Sharon Osbourne Accused of Using Racial, Homophobic Language at ‘The Talk’
Sharon Osbourne has been accused of using racial and homophobic language during her time at CBS’ The Talk.
These new accusations come via a report from journalist Yashar Ali and follows news that the long-running talk show will extend its hiatus another week through March 23.
The hiatus stems from a heated exchange on the show’s March 10 episode between Osbourne and fellow co-host Sheryl Underwood where Osbourne was defending Piers Morgan following his remarks about Meghan Markle. Morgan claimed that Markle was lying about being suicidal and dealing with racism as a member of the British Royal Family.
Ali’s report states that Osbourne “…would frequently refer to then-co-host Julie Chen, who is Chinese American, as ‘wonton’ and ‘slanty eyes,’ according to multiple sources, including former co-host Leah Remini.” Remini spoke to Ali on the record. Ali’s report also says that “Osbourne also referred to former co-host and executive producer Sara Gilbert, who is a lesbian, as ‘p—- licker’ and ‘fish eater,’ according to multiple sources including Remini.”
Ali states that his extensive report “…is based on conversations with 11 sources who spoke to me in 2018 and again in recent days about remarks Osbourne has made over the years. Almost all of the sources declined to speak on the record because they fear career retribution, signed a nondisclosure or non-disparagement agreement, or aren’t authorized to speak to the press by their current employers. (Some background: In 2018, I began investigating the circumstances behind the unceremonious exits in 2011 of The Talk co-hosts Holly Robinson Peete and Remini. It was part of a look into the leadership of CBS chief executive Les Moonves, who in September of that year would be forced to resign following more than a dozen accusations of sexual misconduct.)”
Ali quoted Remini’s account of Osbourne’s slur usage writing, “According to Remini, in one exchange during the first season, Osbourne said of Chen: ‘I mean, who the f— does slanty eyes think she is? She shouldn’t be pillow-talking with our boss.’ In another exchange, according to Remini, Osbourne said of Gilbert: ‘Why won’t the p—- licker do anything about the wonton?’ and ‘Why won’t the fish eater be part of this discussion? She’s the f—ing executive producer.'”
Ali also reported, “Remini also says that Osbourne would refer to her as a WOP and Guinea which are ethnic slurs used against Italians. Remini says she deeply regrets not saying anything about Osbourne’s remarks at the time, either in response or afterward in public statements to the press. ‘Not only did I do nothing about the racism and bullying I was receiving and witnessing, I was party to it,’ Remini said. ‘I had to own up to my own ugly.'”
