Actress Gabourey Sidibe has publicly responded to a 2022 incident where reality star Kathy Hilton confused her with singer Lizzo, calling the mix-up “weird and tinged with racism” in a recent podcast interview, highlighting ongoing issues of racial insensitivity in entertainment.
The confusion occurred during an August 2022 episode of “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” where Hilton, participating in a celebrity photo guessing game, misidentified a picture of Lizzo as Sidibe and referred to her by the nickname “Precious,” the title of Sidibe’s acclaimed 2009 film. This moment drew immediate backlash from viewers, who criticized Hilton for reducing both women to stereotypes based on their appearance and size.
Sidibe addressed the incident in a February 4 interview on the “One54” podcast, expressing particular surprise because she had previously met Hilton at the reality star’s home for a business meeting about potential collaboration. “That was weird because I have been to that lady’s house and had a meeting with her,” Sidibe said, noting that Hilton should have recognized her name and face given their personal interaction.
The Oscar-nominated actress elaborated on the broader pattern of such confusions, stating that she has often been mistaken for other Black plus-sized women in the public eye. “I’ve been confused for many a Black fat, like many, many, many women. And it’s always weird and tinged with racism,” she explained, emphasizing how these errors perpetuate harmful stereotypes and diminish individual identities.
Following the original broadcast, Hilton apologized on social media, attributing her mistake to poor vision and the distance of the studio screen. She noted that she had also struggled to identify other celebrities like Justin Timberlake and Melissa Etheridge during the segment. Sources close to Hilton later told E! News that she felt “terrible” about the error and would never intentionally hurt anyone’s feelings, describing her as sensitive and nervous during live TV appearances.
Sidibe’s response brings renewed attention to the challenges Black women face in media, where they are frequently subjected to microaggressions and mistaken identity based on superficial similarities. Her comments underscore the need for greater cultural awareness and respect in public discourse, particularly in entertainment circles where such incidents can have lasting impacts.
The actress, who earned critical acclaim for her role in “Precious,” also questioned why Hilton would use the film’s title as a nickname, reinforcing the importance of recognizing actors for their work and real names rather than fictional personas. This aspect of her critique touches on deeper issues of representation and the erasure of personal identity in favor of stereotypical labels.
As Sidibe’s remarks circulate online, they have sparked conversations about racism, body image, and representation in Hollywood. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles for accurate portrayal and respect, with Sidibe’s measured yet firm response setting a precedent for addressing casual insensitivities in the public sphere.
