Kathy Hilton of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” blames poor eyesight as the reason her singer Lizzo was mistaken for the title character in the 2009 film “Precious.”
In light of the criticism she faced for the mistake, Hilton wrote in the comments section of her Instagram account @QueensofBravo: “The screen was so far away and my vision is terrible. If you remember, I didn’t even to be able to figure out who Justin Timberlake or Melissa Etheridge was.”
Lizzo didn’t seem fazed by Hilton’s mistake or the backlash that followed, posting vacation photos on Twitter Thursday with the caption: “Meanwhile…”
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Kathy Hilton of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” is being called fat and racist online for mistaking singer Lizzo for the title character in the 2009 film “Precious.” During her appearance on Andy Cohen’s “Watch What Happens Live” on Wednesday, Hilton was tasked with guessing who an on-screen celebrity was in a game called “Will Kathy Know Them?”
Hilton, 63, guessed incorrectly numerous times, failing to accurately identify Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson or Justin Timberlake. However, awkwardness ensued when Cohen pulled out a photo of Grammy winner Lizzo. “I feel like… Beautiful?” Hilton guessed. The response prompted Cohen and Hilton’s “Housewives” co-star Crystal Kung Minkoff, who was also a guest on Wednesday’s show, to burst out laughing.
KATHY ☠️!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #WWHL #RHOBH #lizzo #precious pic.twitter.com/fsT7Ny1gLQ
— 〰️ (@misspettylamarr) August 11, 2022
Hilton likely mistook Lizzo, 34, for the titular character played by Gabourey Sidibe in the 2009 Oscar-winning drama “Precious.” However, it’s also possible that he may have also mistaken the singer for 32-year-old model Precious Lee. Minkoff, 39, tried to make amends for the mistake, addressing Hilton to say: “But she’s beautiful. Lizzo is beautiful.”
“That’s how I call her,” Hilton added. “Her nickname is Precious, to me.”
Lizzo’s fans quickly reacted on Twitter, criticizing Hilton for comparing Lizzo to another plus-size black public figure. Among them were E! host Nina Parker, who wrote on Twitter: “Black women are not here to be the butt of your jokes.”
Black women are not here to be the butt of your jokes. TF is that??? https://t.co/y92UynTdkF
— Nina Parker (@theninaparker) August 11, 2022
Internet personality Kalen Allen also chimed in, tweeting: “When ‘Precious’ came out, a lot of people used the character’s name as a derogatory label to feed their fatphobia and to bully. So no, I don’t think it is Funny how Lizzo, who was taking care of her house, had to watch Precious’ name in front of millions of people on live TV.”
When Precious came out, many people used the character’s name as a derogatory label to fuel their fatphobia and to bully. So no, I don’t think it’s funny that Lizzo, who was taking care of her house, had to watch herself say Precious in front of millions on live TV.
— Kalen Allen (@TheKalenAllen) August 11, 2022
Another tweeted: “It’s fatphobia and racism to me. Because her and Gabby look NOTHING alike, but also to call her beautiful, like she’s a real person and not a character. Lizzo needs to curse all these mf”.
For me it’s fatphobia and racism. Because she and Gabby look NOTHING alike, but also to call her beautiful, like she’s a real person and not a character. Lizzo must curse all these mf. https://t.co/HrxmDBQqzJ
— Uncle Johnny Handmade Dress (@afrovocative) August 11, 2022
Some came to Hilton’s defense, calling her mistake an honest mistake. “Everyone needs to calm down because Kathy is calling Lizzo Precious. The woman didn’t recognize anyone,” one fan tweeted.
Everyone has to calm down because Kathy calls Lizzo Precious. The woman did not recognize anyone. #RHOBH #WWHL
— Diane (@Diane93997165) August 11, 2022
“Supermodel Precious Lee and music artist Lizzo are gorgeous women who look strikingly alike,” wrote another. “@KathyHilton was not disrespecting any of these icons, but Crystal & @Andy’s prolonged laughter was petty and childish.”
Supermodel Precious Lee and music artist Lizzo are gorgeous women who look strikingly alike. @KathyHilton wasn’t disrespecting any of these icons, but Crystal & @Andy’s prolonged laughter was mean and childish. #RHOBH pic.twitter.com/vWDyZKhlBf
— Get me off this fucking planet (@GMOTFP) August 11, 2022
Lizzo, Lee and Sidibe have all publicly commented on Hilton’s interview.