Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes recently disclosed a blackmail scheme they endured weeks before their relationship surfaced publicly in 2022. The couple described the threats as a blindsiding attempt to force them into revealing their romance prematurely.

Details of the Blackmail Threats

During the February 10 episode of iHeartRadio’s An Unlikely Affair podcast, T.J. Holmes recounted, “We were blindsided. I don’t know if we didn’t take the threat seriously, but we were threatened.”

He emphasized the targeted nature of the extortion: “We knew this was someone [who] threatened specifically to do this to us, specifically threatened to do what happened in the media as…blackmail or extortion.”

Amy Robach elaborated, “They wanted us to admit that we were dating, and we just weren’t ready to yet. Obviously, we were co-anchors on Good Morning America. We had a conversation about it…let’s get our divorces finalized and then go.”

The pair had devised a plan to inform ABC executives after the Christmas break. Robach noted that her extended family, friends, and daughters were already aware of her ongoing divorce. She stressed, “To have it be that many months later for them to pretend or act as though they caught us having an affair was so unfair. It was completely absolutely not true.”

Intent and Aftermath

Holmes described the scheme as deliberate: “It was intentional…this was targeted. The plan was to humiliate and, possibly yes, to get us to lose our jobs.” Despite their resistance, the blackmailer leaked vacation photos from upstate New York on November 30, 2022, igniting widespread media attention.

Robach clarified no ABC involvement and speculated on motives: “[My job] was the one thing that I knew I was good at, that I loved, and I was proud of. It was my identity. And so someone who wanted to do harm knew that.” The anchors went on hiatus from Good Morning America on December 5 and departed ABC a month later.

An ABC spokesperson stated, “After several productive conversations with Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes about different options, we all agreed it’s best for everyone that they move on from ABC News. We recognize their talent and commitment over the years and are thankful for their contributions.”

Robach and Holmes announced their engagement on their podcast in October 2025.