Black people are no strangers to racism, as many have been on the receiving end of racist treatment or racist remarks. But for some reason, it hits different when it comes from beloved actors and entertainers who we’d like to believe know better. And it especially touches a nerve when it’s celebs we liked.
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As tributes poured in after the recent death of wrestler Hulk Hogan, we couldn’t help but think about his complicated legacy that includes racist comments along with championship wrestling titles.
We’re looking at some of the white celebrities we’ve loved who didn’t always love us back.
Hulk Hogan
While many are remembering late wrestler Hulk Hogan for his antics in the ring, it’s hard to ignore the fact that he’s done a lot of questionable things in the eyes of Black folks, including saying the N-word.
In 2015, audio leaked of a conversation Hogan had discussing his disapproval of his daughter dating Black men, in which he used the N-word several times.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Hogan admitted to using the slur and called it “one huge mistake.”
Mel Gibson
Actor Mel Gibson crossed the line in 2010 when audio was released of a violent message he left for his ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva, during a custody battle over their daughter. Gibson’s rant was full of offensive language, including the N-word.
“You look like a pig in heat, and if you get raped by a pack of n*s, it will be your fault,” he said at the time.
Leon Jinkins, former president of the Los Angeles chapter of the NAACP, issued a statement condemning Gibson’s comments at the time, writing:
“No amount of words will change his image as an out-of-date and out-of-control racist.”
Michael Richards
Best known for his role as Kramer on the hit sitcom “Seinfeld,” actor Michael Richards found himself at the center of scrutiny after he responded to hecklers during a stand-up performance at a New York City club in the worst possible way – shouting the N-word at a group of Black audience members.
Richards said his rant came from a place of rage, writing in his memoir “Entrances and Exits” that he made a decision to cancel himself after his outburst.
“I took myself out. You don’t need to take me out, I’ll take myself out — I’ll save you the trouble,” he wrote. “I’m pulling back from the community…I need to get into soul work, OK? I need to get into myself more to know thyself, so I’m taking myself out of the situation.”
Paula Deen
Chef and television personality Paula Deen is known for her Southern cooking. But she’s known for making racist statements as well.
In 2013, Deen and her brother were sued for sexual and racial workplace discrimination by one of her former restaurant managers. During her deposition, the chef admitted to using the N-word and saying that she wanted a “plantation-style wedding” with waiters dressed as slaves.
“Well what I would really like is a bunch of little n—–s to wear long-sleeve white shirts, black shorts and black bow ties, you know in the Shirley Temple days, they used to tap dance around.” Paula Deen laughed and said “Now that would be a true southern wedding, wouldn’t it? But we can’t do that because the media would be on me about that,” transcripts from the deposition read.
Paris Hilton
Heiress and entrepreneur Paris Hilton has been called out for offensive statements she’s made about gay people and Jewish people. In his book, “Everyone Loves You When You’re Dead,” author Neil Strauss described an awful statement Hilton shared with him about Black men, writing.
“I can’t stand Black guys. I would never touch one. It’s gross.”
Dog the Bounty Hunter
Duane Chapman is known to many as “Dog the Bounty Hunter.” But his show got the axe after a phone conversation in which he used the N-word to describe a Black woman his son was dating was released to the public.
Roseanne Barr
Actress Roseanne Barr got herself cancelled, literally in 2018 when she referred to aide to former President Barack Obama Valerie Jarrett as a product of the Muslim Brotherhood and “Planet of the Apes” in a post on X. In an interview after the incident, Barr said she didn’t know Jarrett was Black and claimed that she was taking sleep medication when she dropped the racist post.
“I should have known better. I should have not done it. And I caused a lot of pain, and I know that, and that’s the worst feeling in the world,” she said in an apology.
John Wayne
In 2020, The University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts decided to remove an exhibit dedicated to actor John Wayne after past racist remarks resurfaced.
“I believe in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility,” the actor said in a 1971 interview with Playboy. “I don’t believe in giving authority and positions of leadership and judgment to irresponsible people.”
Anthony Horowitz
In 2015, James Bond author Anthony Horowitz issued an apology after saying in an interview that he thought actor Idris Elba was “too street” to play the next 007. He tried to walk back his comments after the fact saying that he was thinking about Elba’s gritty character in the hit series “Luther.”
In a post on X, Horowitz called it a “poor choice of word” and said he was “mortified” that his statement was caused offense.
Giuiliana Rancic
We know the E! commenters aren’t always nice when they’re working the red carpet, but former “Fashion Police” host Giuliana Rancic really crossed the line after she made comments about dreadlocks Zendaya wore to the 2015 Oscars, saying she looked like she looked like “she smells like patchouli oil and weed.”
Zendaya kept it classy, calling Rancic’s remarks “ignorant” at the time.
Abby Lee Miller
“Dance Moms” star Abby Lee Miller was called out by the parent of one of her dancers for making racist comments. According to Adriana Smith, mother of Kamryn Smith, Miller was way out of line on several occasions making racist statements like, “I know you grew up in the HOOD with only a box of 8 crayons, but I grew up in the Country Cub with a box of 64 – don’t be stupid” and saying that the reasonshe was there was because “they need a sprinkle of color.”
Miller apologized to Kamryn, Adriana and “others her comments may have “anyone else I’ve hurt,” and promised to “educate herself” and “do better.”
Tim Allen
The Black community has a complicated relationship with actor and comedian Tim Allen. The “Home Improvement” star has made some comments that deserve a side-eye, including his insistence that saying “the N-word” is worse than using the actual term and saying that he doesn’t understand that it’s one word white people just shouldn’t use.
“I’ve had this argument on stage a million times. I do a movie with Martin Lawrence and pretty soon they’re referring to me, ‘hey, my n*, what’s up,’” he said. “So I’m the n* if I’m around you guys but seven feet away, if I said n*, it’s not right.”
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