'I'm Angry, I'm Hurt': Sharon Osbourne Breaks Silence After Exiting 'The Talk'
Sharon Osbourne has broken her silence on her exit from The Talk.
The 68-year-old got candid on Real Time with Bill Maher on Friday, April 16.
"I'm angry, I'm hurt," she told Maher. "I've been called so many things in my life… but a racist is one thing I will not take."
The controversy began when Osbourne butted heads with her co-hosts after she defended Piers Morgan's freedom of speech after he shared his feelings on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's interview with Oprah Winfrey. After the on-air argument with Sheryl Underwood, a number of allegations came out about Osbourne.
"She's entitled to her opinion, Piers is entitled to his," Osbourne told Maher (Morgan said he did not believe a "word" the Duchess of Sussex told Winfrey). "And that's what it's all about."
"Disagreeing with someone does not make you a racist in my book," she added.
Osbourne told Maher that she "never ever" used a slur when referring to Leah Remini. "I don't even use those words," she said. "They're not in my vocabulary."
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"It's disgruntled ladies," she noted of the former feuds with The Talk hosts.
Osbourne was accused of calling former co-host and executive producer Sara Gilbert, who is a lesbian, a "p***y licker" and "fish eater," and allegedly called Julie Chen a "wonton" with "slanty eyes," according to a report by Yashar Ali. Holly Robinson Peete claimed Osbourne said she was "too ghetto"
Osbourne previously denied the allegations to The Daily Mail, calling them "crap" and said it was a "pile on."
"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," Osbourne posted on social media after the explosive episode of The Talk.
"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."
OK! previously reported that CBS released a statement that the talk show and Osbourne had parted ways. "Sharon Osbourne has decided to leave The Talk," CBS announced. "The events of the March 10 broadcast were upsetting to everyone involved, including the audience watching at home. As part of our review, we concluded that Sharon's behavior toward her co-hosts during the March 10 episode did not align with our values for a respectful workplace.
"We also did not find any evidence that CBS executives orchestrated the discussion or blindsided any of the hosts," the statement continued. "At the same time, we acknowledge the Network and Studio teams, as well as the showrunners, are accountable for what happened during that broadcast as it was clear the co-hosts were not properly prepared by the staff for a complex and sensitive discussion involving race."
The Talk returned on Monday, April 12, after a month-long hiatus with Underwood, Carrie Ann Inaba, Elaine Welteroth and Amanda Kloots. "I thought I was having a conversation with a friend, but also I knew I had to be an example," Underwood said and added that she "didn't want to be perceived as the angry Black woman" and "wanted to remain calm and remain focused."
