Under the glaring studio lights of The Late Show, where jokes typically fly fast and furious, Stephen Colbert went deadly silent—his usual sharp wit replaced by a trembling voice and visible tears as he finished reading Virginia Giuffre’s raw posthumous memoir, Nobody’s Girl.T

Under the bright studio lights where laughter usually reigns, Stephen Colbert fell silent after immersing himself in Virginia Giuffre’s raw posthumous memoir, emerging with a cracked voice to declare it not just a book but a long-overdue warning against the shadows of unchecked power. In a November 2025 episode of The Late Show, the typically witty host set aside his signature satire for an uncharacteristically somber monologue, visibly moved by Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice.

Published on October 21, 2025, by Alfred A. Knopf, the 400-page book—co-authored with journalist Amy Wallace—was completed before Giuffre’s suicide in April 2025 at age 41. Giuffre, a key accuser in the Jeffrey Epstein sex-trafficking scandal, had insisted the memoir be released regardless of circumstances. It became an instant #1 New York Times bestseller, detailing her grooming at 16 while working at Mar-a-Lago, years of exploitation by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, and allegations against figures like Prince Andrew (three encounters denied by him) and a “well-known prime minister.”

Colbert, known for blending humor with moral commentary, described devouring the book over a weekend. What began as casual reading turned profound; sources close to the show noted a shift in his demeanor—his usual playfulness replaced by quiet reflection. On air, his voice trembled as he recounted Giuffre’s harrowing journey: childhood abuse, trafficking to powerful men, physical tolls like a possible ectopic pregnancy, and Epstein’s attempts to use her as a surrogate. “This isn’t just a story,” Colbert said, eyes glistening. “It’s a warning about how power protects itself, how institutions fail victims, and how one woman’s truth can shatter silence.”

He praised Giuffre’s resilience—escaping at 19, rebuilding in Australia, founding SOAR (Speak Out, Act, Reclaim) for survivors, and aiding Maxwell’s 2021 conviction. Yet, he lamented the unbearable toll that led to her death, compounded by personal struggles revealed posthumously.

Colbert turned emotion into action, announcing a $1 million personal donation to SOAR and pledging to match initial funds for the Giuffre Family Justice Fund. He revealed plans for a benefit concert, Light Still Enters, featuring artists like Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile. In a pointed aside, he urged figures delaying Epstein file releases—implicitly referencing former officials—to “read the book,” emphasizing moral accountability over bureaucracy.

The segment resonated deeply. Sales surged further, advocacy groups saw record donations, and #ReadTheBook trended. Giuffre’s family thanked Colbert for amplifying her voice. In an era of fleeting headlines, his raw vulnerability reminded viewers that empathy can pierce cynicism. As Colbert closed: “Virginia’s light refuses to go out. Let’s carry it forward.”