Erin Andrews Makes First Television Appearance Since Victory in Peeping Tom Case

Broadcaster appeared to be in much better spirits while joining Jimmy Kimmel on set

By Samantha Schnurr Mar 17, 2016 12:21 PMTags

Erin Andrews is smiling again. 

Nearly two weeks after she was awarded $55 million in her lawsuit against Nashville Marriott, the 37-year-old Dancing With the Stars co-host made her first public appearance on the set of Jimmy Kimmel Live! Wednesday. "This is kind of my come out of hiding, so thank you," she told the late-night host. "Why would I not want to be here?"

Kimmel certainly wanted to see her—and ask her a pressing question: "May I have a million dollars?" Andrews, who couldn't say much about the case due to appeals, joked, "I don't have any money. I have not signed a new contract with Dancing. Oh, but my Fox contract is up!"

Jokes aside, the accomplished sports newscaster used the moment as an opportunity to address the fans who have supported her throughout the entire legal ordeal. 

"I want to thank everybody. There were so many people that actually reached out all over the world—[they] really were so supportive," she said.

Late February was a challenging time for the journalist, who forged ahead in a two-week trial filled with tearful testimony against her stalker, Michael David Barrett, and the Tennessee-based hotel, where her highly publicized peeping tom incident occurred. In 2008, the former truck driver requested the room next to Andrews' during her stay at the hotel—a request that was ultimately granted. Barrett filmed her through the peep hole of her room while undressing and later shared the footage online, accumulating 17 million views since its posting.

AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, Pool

In March 2010, Barrett pleaded guilty to interstate stalking and was sentenced to two and a half years in prison, three years of probation and thousands of dollars in fines and restitution. He was released from prison in July 2012.  

The lawsuit concluded on March 8 when the jury found Barrett 51 percent at fault, requiring him to pay out more than $28 million. West End Hotel Partners, the owners and operators of Nashville Marriott, was found 49 percent at fault and asked to pay out more than $26 million.

Hotel attorney Marc Deadman told E! News in a statement at the time: "Our clients were manipulated by a criminal who had honed his skill at several prior hotels before coming to Nashville to commit his intentional act against Ms. Andrews. It is very difficult to overcome the perception that Michael Barrett's acts, acts he also committed at other hotels and against other women, should be the responsibility of our clients. We are discussing with our clients their options at this point in light of the ruling."  

Meanwhile, Andrews praised the city's natives and those around the world who rallied behind her. 

"The support I've received from the people of Nashville has been overwhelming. I would also like to thank my family, friends, and legal team. I've been honored by all the support from victims around the world," she wrote on Twitter. "Their outreach has helped me be able to stand up and hold accountable those whose job it is to protect everyone's safety, security and privacy."