In light of the criticism she faced for the gaffe, Hilton wrote in the comments section of her @QueensofBravo Instagram account: “The screen was so far away and my vision is terrible. If you remember, I couldn’t even tell who Justin Timberlake or Melissa Etheridge was.” Lizzo didn’t seem fazed by Hilton’s mistake or the backlash that followed, posting photos from the vacation Thursday on Twitter with the caption, “Meanwhile…” — End of update — Kathy Hilton from “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” is being called lipophobic and racist online for mistaking singer Lizzo for the title of her 2009 movie “Precious.” During her appearance on Andy’s “Watch What Happens Live” Cohen on Wednesday, Hilton was tasked with guessing who an on-screen celebrity was in a game called “Will Kathy Know Them?” Hilton, 63, guessed wrong several times, failing to accurately identify Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson or Justin Timberlake. However, embarrassment ensued when Cohen snapped a photo of Grammy Award winner Lizzo. “Do I feel like I’m… Precious?” Hilton guessed. The response prompted Cohen and Hilton’s “Housewives” co-star Crystal Kung Minkoff, who was also a guest on Wednesday’s show, to burst out laughing. KATHY ☠️!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #WWHL #RHOBH #lizzo #precious pic.twitter.com/fsT7Ny1gLQ — 〰️ (@misspettylamarr) August 11, 2022 Hilton likely mistook Lizzo, 34, for the eponymous character played by Gabourey Sidibe in the 2009 Oscar-winning drama “Precious.” However, it’s also possible she might have mistaken the singer for 32-year-old model Precious Lee. Minkoff, 39, tried to correct the gaffe, turning to Hilton to say, “She’s precious, though. Lizzo is precious.” “That’s what I call her,” Hilton added. “Her nickname is Precious, to me.” Lizzo’s fans quickly reacted on Twitter, criticizing Hilton for comparing Lizzo to another plus-size black public figure. Among them was E! host Nina Parker, who tweeted: “Black women are not here to be the focus of your jokes.” Black women are not here to be the focus of your jokes. TF is that??? https://t.co/y92UynTdkF — Nina Parker (@theninaparker) August 11, 2022 Internet personality Cullen Allen also chimed in, tweeting: “When ‘Precious’ came out, a lot of people used the character’s name as a derogatory label to fuel their lipophobia and bully. So no, I don’t think this is funny. Lizzo, busy at home, had to see herself called Precious in front of millions of people on live TV.’ When Precious came out, many people used the character’s name as a derogatory label to fuel their lipophobia and bully. So no, I don’t think it’s funny that Lizzo, working at home, had to watch herself be called Precious in front of millions on live TV. — Kalen Allen (@TheKalenAllen) August 11, 2022 Another tweeted: “It’s lipophobia and racism to me. Because her and Gabby look NOTHING alike, yet calling her Precious like she’s a real person and not a character. Lizzo needs to condemn all these mfs .” It’s lipophobia and racism to me. Because she and Gabby look NOTHING alike, but also to call her Precious, like she’s a real person and not a character. Lizzo needs to blurt out all of this. https://t.co/HrxmDBQqzJ — Uncle Johnny Handmade Dress (@afrovocative) August 11, 2022 Some defended Hilton, calling her mistake an honest mistake. “Everyone needs to calm down about Kathy calling Lizzo Precious. The woman didn’t recognize anyone,” one fan tweeted. Everyone needs to calm down about Cathy calling Lizo Precious. The woman did not recognize anyone. #RHOBH #WWHL — Diane (@Diane93997165) August 11, 2022 “Supermodel Precious Lee and musician Lizzo are gorgeous women who look amazing,” wrote another. “@KathyHilton wasn’t disrespecting any of these icons, but Crystal and @Andy’s prolonged laughter was mean and childish.” Super model Precious Lee and musician Lizzo are gorgeous women who look amazing. @KathyHilton didn’t disparage any of these icons, but Crystal and @Andy’s prolonged laughter was mean and childish. #RHOBH pic.twitter.com/vWDyZKhlBf — Get Me Off This Fucking Planet (@GMOTFP) August 11, 2022 Neither Lizzo, Lee nor Sidibe have commented publicly on Hilton’s interview.
