Wendy Williams has found herself in huge amount of controversy this past week after mocking a cleft lip on her talkshow.
Instagram | @wendywilliams
Wendy Williams Breaks Her Silence After Viral Joaquin Phoenix Cleft Lip Comments Cause Backlash
Last Week, Wendy was discussing Joaquin Phoneix, who she describes as "oddly attractive."
YouTube | The Wendy Williams Show
She then goes on to talk about his cleft lip: "And when he shaves off his moustache he’s got a hairline fracture. He’s got one of those... what do you call it? Cleft lip palette."
She then proceeds to lift up the corner of her mouth with her finger to mimic a cleft lip for several seconds while the audience laughs.
YouTube | The Wendy Williams Show
Twitter was beyond upset with Wendy's comments, and the topic was trending for days.
According to the Cleft Lip & Palate Association, a cleft lip/palate is the most common craniofacial abnormality that babies can be born with.
In fact, one in 700 babies are born with a cleft!
The CLAPA website reads: "In early pregnancy, different parts of a baby’s face develop separately and then join together. If some parts do not join properly, the baby is born with a cleft."
"Most of the time, a cleft is caused by genetic and environmental factors coming together in a way which can’t be predicted or prevented."
Twitter users with a cleft have been speaking out on Twitter and sharing their stories and experiences.
Twitter | @its_Krisandra
"Are you kidding me??? We all have a responsibility to #EndBullying," wrote football player Adam Bighill.
Bighill began asking Wendy for an apology daily on Twitter.
Wendy has finally broke her silence on the topic nearly 10 days since the video went viral.
In a tweet addressed to Bighill, Wendy wrote that she'd like to apologize to the cleft community.
The reactions on social media are mixed, with many feeling the tweet is too little, too late.
She also did not directly apologize to Joaquin, who the "joke" was about in the first place.
Getty Images | Steve Granitz
This controversy has raised awareness about the cleft lip community and how SO NOT OKAY it is to ever mock someone's genetic condition.
Does an aplogy make up for Wendy's actions? Cher doesn't think so.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!
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