Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Kathy Hilton is facing backlash on Twitter following her appearance on Wednesday night’s episode of See what’s happening live.
While participating in a game called Will! Kathy! Know Them!?, starring Andy Cohen and Crystal Kung Minkoff, the 63-year-old reality star was shown a picture of Lizzo.
When asked if she knew the 34-year-old Grammy winner’s name, the mother-of-four replied, “I feel like… precious?”
Unbelievable: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kathy Hilton faces backlash on Twitter after her appearance on Wednesday night’s episode of Watch What Happens Live
To viewers’ dismay, the response caused Cohen, 54, and Costar, 38, to burst out laughing, though many social media users believed the flub had racist undertones.
In an attempt to make the moment less awkward, Minkoff turned to her pal and said, “She has value though, Lizzo has value.”
“That’s what I call her,” added Kathy, who also couldn’t identify Justin Timberlake or Dwayne Johnson. “Her nickname is Precious to me.”
Confused: While participating in a game called Will! Kathy! Know Them!?, starring Andy Cohen and Crystal Kung Minkoff, the 63-year-old reality star was shown a picture of Lizzo
Very mistaken: When asked if she knew the 34-year-old Grammy winner’s name, the mother-of-four replied, “I feel like me… Classy?”
Artist; Lizzo (L) is a three-time Grammy winner, while Gabourey Sidibe (R) is best known for her 2009 drama Precious
Hilton was apparently referring to Gabourey Sidibe’s starring role in the 2009 drama, Precious, which earned her a Golden Globe and Oscar nomination.
Twitter was inundated with frustrated fans wondering why Hilton didn’t just say she didn’t know.
“It doesn’t matter if she didn’t know who she was or if her intention was ‘harmless’, calling a plus-size black woman ‘valuable’ is an insult. She still decided to speak out about her weight [eye roll emoji]’ yelled one viewer.
Another tweeted: “If Kathy Hilton thought Lizzo was precious (a fictional character from a film adapted from a book of the same name) then she is either: 1. a liar. 2. A lying idiot 3. Racist. 4. A lying, racist idiot.”
“If Kathy Hilton thought Lizzo was Precious (a fictional character from a film adapted from a book of the same name) then she is either: 1. A liar. 2. A lying idiot 3. Racist. 4. A lying racist idiot,” fired one Twitter user
Outraged: Another wrote: “KATHY HILTON JUST CALLED LIZZO ‘VALUABLE’. SHE NEEDS HER A** OUCH
Others pointed out that there was “absolutely nothing” funny about Hilton calling Lizzo “Precious.”
“It was so problematic and not funny at all. Also, Lizzo is more famous than anyone else in the Hilton family…never mind Kathy,” wrote one Twitter user
Stirring up controversy: Social media was flooded with angry tweets about Hilton’s mistake
“Kathy Hilton identifying Lizzo as Precious is really low,” wrote another
Not ok: One woman fired: ‘I understand she’s giddy and it’s funny at times, but that was just rude and disrespectful. I can kind of understand why Lisa Rinna was being so hard now.
“That Kathy Hilton clip screwed up and you all know it. Lizzo minds her own business, but people only make fun of her and this time it wasn’t even on purpose. This time she caught a stray and I wish someone would have showed up and said something,” wrote another.
Others pointed out that there was “absolutely nothing” funny about Hilton calling Lizzo “Precious.”
One woman fired: “I understand she’s giddy and it’s funny at times, but that was just rude and disrespectful. I can kind of understand why Lisa Rinna was being so hard now.
Yikes: In a bid to make the moment less awkward, Minkoff turned to her pal and said, “She’s valuable, though, Lizzo is valuable.”
“That’s what I call her,” added Kathy, who also couldn’t identify Justin Timberlake or Dwayne Johnson. “Your nickname is precious to me”