Gabourey Sidibe Responds to Kathy Hilton Mistaking Her for Lizzo

The 'Precious' actress calls the incident 'weird and tinged with racism'.

Feb. 8, 2026 at 11:23pm

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In a recent appearance on the One54 podcast, actress Gabourey Sidibe discussed an old clip from Watch What Happens Live! where Kathy Hilton mistook Sidibe for Lizzo. Sidibe said the moment was particularly strange because she had previously met Hilton in person, making the mix-up all the more disrespectful. Sidibe also noted that she has been confused for 'many a Black fat, like many, many, many women' and that the incident was 'weird and tinged with racism'.

Why it matters

The incident highlights ongoing issues of racial insensitivity and the tendency to conflate Black women, especially those who are overweight, in the entertainment industry. It also speaks to the need for greater representation and understanding of diverse body types and identities.

The details

In the 2022 Watch What Happens Live! clip, Kathy Hilton was playing a game where she had to guess the identity of celebrities shown in photos. When a photo of Lizzo was displayed, Hilton said 'I feel like I do [know her]. Precious?' causing discomfort in the studio audience. Hilton later tried to cover for the mistake by saying 'Precious' was Lizzo's nickname to her. Sidibe, who famously played the title role in the film 'Precious', said the incident was strange because she had previously met Hilton and the mix-up felt disrespectful.

  • In August 2022, the Watch What Happens Live! clip of Kathy Hilton mistaking Lizzo for Gabourey Sidibe went viral.
  • On February 4, 2026, Gabourey Sidibe discussed the incident on the One54 podcast.

The players

Gabourey Sidibe

An American actress best known for her starring role in the 2009 film 'Precious'.

Kathy Hilton

An American socialite, television personality, and mother of Paris and Nicky Hilton, who is a cast member on the reality TV series 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills'.

Lizzo

An American singer, rapper, and flautist known for her music that promotes body positivity and self-love.

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What they’re saying

“That was weird because I have been to that lady's house and had a meeting with her. I was like, 'I know you— Kathy.'”

— Gabourey Sidibe, Actress (One54 podcast)

“I've never met Lizzo, but Lizzo and I do different things. I've been confused for many a Black fat, like many, many, many women. And it's always weird and tinged with racism.”

— Gabourey Sidibe, Actress (One54 podcast)

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing problem of racial insensitivity and the tendency to conflate Black women, especially those who are overweight, in the entertainment industry. It underscores the need for greater representation, understanding, and respect for diverse body types and identities.