Sharon Osbourne Repeatedly Used Racial Slurs as She Denied Claims of Being Racist Against 'the Talk' Co-Host Julie Chen

Osbourne had also come under criticism for her defense of Piers Morgan over his comments against Meghan Markle.

Image source: Getty Images/Photo by Frazer Harrison

By WomenWorking Correspondent

March 18, 2021

Posted March 18, 2021

The Talk host Sharon Osbourne has been accused of using racial slurs against co-host Julie Chen and bullying her. Osbourne allegedly referred to Chen as "wonton" and "slanty eyes," according to a report by journalist Yashar Ali. He cited multiple sources to back up his claims including another former The Talk co-host, Leah Remini. Osbourne's comments gain particular significance in the wake of a 21-year-old man shooting eight people dead at three Asian spas in Atlanta, in what is suspected to be a targeted hate crime against Asians. The allegations against Osbourne come just days after CBS announced it was putting The Talk on hold following her defense of Piers Morgan following his vicious attacks on Meghan Markle including questioning the authenticity in discussing her mental health struggles. Days later, Osbourne had apologized for her "panicked" remarks on air.

Osbourne denied the report in an interview with Daily Mail but repeatedly used racial slurs in the process. Osbourne called the claims "crap, all crap," before claiming everyone was baselessly targeting her. "Everyone's got an opinion or a story like the 'wonton story'. It's like f--- off with your f------ wonton story. F--- off! Of course, it's a pile-on. People want to add fuel to the fire and it comes with the territory and that's fine," said Osbourne. The Talk show host's publicist, Howard Bragman, also denied the allegations.

Image credit: Getty Images | Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for The People's Choice Awards

CBS released a statement in the wake of the allegations. "CBS is committed to a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace across all of our productions," said the network's representative in a statement, reported People. "We're also very mindful of the important concerns expressed and discussions taking place regarding events on The Talk. This includes a process where all voices are heard, claims are investigated and appropriate action is taken where necessary." The Talk airs live at 2 p.m. ET on weekdays, and features co-hosts Carrie Ann Inaba, Amanda Kloots, and Elaine Welteroth.

I’m old enough to remember when Sharon complained that I was too “ghetto” for #theTalk...then I was gone💨
I bring this up now bc I was mortified watching the disrespectful condescending tone she took w/her co host who remained calm & respectful because...she HAD to🤦🏽‍♀️ 🤷🏽‍♀️#fbf https://t.co/7pnCnhM5rf pic.twitter.com/CXR4DzvlEZ
— Holly Robinson Peete😷🥰 (@hollyrpeete) March 12, 2021

Holly Robinson Peete, a former co-host of the daytime talk show, said in 2011 that Osbourne had complained she was "too ghetto." Peete said it played a role in her eventual departure from the show. In Ali's report, Remini claims Osbourne had "tried to persuade [Remini] to join her in ousting Robinson Peete as a co-host." She reportedly told Remini that Peete "wasn't a good person, not to trust her and that we should find 'another Black person who is funny.'" Peete and Remini ended up being fired from the show at the end of season 1 at Osbourne's direction, multiple sources told Ali. Peete backed up the report and tweeted, "I'm old enough to remember when Sharon complained that I was too 'ghetto' for #theTalk... then I was gone." Osbourne had also allegedly referred to former co-host and executive producer Sara Gilbert, who is homosexual, as "p---- licker" and a "fish eater", according to Ali's report.

Chosun Ilbo is a leading daily newspaper in South Korea. If the below article is correct, the mass shooting of six Asian women in the Atlanta area was a targeted hate crime.#StopAsianHate https://t.co/zsYrE5fLDm
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) March 17, 2021

The shooting in Atlanta has put the focus on hate crimes against Asians in America. While the police claimed that the shooter had a "bad day" and was trying to "eliminate" his sex addiction by attacking the spas, Chosun Ilbo, a leading daily newspaper in South Korea, claimed the shooter targeted them because they were Asian. Chosun Ilbo cites eyewitnesses and claims the suspect shouted, "I am going to kill all Asians" as he shot the victims. It later came to light that the police officer who denied it was a hate crime was guilty of promoting racist stereotypes against Asians. Many prominent Republican leaders, including Donald Trump, have been under scrutiny for blaming China for the Coronavirus and constantly referring to it as the "China virus". A study based on police department statistics across major U.S. cities found that there was nearly a 150% surge in anti-Asian hate crimes in 2020, while overall hate crimes fell by 7%.