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Matt Lauer is “not happy” that Brooke Nevils’ 2017 sexual assault allegations have resurfaced, but is “coming to terms with the bad press,” an exclusive source tells PEOPLE.
In an excerpt from her memoir, “UnspeakableThings: Silence, Shame, and the Stories We Choose to Believe,” which will be published in The Cut on January 28, Ms. Nevils recalled details of her sexual encounter with the former Today show anchor, who was fired in 2017 after reporting on allegations of sexual harassment and assault during the 2014 Winter Olympics.
“I have spent many years since using my discarded skills as a journalist to report and write a book about sexual harassment and assault that I wish I had,” she begins in the excerpt.
Now, a source close to Lauer tells PEOPLE that although Lauer is “not happy about the publication of her book,” the former TV host is “grateful to his close friends who rallied around him during this scandal.”
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Lauer himself is “angry” that Neville is rehashing the allegations, which he has repeatedly denied.
A source also told PEOPLE that Lauer is tired of everything and is trying to move on with his life with longtime girlfriend Shamin Abbas.
Lauer’s attorney did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Saturday, January 31st.
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“He is living a happy life in the Hamptons with his children and friends,” the source says. “He also loves his place in New Zealand and spends a lot of time there. He has lived a life away from all of this scandal. He is happy. He still has a strong relationship with Shamin and has a fulfilling personal life.”
Lauer is the father of three children, sons Jack (24) and Tyce (19), and daughter Romy (22), with ex-wife Annette Roque. The former couple separated after Lauer left NBC, and their divorce was finalized in 2019.
Another source echoed that sentiment, telling PEOPLE that Lauer’s trips to his New Zealand property enriched his life both before and after the scandal.
“He’s very happy when he’s in New Zealand. I can see him spending more time there,” the source said. “It has kept him away from negative press in the United States. But more than that, he loves the American people and a healthy lifestyle.”
Regarding Nevils’ claims, a source said Lauer “has always maintained that the sex was consensual.”
“This whole thing hit him pretty hard at first, but he’s come a long way and lives a life free of negativity,” the source explains. “He loves his children and has had a romantic relationship that has been going on for years.”
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In a recent interview with NPR, Nevils said Lauer’s claims that their relationship was “consensual” were inaccurate.
“Consent and agreement are not synonymous,” she said. “When one side has power over the other, it’s not really consent. It’s submission.”
“When you’re an employee and the most powerful person in your industry asks you to come to their hotel room, hotel rooms are not socially viewed in the same way in our industry (but),” she continued. “We always work in hotel rooms. I had already been to his hotel room for rehearsals and was there early that night. This isn’t a freight location like other industries.”
A third source close to Lauer tells PEOPLE that the former Today show star has let fame go to his head after getting used to the popularity and attention he receives from viewers and has been “humbled” ever since.
“Matt knows that he was a superstar on NBC and a talent that connected with a lot of people, especially female viewers, who watched him every day,” the source says. “He’s capitalized on his celebrity and is humbled by what happened to him. In a way, he’s come to terms with the bad press. He’s in a good place, especially compared to a few years ago.”
