Entertainment
Sharon Osbourne interviewer slammed for asking Black women to educate her after The Talk row
The presenter who interviewed Sharon Osbourne about her row on The Talk has been slammed for asking Black women to educate her on racism.
Sharon, 68, came under fire for shouting at her Talk co-host, Sheryl Underwood, about whether Piers Morgan made racist comments about Meghan Markle.
During the heated debate, Sharon demanded Sheryl ‘educate’ her on racial issues.
It led to CBS launching an internal investigation and pulling the daytime talk show from air this week.
Sharon later offered an apology and sat down with Entertainment Tonight host Kevin Frazier to explain why she reacted so aggressively towards Sheryl.
After the interview was released, Kevin shared an Instagram post asking Black celebrities to hold a ‘summit’ with Sharon where they educated her about racism. He even tagged Sheryl, Holly Robinson Peete and Meghan Markle in the caption.
Kevin wrote in the now-deleted post: ‘At some point we all have to reach a point where we can sit together and have tough conversations about race.
‘I don’t know what happens next for @sharonosbourne but I do know, it is time for a meaningful conversation, a learning moment. She is ready. Let’s not waste this opportunity to move the narrative forward.
‘Let’s gets @chrisbharrison @michaelericdyson #meghanmarkle Sharon @amandaseales @sherylunderwood @hollyrpeete y’all suggest some names and have a summit. Let’s move forward.’
Insecure actress and outspoken activist Amanda Seales was outraged by the suggestion of a summit and clapped back: ‘You must be outta yo gotdamn mind.
‘How bout you put your energy into providing a safe space for those on the show who have been terrorised by her rampant racism/classism/xenophobia. Y’all stay capin for these Karens!’
As the backlash towards Kevin mounted, he deleted the original post and shared a new one explaining his intentions.
‘Listen, I was suggesting that there be a place, in the mainstream where people (like Sheryl and Holly) could actually express their feelings without being muted or muzzled (and I can tell you that there were people who worked to mute Hollys voice after she left),’ he said.
‘That in the same arena where the transgressions occurred that they could be corrected. We are rarely given an opportunity to speak freely in those forums.’
Kevin continued: ‘The people I mentioned and the voices I suggested are people who I think have something important to say. Unfortunately that message was not delivered or received well. Ok… As for my interview with Sharon, it was 90 mins long and there was a lot said that was not reflected in what made the air. It also was done before the latest article detailing other transgressions. That has been addressed.
‘Appreciate all the energy in my comments, I hear ya.’
However, many of Kevin’s followers were still incensed by his earlier comments, with one replying: ‘The first person to have been interviewed was Sherryl [sic]! She needed the platform. I applauded the Steve Harvey radio show for having her on.’
Another agreed: ‘Why was Sheryl or Holly voices not prioritised? You wanted to use their names but not allow them the same access as those who have a history of racist leanings and abuse. And then tried to Black friend Black folks about the work within the community.
‘It’s your community… you want an apple for supporting it?!’
One follower weighed in: ‘When is your interview with Sheryl and Holly and now Elaine going to air? I’m just asking for your sisters in the industry. And at home.’
Sharon has since refuted further claims that she made racist and homophobic remarks about her co-hosts on The Talk.
In her interview with Kevin, the former X Factor judge admitted she was unsure if she even wanted to return to the chat show, or if she would be welcome.
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