Cyndi Lauper says Sharon Osbourne is not racist, but she may have “said it wrong” while CBS continues to investigate the toxicity claims on the set of “The Talk.”
“I’ve known her for a long time and I don’t think she’s racist,” the “Girls just want to have fun” singer declared on social media on Thursday.
He added, along with a photo of her and Osbourne hugging, “I understand that you may have said the wrong thing, used the wrong words and acted in ways that have been detrimental to others. You may have even rejected the “But I think she’s sincere in trying to do things right.”
A bomb report released Tuesday cited several sources, including former “The Talk” co-presenter Leah Remini, claiming that Osbourne referred to co-presenter Julie Chen, who is Sino-American, as “wonton” and “tilted eyes.” He allegedly also referred to ex-partner Sara Gilbert, who is a lesbian, as a “licker.”
Last weekend, Holly Robinson Peete, who was a presenter alongside Osbourne on the first season of “The Talk,” also accused the British of saying it was “too ghetto” for the show.
Osbourne denied the allegations and called it a “stack.” She, however apologize for her comments about Piers Morgan after defending her comments about Meghan Markle’s mental health, which sparked a heated air discussion between her and co-presenter Sheryl Underwood.
Lauper went on to say that he could not sit down and say nothing in defense of his friend.
“We all make mistakes,” he said. “We all want to be given a second chance, but no one wants to be given a second. We all want to be forgiven, but no one wants to be forgiven.”
The “Time After Time” singer reiterated again that she believes Osbourne is “sincere” in wanting to change and concluded, “I hope everyone is at least willing to listen to her.”
Fans had mixed feelings about Lauper’s feelings, but most agreed on “not defending this.”
One person wrote, “I love you and yours [sic] able to choose your own friends … but a woman of her age and celebrity knows exactly what is being said … there is no acceptance of racism “.
Another said, “Please understand whether racism is intentional or not … it’s still racism !!! Once you’re old enough to know the difference between what’s right and what’s wrong … already there are no excuses for racist behavior.
Meanwhile, Osbourne’s future in “The Talk” is still up in the air.
CBS’s morning show is stalled as it investigates complaints of racial insensitivity, and there is apparently a game of guilt among producers about who is really responsible for Osbourne and Underwood’s on-air alteration.