https://youtu.be/w10JN-90Ku0?t=2m44s
A comment about The Clark Sisters that took just seconds to make on “The Wendy Williams Show” Tuesday led to a day’s worth of backlash for the talk show host.
Wendy Williams had been discussing Snoop Dogg’s album “Words Are Few” becoming No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and wondered what Grammy-winning The Clark Sisters made of the achievement.
“I was just thinking if I was a gospel artist or a group or something, like if I were The Clark Sisters, would I be mad that Snoop got no. 1?” Williams asks on April 17. “The Clark Sisters, they’ve been doing gospel forever. Have they gotten a no. 1? Oh, well. Step up your game. Or something.”
Immediately, Williams was met with criticism from artists and fans of the gospel group who raced to defend sisters Twinkie, Jacky, Denise, Dorinda and Karen who are collectively credited with bringing the genre into the mainstream.
“I would be nothing without the CLARK SISTERS,” tweeted Kirk Franklin Wednesday, April 18 of the 1966-established group. “I’m not even in the same category. I’m just now getting to where they started. Salute.”
“These women have done more than number 1 on the charts,” Kierra Sheard, daughter of Karen, fired off on Instagram. “Their lives have matched what they sing about. Somehow they’ve managed to sing about #Jesus in one of the smallest, but most effective genres of music, have influenced masses and influenced those who influence the masses. In addition, they’ve managed to take their message to some of the world’s most [sic] biggest platforms and their message still translates through generations.”
She added the sisters “managed to genuinely pray and show concern for you, when YOU passed out; while the world waited for your demise,” referring to Williams’ scary on-air fall last year.
“Be careful who you come for. Not everyone is worth it!!” Sheard concluded. “This is a different caliber of people. We pray you have peace of mind and successful rest.”
“#LEGENDS @wendyshow you should get facts before you open your mouth about the greats!” singer Jabari Johnson said on IG. “Especially the ones that prayed for you when you had your little episode on TV. Humble yourself bruh!”
“WATCH IT WENDY,” singer Kim Burrell posted in part on Instagram after co-signing what TV personality and influencer GooGoo Atkins posted.
“@wendyshow you owe these legends a HUGE apology,” Atkins wrote in part. “YOU don’t know them because they don’t live messy scandalous lives and that’s ALL YOU know and seem to care about. But to disrespect and disregard ALL that they have accomplished in music (all genres), and further suggest jealousy was tasteless, IGNORANT, disrespectful and uncalled for.”
“Wow, so @WendyWilliams dissed The Clark Sisters and clearly didn’t realize how legendary they truly are,” a fan tweeted. “🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️ Or how many #1 hits they actually DO have. Lord, she needed to do a little more research before speaking on them smh.”
Another tweeted, “@WendyWilliams really has to do a better job of being properly informed about her topics. she basically just disrespected The Clark Sisters and alluded that they should be jealous of Snoop’s #1 gospel album. meanwhile, THEY’RE ON IT.”
When the Mother of the Church roll up on Wendy Williams when she heard she was talking about The Clark Sisters oowee! pic.twitter.com/NKbhAxr6Mw
— D.T. (@Darlene26811165) April 18, 2018
