Sharon Osbourne has been accused of using racist and homophobic slurs toward her ‘The Talk’ co-hosts by former host Leah Remini.
Sharon Osbourne
The CBS talk show has been put on temporary hiatus this week while CBS conducts a review over Sharon’s explosive confrontation with co-host Sheryl Underwood last week, when they clashed over Sharon’s decision to defend her friend Piers Morgan against allegations of racism in the wake of his departure from UK TV show 'Good Morning Britain'.
And pending CBS’ investigation, former ‘The Talk’ co-host Leah has alleged Sharon frequently used racist and homophobic slurs in reference to their fellow co-hosts Julie Chen and Sara Gilbert whilst Leah was working on the show.
Leah and other unnamed sources appeared in a report from journalist Yashar Ali on Tuesday (16.03.21), where she claimed Sharon had referred to Julie Chen – who is Chinese-American – as “wonton” and “slanty eyes”, as well as calling Sara Gilbert, who is a lesbian, a “p**** licker” and “fish eater”.
However, a representative for Sharon has denied the new allegations from Leah, and has said Sharon is “unfazed and hardly surprised by the lies”.
A statement from her spokesperson said: “The only thing worse than a disgruntled former employee is a disgruntled former talk show host. For 11 years Sharon has been kind, collegial and friendly with her hosts as evidenced by throwing them parties, inviting them to her home in the UK and other gestures of kindness too many to name. Sharon is disappointed but unfazed and hardly surprised by the lies, the recasting of history and the bitterness coming out at this moment. She will survive this, as she always has and her heart will remain open and good, because she refuses to let others take her down. She thanks her family, friends and fans for standing by her and knowing her true nature.”
The news comes after CBS decided to pull the plug on the live shows on Monday (15.03.21) and Tuesday (16.03.21) following the heated row between Sharon and Sheryl.
The discussion started on 'The Talk' when Sharon was talking about defending Piers over comments he made following Duchess Meghan’s interview with Oprah Winfrey, including insisting he didn't believe her when she said she'd had suicidal thoughts.
In response, Sheryl said: "While you are standing by you your friend, it appears that you are giving validation or safe haven to something that he has uttered that is racist.”
Sharon replied: "Educate me, tell me when you have heard him say racist things?
"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?
"How can I be racist about anybody or anything in my life."
The show then cut to a commercial break, but when it returned, she continued to press Sheryl for an explanation as to what was racist about Piers' comments and added: "And don't try and cry, because if anyone should be crying, it should be me."
Sharon later apologised for her comments, but the controversy continued when former 'The Talk' panellist Holly Robinson Peete alleged Sharon had made racist comments about her.
She tweeted: "I’m old enough to remember when Sharon complained that I was too “ghetto” for #theTalk...then I was gone."
Sharon has denied Holly’s allegations, and CBS have since confirmed they are undertaking a review of what has happened.
The network said in a statement: “We are committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace. All matters related to the Wednesday episode of The Talk are currently under internal review.”
Tagged in Leah Remini Sharon Osbourne Sara Gilbert