The allegations were leveled in a story written by journalist Yashar Ali on Tuesday, quoting former ‘Talk’ co-host Leah Remini, who spoke on the record in the piece, and a number of unnamed sources.
CNN has not independently verified the claims. A Remini spokesperson confirmed the accuracy of her statements as reported by Ali and declined further comment when connected by CNN.
“The only thing worse than a disgruntled former employee is a disgruntled former talk show host,” Osbourne’s spokesman Howard Bragman said in a statement to CNN in response to the allegations made in Ali’s report. “For 11 years, Sharon has been kind, collegial and friendly with her hosts, as evidenced by throwing parties for them, inviting them to her home in the UK and other kind gestures too many to list. is disappointed but unfazed and hardly surprised by lies, the rewriting of history and the bitterness emerging at the moment. “
The allegations went public just as the CBS daytime talk show went through a brief hiatus after a heated debate last week between co-hosts Osbourne and Sheryl Underwood over Osbourne’s support of her longtime boyfriend, Piers Morgan.
The “Entertainment Tonight” interview appears to have taken place before Ali’s story was published, and Osbourne – who apologized on Twitter after dusting with Underwood – said he felt blind during the now-famous run-in.
Sheryl turns and asks me this question and … she read it off a card. It wasn’t on my cards, ”Osbourne said. “And then [another co-host] Elaine [Welteroth]reads her questions and I’m like, ‘I’ve been tricked.’ They set me up. My anger was like, ‘I can’t believe this, I’m your sacrificial lamb.’ ”
Osbourne said right before the show started, one of the showrunners asked if she would mind answering questions about Morgan and how she would feel like ‘maybe one of [the women] disagrees with you. Osbourne said she replied, ‘I’ll answer whatever they want me to answer. ‘
Underwood and Welteroth are both black. Osbourne said she tried to apologize to Underwood, who Osbourne said has “nothing but respect and so much affection,” but got no response.
“I’m not a racist and if you can’t try your friend who happens to be Black, am I racist because I said certain things to my friend, but I said them on camera?” Osbourne said. “I keep apologizing to Sheryl, even if I decide not to go back, I will still apologize to Sheryl.”
CNN has contacted Underwood and Welteroth for comment. CNN has also reached out to CBS for comment on Osbourne’s claims that he is unwell.
“The Talk,” which also includes co-host Carrie Ann Inaba and Amanda Kloots, is currently in production “as we continue to review these issues,” according to CBS. Osbourne told “Entertainment Tonight” that she’s not sure she will return to the show.