The Talk’sElaine Welterothis speaking out after audio was leaked of her consoling former co-hostSharon Osbournefollowing the heated on-air exchange with colleagueSheryl Underwood.
In the audio, theProject Runwayjudge claimed that producers asked for her to initiate the conversation that subsequently turned south.
“They asked me to ask that question. I said, ‘No I’m not going to ask that question,'” Welteroth said to Osbourne in the recording. “I said, ‘Wait, what’s the intention of this conversation? Because this can go left so fast. … I said to them, ‘This is going to be a train wreck.'”
“Sharon I’m just so sorry that went the way that it went,” Welteroth added as Osbourne responded, “Do you know what it is, though? When you have to sit there and defend yourself, it makes you look guilty because you can’t get out of it.”
The recording also captured Welteroth telling Osbourne, “I know you’re upset. I know it was terrible, but I just hope that once this blows over that you know Sheryl is your friend. She really is your friend. She doesn’t think you’re racist. I don’t think you’re racist. No one who knows you would ever say that or feed that.”
Replied Osbourne: “But why couldn’t she have said, ‘I’ve known you for 11 years, I know you are not racist,’ instead of ‘I don’t think you are, no, I know you aren’t.’ There’s a huge difference.”
Reps for Welteroth andThe Talkdid not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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Welteroth said in her statement toETthat she initially refrained from publicly addressing the controversy surrounding Osbourne, but “I reluctantly wade into this now simply to ensure that, as a Black woman, I am not silenced or side-lined,” she explained.
She continued, “To set the record straight, it was not a hot mic — I was unlawfully recorded without consent. And I never filed a complaint with HR against Sharon Osbourne or anyone else. I am disheartened, however, that my kindness has been taken out of context and weaponized in an attempt to absolve responsibility for someone else’s actions. I was honored to joinThe Talkto add my voice to important and lively conversations. I am so excited about the next chapter with our new co-hostJerry O’Connelland I am grateful for the new perspectives he will bring to the show.”
Randee St. Nicholas/CBS via Getty (2)
During the infamous March episode, Osbourne got into an intense exchange with Underwood, 57, as she voiced her support for Morgan, 56. On his own former show,Good Morning Britain, Morgan questioned the validity of Markle’s revelationsabout her mental healthduring herinterview with Oprah Winfrey.
At the time, CBS placedThe Talkon an extended hiatus beforeannouncing Osbourne’s exiton March 26. The seriesreturned without heron April 12.
On Wednesday, Jerry O’Connell was announced asThe Talk’snewest co-host.
source: people.com
