Wendy Williams is catching some serious heat from the folks on Twitter after she referred to one of her guests as “Blackie.”
It happened during a recent episode of “The Wendy Williams Show” when she discussed country singer Shania Twain’s past marriage. Twain’s husband cheated on her with her best friend, and it was a huge scandal at the time.
Eventually, Williams asked the studio audience what they thought the singer did in retaliation, and a Black woman in the front row made a punching gesture, to say she would become violent.
“See, come on now, don’t stereotype us, Blackie,” Williams said to the woman. “Don’t do that. You’re too beautiful for that.”
The studio audience chuckled after the remark, but the talk show host continued on with the segment and didn’t seem to notice that she said something that could offend many.
But she later found that out when the Twittersphere let her have it and questioned why she uttered that word.
“Referring to a dark skin girl in your audience as “blackie” is a racial slur,” one person wrote. ‘New to Twitter, but I’m going to get the word out.”
“It stopped my heart for a second,” tweeted someone else after she heard Williams’ remark. “She later referenced the girl’s yellow jacket so that the cameraman could capture the laughter, but that was horrifying.”
Although Williams has legions of Black fans who’ve contributed to her success in radio and television, she’s often angered those same supporters.
Like the time she criticized the NAACP and historically Black colleges when the actor Jesse Williams made a stirring speech at the 2016 BET Awards.
“I would be really offended if there was a school that was known as a historically white college,” said Wendy on her show. “We have historically Black colleges. What if there was the National Organization for White People only? There’s the NAACP.”
Afterward, she was blasted by Roland Martin, who then went on her show to explain why HBCUs were created in the first place.
Williams later apologized for her comments after public outcry, and Chevrolet stopped being one of her sponsors.
The talk show host hasn’t said anything about the backlash over her “blackie” comment, but you can hear her say it at the 24: 00-minute mark. You can also view some of the Twitter conversations underneath that.
The fact that @WendyWilliams claims she doesn’t say the word “Pee”, but u called a woman “Blackie” on your Monday show is crazy! #wendyshow
— Kelcy (@Kelcy69Kelcy) April 24, 2018
Wendy Williams called a person of color in her audience #Blackie. What the is wrong with her? Sad part, I don’t even think she knows she said it. #WendyShow
— Tracy Darity (@TracyLDarity) April 23, 2018
I see Wendy Williams Adam’s apple is showing again ole Robert looking ass had the nerve to call someone ‘blackie’ with that saggy turkey neck bleached skin of her’s bald headed bitch pic.twitter.com/fLSuhhI7bW
— 💕 (@maddisonbel) April 24, 2018
Wendy Williams had the nerve to call a young lady “BLACKIE” what does she see in the mirror. That was ugly and bold.
— angela l. younger (@angelalyounger) April 25, 2018
Wendy Williams calling ppl blackie now wow
— Lie’Rone (@Dzzle_D) April 24, 2018
@WendyWilliams referring to a dark skin girl in your audience as Blackie is a racial slur. New to Twitter but, I’m going to get the word out!!!!
— Edsheena Lofton (@EdsheenaLofton) April 23, 2018
@WendyWilliams “Blackie” just doesn’t sound right. As a black person, when I’m poking fun/whatever @ ANYONE (of any race), I say “Darkie”.
— Sode (@iAm_Mrs_N) May 15, 2017
@WendyWilliams why did you call that woman in the audience Blackie??? 👀With all the L’s in your name you should know better!😑 Here’s another one… #takethisL
— akathexfactor™ (@akathexfactor) April 23, 2018
@WendyWilliams called on her cohosts “blackie” yesterday. WTF. It stopped my heart for a second. She later referenced the girl’s yellow jacket so that the camera man could capture the laughter, but that was horrifying!
— Dani Styles (@DineWithDani) April 24, 2018