Justin Nettlebeck, one of the co-hosts of the Q101 Morning Crew on Cumulus Alternative “Q101” WKQX in Chicago, announced that he was leaving the show in April 2023.
His departure came as a surprise to many fans and listeners, who were left wondering what happened to him and why he quit.
In this article, we will explore the possible reasons and reactions to Justin’s exit from Q101.
Justin Nettlebeck Leaves Q101
Justin Nettlebeck joined the Q101 Morning Crew in December 2018, along with Brian Haddad and Ali Mattacola. He had previously worked as a producer on several radio shows in Seattle, such as “Marco, Jackie & Moote” and “Fitz in the Morning”. He was known for his humor, energy and personality on the show.
On April 25, 2023, Justin posted a statement on his Instagram account, saying that he was no longer a part of the show as of last Friday. He did not give any details or reasons for his decision, but he expressed his gratitude and love for his fans and co-workers. He wrote:
Ahoy Family! As of last Friday, I am no longer a part of the show with Q101. I want you all to know how much I love and appreciate every single one of you. You have made my dreams come true, you’ve become family to me and you’ve always been there for me when I needed you. The last 4+ years has been a total blast, so many laughs, a few tears and more good times than I could count. It’s been an absolute pleasure getting to know you and spending 6AM-10AM with you every day. I want you to know that I am still here for you if you ever need me. We are family and family sticks together for life through thick and thin. I am forever grateful for the times we had together and the connection we have made with one another. Please know that I love you and I’m always here for you if you need me. You can reach out to me on my personal FB page Justin Radio or on Instagram at Q101Justin. Love you
Justin’s announcement came just days after the station had introduced Kenzie K as the new co-host of the Q101 Morning Crew, alongside Brian Haddad and Justin Nettlebeck. Kenzie K had previously worked at WBBM-FM in Chicago and WLLD-FM in Tampa.
Speculation and Reactions from Fans
Justin’s sudden departure sparked a lot of speculation and reactions from fans and listeners, who were confused and upset by the news. Many of them took to social media and online forums to express their opinions and theories.
One of the most popular platforms where fans discussed Justin’s exit was the Chicago Media Chat Message Forum, where users posted comments such as:
- “I’m shocked by this news. Justin was my favorite part of the show. He was hilarious and always made me laugh. I wonder what happened behind the scenes.”
- “This is a huge loss for Q101. Justin was a great talent and had a lot of chemistry with Brian. Kenzie K is not a good fit for the show. She sounds too generic and boring.”
- “I think Justin was fired by Cumulus. They probably wanted to save money or change the direction of the show. It’s a shame because he was doing a great job.”
Other fans expressed their confusion and anger on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, where they posted messages such as:
- “@Q101Justin why did you leave Q101? You were the best thing on that station. Please come back.”
- “I’m so sad that Justin is gone from Q101. He was such a fun and genuine person. He made my mornings better.”
- “Q101 sucks without Justin. He was the only reason I listened to that show. Kenzie K is annoying and has no personality.”
No Official Confirmation or Explanation
Despite the speculation and reactions from fans, there has been no official confirmation or explanation from either Justin or Q101 about why he left the show. Neither party has addressed the issue publicly or privately, leaving many questions unanswered.
Some rumors have suggested that Justin may have left due to personal reasons, such as health issues or family matters. Others have speculated that he may have left due to professional reasons, such as contract disputes or creative differences.
Some fans have also wondered if Justin will return to radio or pursue other career opportunities in the future. Some have suggested that he may join another station in Chicago or elsewhere, while others have hoped that he may start his own podcast or online show.
However, these are all just rumors and speculations, as there has been no official confirmation or explanation from either Justin or Q101 about why he left the show.
