Ripa Calls 'View' About 'Homophobic' Comment

POSTED: 7:50 am CST November 22, 2006

CLEVELAND -- Rosie O'Donnell, co-host of "The View," said Tuesday she was offended as a homosexual after Kelly Ripa made a comment about not knowing where Clay Aiken's hand had been during a recent show.

Survey: Ripa's Comment About Aiken Homophobic?

The comment stemmed from an incident on the "Regis and Kelly" show while Aiken was guest co-hosting. During the show, Aiken put his hand over Ripa's mouth while she was conducting an interview with the winners of "Dancing With The Stars."


O'Donnell said she didn't believe that Ripa would have responded in the same manner if the visiting co-host had been someone considered heterosexual, such as Mario Lopez or a "straight man or a cute man."

When Aiken put his hand over Ripa's mouth, she said "that's a no-no. I don't know where that hand has been, honey."

It seemed as if Ripa was on the phone within minutes to the show Tuesday.


"It's downright outrageous," Ripa said. "I never asked him about his sexuality."


Ripa, a mother of three, said she took issue with Aiken's hand over her mouth because it is flu season and he had shaken hands with many fans.


"To imply that it is anything homophobic is outrageous, Rosie, and you know better," she said. "You should be more responsible."

O'Donnell didn't back down off her stance.

"I have to tell you from where I sit as a gay person in the world I have to tell you that's how it came off to me," O'Donnell said.

Ripa said it never occurred to her that how she responded to Aiken's hand over her mouth would be viewed as homophobic, because the act was "outrageous, out of line and disrespectful."

Ripa said she took issue with what happened but "it's water under the bridge" to her now.

That's silly.

ANYBODY who puts their nasty hands over my mouth would get he same comment.







and is Aiken gay?

Good greif. Poor Kelly. I love this lady. And look at her character. The girl was kidding and then people have to make a big deal out of it.

That Rosie is a bully.

AsianBomb777 said:

and is Aiken gay?

CarrieMpls said:

AsianBomb777 said:

That's silly.

ANYBODY who puts their nasty hands over my mouth would get he same comment.

and is Aiken gay?

I don't know if he's out, which is why Rosie may be in more troubleover this than anyone.

AsianBomb777 said:

CarrieMpls said:

I don't know if he's out, which is why Rosie may be in more troubleover this than anyone.

:faloff:

Well, he kind of looks like a butch lesbian who's lipstick lesbian's girlfriend is forcing her to look "softer". But I didn't know he was actually gay.







I realize now that I'm going to be in trouble for what I just said.

CarrieMpls said:

AsianBomb777 said:

:faloff:

Well, he kind of looks like a butch lesbian who's lipstick lesbian's girlfriend is forcing her to look "softer". But I didn't know he was actually gay.







I realize now that I'm going to be in trouble for what I just said.

omg, I thought you were being funny.
I guess I don't know if he's gay either. Maybe I'm the offensive one.

ROSIE

put your hand near my mouth, you get a fist in the eye.

rosie needs to tame down her mrs. vorhees (jason's mother ) act. you're gay--we get it--keep it moving.

Talk about putting 2 and 2 together and getting 8. Sheesh...

DanceWme said:

ROSIE

luv4all7 said:

DanceWme said:

ROSIE

That bitter stupid haired bitch!! She better leave Kelly alone!

Kelly breastfed!!

i can understand Rosie's sensitivities, especially since she and Clay Aiken seem to be close.

and i can understand how Kelly was offended by the insinuation that she's a homophobe - i doubt she meant it that way.



let the girls kiss, make up and move on to more important issues.

So essentially did Rosie out Clay with the comment? What Kelly said was stupid, in the sense that her voice had enough "wink, wink" to imply something. But damn if Rosie didn't just throw him out of the closet.

That was awkward to watch.

Clay Aiken just screams "closet pervert", when Kelly said that, I also thought it was more of a sex related comment than anything. Not specifically a gay thing, but just that Clay is creepy and, well he comes off as a pervert. I wouldn't want his hand near my mouth either.

Rosie kinda jumped the gun though calling Kelly's comments "homophobic". I think she's reading too much into it. What if it was a gay man in Kelly Rippas place, and he made those comments, would Rosie call it homophobic then? Or just laugh?

Either way, Clay was totally disrespectful to even do something like that, he's a GUEST on the show for christs sake.

funkpill said:

O'Donnell didn't back down off her stance.

"I have to tell you from where I sit as a gay person in the world I have to tell you that's how it came off to me," O'Donnell said.

Ripa said it never occurred to her that how she responded to Aiken's hand over her mouth would be viewed as homophobic, because the act was "outrageous, out of line and disrespectful."

Ripa said she took issue with what happened but "it's water under the bridge" to her now.

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Tom said:

What right does Rosie have in discussing Clay's sexual orientation when he chooses not to address it himself?

Or has he actually talked about it himself?

JustErin said:

Gawd, people like this tear me up. Rosies just pissed cuz she's not America's sweetheart anymore and Kelly, IS.

That jerk!

GottaLetitgo said:

AsianBomb777 said:

GottaLetitgo said:

That's what I'm saying. Rosie is referring to Clay's sexual preference like it's common knowledege. Did I miss a People magazine article?

He's never admitted to being gay.

I think he once mentioned that some gay/lesbian organization asked him to host a parade or something, but he make reference to the fact that it had to be a joke or that he was confused as to why they would.

GottaLetitgo said:

AsianBomb777 said:

He's never admitted to being gay.

I think he once mentioned that some gay/lesbian organization asked him to host a parade or something, but he make reference to the fact that it had to be a joke or that he was confused as to why they would.

Everyone is trying to nudge him out, if that is indeed the case. Larry King made like 10 references to his sexuality and Clay just looked all awkward and uncomfortable. Rosie's comments in defending her friend may have done him more harm then good, at least in his eyes, if he is trying to shield the teenage girls from dreaming about being "Mrs. Clay Aiken".

GottaLetitgo said:

AsianBomb777 said:

He's never admitted to being gay.

I think he once mentioned that some gay/lesbian organization asked him to host a parade or something, but he make reference to the fact that it had to be a joke or that he was confused as to why they would.

Everyone is trying to nudge him out, if that is indeed the case. Larry King made like 10 references to his sexuality and Clay just looked all awkward and uncomfortable. Rosie's comments in defending her friend may have done him more harm then good, at least in his eyes, if he is trying to shield the teenage girls from dreaming about being "Mrs. Clay Aiken".

If Clay had a problem with it, he should have said so (and that doesn't mean that it should have been handled publicly).

Rosie needs to keep her giant mouth shut about it, especially since she has taken it upon herself to "out" her friend.

JustErin said:

IrresistibleB1tch said:

i can understand Rosie's sensitivities, especially since she and Clay Aiken seem to be close.

and i can understand how Kelly was offended by the insinuation that she's a homophobe - i doubt she meant it that way.



let the girls kiss, make up and move on to more important issues.

GottaLetitgo said:

cborgman said:

luv4all7 said:

GottaLetitgo said:

Everyone is trying to nudge him out, if that is indeed the case. Larry King made like 10 references to his sexuality and Clay just looked all awkward and uncomfortable. Rosie's comments in defending her friend may have done him more harm then good, at least in his eyes, if he is trying to shield the teenage girls from dreaming about being "Mrs. Clay Aiken".

Stop trying to make this about stupid Clay you guys.

It's about Kelly!