Anatomy Of An Apology
THESE NOTABLE CELEBRITY SNAFUS CALLED FOR ATONEMENT. ARE THEY REALLY SORRY OR JUST SORRY THEY WERE CAUGHT? YOU DECIDE.
Back in 2011, the media personality told UK’s “Having to tell my parents my ex-fiancé Luke had cheated on me with a tranny was so humiliating… it’s hard enough to get your head around someone cheating on you… but when that someone is a chick with a dick?” Osbourne penned an unsolicited apology accepting blame and reiterating her lifelong commitment to being an LGBT ally. She wrote at length about the
Glamour,
KELLY OSBOURNE
transgender community’s strength and bravery in the face of widespread discrimination and violence, finishing with, “My sincerest apologies to any ally or member of the LGBT community whom I have hurt or offended. That kind of representation goes against everything I stand for and is the last thing I would ever want to do.”
MEL GIBSON
In a 1991 interview, Mel Gibson said, “Homosexuals take it up the ass. This is only for taking a shit,” adding, “Do I sound like a homosexual? Do I talk like them? Do I move like them?” In that era, Gibson’s career was able to survive astonishing homophobia, but it crashed and burned in 2006 when he launched into an antiSemitic diatribe while being arrested for drunk driving. His public apology to the Jewish community deplores anti-Semitism and asks forgiveness. He also requested a meeting with Jewish leaders to discuss a healing way forward and mentioned that he is in an ongoing program of recovery.
KOBE BRYANT
During a 2010 game against the San Antonio Spurs, the LA Lakers star called a referee a “fucking faggot”. Bryant excused the slur as being in the heat of the moment, but he was still fined $100,000 by the NBA. Bryant released a public apology stating that his outburst did not reflect his feelings toward the gay community and he further agreed to appear in a PSA for GLAAD condemning anti-gay speech.
ALEC BALDWIN
While being hounded by paparazzi in 2013, TMZ cameras caught Alec Baldwin call one a “cocksucking fag”. The actor claims he said “fathead” and that, furthermore, he didn’t know the word “cocksucker” was an anti-gay epithet. He condemned the use of anti- gay slurs and reminded the public of his longstanding record fighting for LGBT rights. Despite this, his talk show was cancelled by MSNBC. In a 5,000 word essay, Baldwin wrote that he is saying goodbye to public life because he loathes the media and that being labeled a “homophobic bigot” was the last straw.
STEPHANIE RICE
The three-time gold medalwinning Australian swimming superstar got a little too excited at a rugby match, tweeting, “Suck on that, faggots!” when Australia beat South Africa. As a result, she lost a sponsorship deal with Jaguar. Rice gave an emotional public apology, breaking down in tears as she explained just how sorry she was to have hurt anyone’s feelings. Despite round condemnation, she found an ally in openly gay Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham, who wrote, “[Rice] meant no malice, she has apologised for her careless comment posted in the excitement of the moment.”
NAOMI CAMPBELL
Accused ten times of assault (most memorably hurling a blackberry at her housekeeper and a phone at her assistant), the supermodel admits she has anger issues and believes it’s an emotional disorder. Campbell went on Oprah in 2010 to explain herself and gain the public’s trust back. “I threw the phone. It’s not a right thing to do. Basically I see red. I am ashamed of everything I’ve done.”
DONALD STERLING
The owner of the LA Clippers was fined $2.5 million and banned for life by the NBA for racist comments overheard on a concealed tape this year. Sterling is heard telling his girlfriend not to associate with black people, or to bring them to his basketball games. In the aftermath, Sterling stated, “I love my league, I love my partners. Am I entitled to one mistake? It’s a terrible mistake and I’ll never do it again.”