Sheryl Underwood addresses clash with Sharon Osbourne on The Talk: ‘I wanted to be a better example for people’

Sheryl Underwood has addressed her clash with Sharon Osbourne on The Talk, saying she ‘wanted to be a better example for people’.

Earlier this week, clips from daytime chat show The Talk went viral after Sharon, 68, tearfully defended Piers Morgan over his comments about Meghan Markle, and demanded a definition of racism from Sheryl, 57.

The former X Factor judge was hit with backlash for her behaviour, and has since issued an apology.

Speaking about the incident on The Steve Harvey Show, Sheryl said that she has received a lot of love from fans since the episode aired.

She said: ‘I got calls from all over the world from people that I was wondering, “How did you find me? How do you know me?” I was getting prayers, I was getting love.

‘And I want people to know this, I believe that God was telling me, “I have a plan for you. I am about to pour down a blessing upon you. I just need to know, are you ready because you will face this again?”

‘I just wanted to be a better example for people that are working just a regular old job, that had to compose themselves.’

Sheryl continued: ‘We are the only race of people that carry the race wherever we go, and we’re responsible for that.

‘And I want to thank everybody all over the world in social media, everybody in radio, television, news, everywhere, everybody that reached out.

‘What power you had to make me understand you have matured Sheryl Underwood. You have matured. Because I could have messed it up, couldn’t I? I could have messed it up.’

The Talk co-host also spoke about Sharon on her own podcast, and explained that she realised she needed to step into ‘the leadership position’ while speaking to her fried.

She said: ‘I thought we were having a conversation like we normally do. But then I got a feeling that, wait a minute, this ain’t what it usually is.

‘I also got another feeling of, okay, Sheryl, this is time for you to step up into the leadership position … this is time for you to show what you’re made of, and in a personal way. No matter what somebody says about you, I can show you something better than I can tell you.’

Piers’ departure from Good Morning Britain made headlines across the world, after he quit following backlash to comments he made about the Duchess of Sussex.

Following Meghan and Harry’s interview with Oprah Winfrey, Piers, 55, said he did not believe Meghan when she said she had been suicidal and was rejected when she sought psychiatric help.

Sharon, who worked with Piers on America’s Got Talent, defended her friend, tweeting: ‘[Piers] I am with you. I stand by you.  

‘People forget that you’re paid for your opinion and that you’re just speaking your truth.

On The Talk, things got heated, as Sharon said: ‘Did I like everything he said? Did I agree with what he said? No. Because it’s his opinion. It’s not my opinion… I support him for his freedom of speech, and he’s my friend. I’m not racist… I don’t care what colour or what religion anyone is. Are you a nice person? That’s what I judge you on.’ 

Sheryl then challenged her colleague: ‘What would you say to people who may feel that while you’re standing by your friend, it appears you gave validation or safe haven to something that he has uttered that is racist, even if you don’t agree?’ 

Sharon replied: ‘I very much feel like I’m about to be put in the electric chair because I have a friend, who many people think is a racist, so that makes me a racist? What does it gotta do with me?’ 

The star became increasingly emotional as she continued: ‘I will ask you again Sheryl, I’ve been asking you during the break and I’m asking you again, and don’t try and cry ‘cause if anyone should be crying it should be me. Educate me. Tell me when you have heard him say racist things.’ 

Sheryl calmly explained: ‘It is not the exact words of racism, it’s the implication and the reaction to it.

‘To not want to address that because she is a Black woman, and to try to dismiss it or to make it seem less than what it is that’s what makes it racist. But right now, I’m talking to a woman I believe is my friend and I don’t want anybody here to watch this and think we are attacking you for being racist.’ 

Sharon later issued an apology, for any offence caused to the black community or to ‘anyone that feels confused or let down by what I said’.

She said: ‘I panicked, felt blindsided, got defensive & allowed my fear & horror of being accused of being racist take over. There are very few things that hurt my heart more than racism so to feel associated with that spun me fast! I am not perfect, I am still learning like the rest of us & will continue to learn, listen and do better.’

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