Sheryl Underwood reveals why she didn’t respond to Sharon Osbourne’s texts after on-air clash

Sheryl Underwood has explained why she decided not to reply to Sharon Osbourne’s text messages after their heated on-air exchange about racism.

In March the presenters went viral after their clash about Piers Morgan’s comments about Meghan Markle, and whether he had been racist.

During the row, Sharon became tearful as she repeatedly asked Sheryl to ‘educate’ her about racism, which many viewers felt it wasn’t Sheryl’s job to do as a Black woman.

The show was pulled from the air as CBS conducted an investigation before Sharon announced she was quitting the programme.

The Talk returned for the first time in a month on Monday April 12 and the remaining members of the panel – Shery, Carrie Ann Inaba, Amanda Kloots and Elaine Welteroth – discussed the recent controversy and ‘false accusations’ that have been made.

Sheryl also revealed that Sharon had not phoned her, but did send text messages which she did not respond to.

She began: ‘I want to clear something up. There was a discussion about Sharon and I communicating with each other. I have not spoken to, and do not have any phone call, missed or received, that I can find in my phone. But there were text messages sent to me.’

The TV star added that she chose not to reply as she wasn’t sure if she was allowed to speak with Sharon during CBS’ investigation.

The episode also included a conversation with Dr. Donald E. Grant, an expert on diversity, equity, inclusion and justice.

When Dr. Grant applauded Sheryl for her self-control, the presenter confessed: ‘I didn’t want to escalate things with Sharon because I thought I was having a conversation with a friend.

‘But also I feel I had to be an example for others to follow because I didn’t want to be perceived as the angry Black woman. That really scared me, I didn’t want to be that.’

She continued: ‘I wanted to remain calm and focused. I just feel the trauma. I feel fearful and apprehensive. It is difficult to go back to that day because I feel the trauma. That really scared me.’

Sherly later commented that she really wanted to move past the ‘PTSD’ that she suffered from that day.

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