Kit Hoover, Morales was clearly still in shock over the news about her former colleague and was incredibly transparent when it came to her history with Lauer.

SEE ALSO: Megyn Kelly addresses Matt Lauer's firing from 'Today'

"I saw the news and woke up to the news, like everyone, this morning just in shock," Morales said. "The 'Today' show, of course, has been my family for 16 years now, and it is difficult -- I think everybody is saying how difficult it is -- to process the news."

"I have personally dealt with rumors in the past for years that were hurtful to me, my family [and] they've diminished my hard work," she continued, alluding to rumors that the two were once romantically involved. "I've addressed those rumors head-on in the past [and] that is not the story today."

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"The story today is about a colleague who did come forward, and when -- and if -- she wants to tell her story publicly, I'm sure she will, but it did take a lot of courage for her to come forward," Morales went on. "It was, no doubt, a very painful decision."

Morales and Hoover then went on to share that they expect many more stories to come out about the ousted "Today" anchor, and they commended Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb for the resolve they showed in announcing the bombshell news to their viewers.

"Like Savannah and Hoda said, we will continue to cover this story as journalists," Morales said. "That was a very hard thing for them to do. I'm sending them all hugs because that is a family that is right now very heartbroken."

Before finishing their conversation, Hoover switched gears to address the speculation that has already begun around who could possibly replace Lauer as the co-anchor of NBC's premiere morning program. When Hoover suggested that it could potentially be two female anchors leading the show in the future, Morales was quick to quell the speculation.

"Could be!" she said with caution. "We will have to wait and see on that. I think it's jumping ahead of everything right now. I think right now the stories are still coming out."

Who could replace Matt Lauer on "Today"?

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