Sharon Osbourne might be trying to backtrack on her out-of-pocket response to Sheryl Underwood regarding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s CBS interview with Oprah Winfrey, but Holly Robinson Peete is making sure we remember how Osbourne treated her on The Talk.
“I’m old enough to remember when Sharon complained that I was too ‘ghetto’ for #theTalk…then I was gone,” Robinson Peete tweeted. “I bring this up now bc I was mortified watching the disrespectful condescending tone she took w/her co host who remained calm & respectful because…she HAD to.”
I’m old enough to remember when Sharon complained that I was too “ghetto” for #theTalk…then I was gone????
I bring this up now bc I was mortified watching the disrespectful condescending tone she took w/her co host who remained calm & respectful because…she HAD to????????♀️ ????????♀️#fbf https://t.co/7pnCnhM5rf pic.twitter.com/CXR4DzvlEZ— Holly Robinson Peete???????? (@hollyrpeete) March 12, 2021
She also wrote more about her experience on Instagram, writing that watching Osbourne speak to Underwood that way “triggered” her.
“I’ve been a highroad girl but when I watched what everyone else saw on my former show @thetalkcbs it triggered me and I wanted to speak out,” she wrote. “Much respect to Sheryl Underwood who really should’ve been able to express her emotions on TV however she wanted to. It was also not her job to educate a grown woman. I have always felt that ignoring, defending excusing or amplifying racism, bigotry and discrimination is unacceptable. When you know better you are supposed to do better. #isaidwhatisaid.”
The admission corresponds with a 2012 Shadow And Act’s blog post when Robinson Peete was let go from The Talk. At the time, Leah Remini, who was also let go from the talk show, wrote in a tweet, “Sharon thought me and Holly were ‘Ghetto.’ We were not funny, awkward and didn’t know ourselves. She had us fired.”
Osbourne caused controversy Wednesday on CBS’ The Talk. She interrupted Underwood from speaking Markle’s admission of suicidal ideation due to racism from within the British Royal Family and “the Institution,” the business side of the royal family. Underwood was addressing Piers Morgan’s bullying and racist reactions to Markle’s story before Osbourne wanted her to “teach” her what made the incident racist. Osbourne also told Underwood not to cry, saying that she should be the one shedding tears because she might be considered racist.
Osbourne has issued a statement on Twitter apologizing for her reaction, saying in part that she felt “panicked” and “blindsided” by the conversation.
“After some reflection, after sitting with your comments & sitting with my heart I would like to address the discussion on The Talk this past Wednesday. I have always been embraced with so much love & support from the black community & I have deep respect & love for the black community.” Osbourne wrote. “To anyone of color that I offended and/or to anyone that feels confused or let down by what I said, I am truly sorry. 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.”
— Sharon Osbourne (@MrsSOsbourne) March 12, 2021
Underwood has addressed the controversy on her podcast, Sheryl Underwood Radio. Underwood said that she was hosting the show because Carrie Ann Inaba, who usually leads conversations, was out sick. When Underwood had to field Osbourne’s outburst, she said she knew she had to keep herself and the show going and not react to the situation at hand.
“This day? This show? In the name of Jesus, I had to pull myself together,” she said.
She added that she knew she had the weight of representation for Black women and Blackness as a whole riding on how she reacted. She also said she felt she was called to be part of the bigger discussion about racism.
“I have to stay in the position that God put me in. I’m the catalyst for the bigger discussion. the bigger discussion is do you not see what this is about?” she said. “…It’s the power of us holding microphones and sitting in front of cameras and there’s a responsibility to that.”
If you or someone you know feels at risk, please contact the National Suicide Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or 1-888-628-9454 for Spanish speakers. The deaf and hard of hearing can use your preferred relay service or dial 711 before the main number for English speakers. You can also chat with the lifeline online.
