Wendy Williams received some serious backlash this week for some comments she made about recent Golden-Globe-winner Joaquin Phoenix. During the Hot Topics segment of The Wendy Williams Show, the controversial TV host was describing how she finds Joaquin "oddly attractive" after defending Beyoncé for not standing up when he won for "Best Actor" at the award show. Wendy was describing his physical features, which resulted in a joke at his expense about his cleft palate scar. "When he shaves off his mustache, he's got a hairline fracture, he's got one of those — what do you call it? Cleft lip, cleft palate," she told the audience. She then proceeded to hook her finger over her top lip in order to imitate the birth defect. Watch the clip below (11:14).
Wendy was criticized by many activists and celebrities for her insensitive comments about people with cleft palates. British TV personality and ambassador for the Cleft Lip and Palate Association, tweeted that she was "disgusted" by Wendy and called her joke "disgraceful."
Pop icon, Cher, also took to Twitter to express her outrage, speaking about the pain children go through who are afflicted by the condition.
Canadian football player Adam Bighill, whose baby boy Beau just underwent cleft palate repair surgery, joined the ranks of those upset about Wendy's comments, claiming that they "clearly promote bullying."
After hearing the public's reactions, Wendy issued an apology, speaking directly to Adam on Twitter about his son and revealing that she'd made donations to cleft palate organizations. Adam forgave Wendy and expressed his gratitude for her acts of generosity.
However, Cher did not buy the apology, and remained infuriated at Wendy's actions.
Wendy Williams Under Fire For Mocking Joaquin Phoenix’s Cleft Palate
A lot of people aren't feeling Wendy Williams' comments about Joaquin Phoenix’s cleft palate.
Wendy Williams is catching some heat for making comments about Joaquin Phoenix's cleft palate on a recent episode of her daytime television talk show, The Wendy Williams Show. This particular episode aired on Jan. 7 during Wendy's 'Hot Topics' segment where she came to Beyonce's defense for refusing to stand during the announcement of Phoenix's Golden Globes Best Actor Award acceptance speech.
In the segment, Williams jokingly teases Phoenix about his condition stating, "When he shaves off his mustache he’s got a hairline fracture,” she said. “He’s got one of those — what do you call it? Cleft lip, cleft palate."
Williams followed up her comment by hooking her finger over her top lip in order to imitate the somewhat common birth defect. Now, nearly a week later, fans and activists are making an uproar about Williams' taunting comments that affect children around the globe.
British celebrity, Carol Vorderman, 59, who also happens to be an ambassador for the Cleft Lip and Palate Association, Tweeted out her disdain for Williams’ comments saying, "I really am disgusted by this @wendywilliams.. Mimicking a cleft lip, and making a joke about it, is disgraceful. Have you any idea the pain and operations a child with cleft must go through as they grow?"
While the Joker star has never formally addressed his cleft lip scar, it's more than likely not an ailment for the award-winning actor who is currently celebrating the success as his role as one of Batman's nemeses. Check out the segment where Wendy Williams goes in on Joaquin Phoenix's cleft lip at the 11:15 mark in the video provided below.
