Gabourey Sidibe Addresses Kathy Hilton's Lizzo Mix-Up

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Actress Gabourey Sidibe has finally addressed Kathy Hilton's 2022 mix-up where the reality star confused Sidibe with singer Lizzo during a celebrity photo guessing game on "Watch What Happens Live." Sidibe said the mistake was "weird and tinged with racism" since she has been confused for "many a Black fat" woman before. Sidibe noted she had previously met with Hilton, making the mix-up even stranger.

Why it matters

Sidibe's comments highlight the ongoing issue of racial insensitivity and the tendency to conflate Black public figures, even when they have distinct careers and appearances. The incident sparked backlash at the time, with Hilton later apologizing and citing her poor eyesight as the reason for the mistake.

The details

During the 2022 "Watch What Happens Live" episode, Hilton was shown a photo of Lizzo and remarked, "I feel like I do [know her]. [Is that] Precious?" referring to Sidibe's breakout role. Sidibe, who was nominated for an Oscar for her work in the 2009 film "Precious", said she found the mix-up "weird" since she had previously met with Hilton. Sidibe noted that as a "Black fat" woman, she has been confused for other Black celebrities before, which she finds problematic and "tinged with racism."

• In August 2022, the incident occurred during an episode of "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen."

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