Trevor Noah signed off his final The Daily Show with a heartfelt tribute to the Black women who had ‘shaped and nourished him.’
The South African television presenter and comedian announced he would be stepping down from the show after seven years at the helm in September.
Trevor had joined the political satire talk show in 2015, taking over from fellow comedian Jon Stewart, and became renowned for his scathing and often exasperated commentary.
On Thursday, the 38-year-old, who had been rumoured to had been dating Dua Lipa but are ‘just friends’, bid an emotional farewell to the Comedy Central show.
The former Strictly Come Dancing South Africa contestant thanked his viewers – ‘even the people who hate-watch’ – and the influential Black women in his life as he presented his final episode.
Trevor told audiences it had been ‘an honour’ to host The Daily Show and that he did not take it for granted.
‘I am grateful to you, every single one of you,’ he said. ‘I remember, when we started the show, we couldn’t get enough people to fill in the audience.
‘And then, when I look at this now I don’t take it for granted, every seat that has ever been filled to watch something that I’m doing I always appreciate because I know the empty seat that sits behind it.
‘So thank you, thank you to the people who watch.’
Trevor continued: ‘Everyone who has had an opinion, people who have been kind enough and gracious enough…even if it’s a critique, it doesn’t even have to be praise.
‘Even the people who hate-watch – we still got the ratings, so thank you, I’m eternally grateful to you.’
Speaking about those who had had specific influence on him, he explained: ‘I’ve often been credited with these grand ideas, people are like “oh Trevor you’re so smart”.
‘And I’m like, “Who do you think teaches me? Who do you think has shaped me, nourished me, informed me” – from my mum, my gran, or my aunt, all these Black women in my life.
‘I always tell people if you truly want to learn about America, talk to black women, because unlike everyone else, black women can’t afford to f*** around and find out.’
He added: ‘I’ll tell you now, do yourself a favour. If you truly want to know what to do or how to do it, or maybe the best way or the most equitable way – talk to black women. They are a lot of the reason that I’m here.
‘I’m so grateful to them and I’m grateful to every single one of you. This has been an honour, thank you.’
Trevor’s departure from the popular late-night show comes ahead of that of British host James Corden, who announced in April he would be leaving The Late Late Show in 2023.
