Sharon Osbourne is reportedly demanding a payout of tens of millions to leave her co-hosting job on The Talk amid allegations that she has made racist comments.
The CBS daytime chat show will remain on hiatus until at least March 29 as network execs are investigating the claims against Osbourne, which she firmly denies.
The controversy began with an on-air debate in which Osbourne defended her boyfriend Piers Morgan’s criticism of Meghan Markle. Now a confidante claims that Osbourne will strictly enforce contract terms if forced off the show.
“She has a contract and they will have to pay her off if they want her to leave, and it will cost them tens of millions,” a person close to Osbourne told The Sun. “If bosses expect her to leave calmly, something else will come.”
Sharon Osbourne (center) is reportedly demanding a payout of tens of millions to leave her co-hosting job on The Talk amid furious allegations that she made racist comments
The CBS daytime chat show will remain on hiatus until at least March 29 as network execs investigate the claims against Osbourne (above), which she firmly denies.
The controversy started with an on-air debate in which Osbourne defended her boyfriend Piers Morgan’s criticism of Meghan Markle. Osbourn and Morgan are seen together above
The person added: “She is outraged by the many allegations made about her and refuses to bow to the mounting pressure to leave.”
“As far as she is concerned, she apologized during the on-air debate and did nothing else wrong,” added the source.
On an episode of The Talk that aired a week and a half ago, Osbourne defended friend Morgan regarding his criticism of Markle, which led her to say, in the electric chair because I have a friend who many people think is a racist, so that makes me a racist? ‘
That led to a metabolism with co-host Sheryl Underwood, who was surprised by the fierceness of Osbourne’s defense.
Since then, a number of allegations about Osbourne’s behavior have clouded her future with the show.
One of the allegations being investigated by CBS is whether Osbourne has called former co-host Julie Chen a “ wonton, ” a claim that Osbourne says is “ rubbish. ”
“Everyone has an opinion or a story like the Wonton story,” Osbourne told DailyMail.com earlier this week. It’s like you’re going to fuck your f ** king wonton story. F ** k off! ‘
Osbourne (left) furiously denied allegations that she called former co-host Julie Chen (right) ‘wonton’ and ‘slanting eyes’ behind the scenes at The Talk
The Talk was set to return to the airwaves on March 22, presumably with all regular hosts in place – but PEOPLE reported this weekend that the show will be on hiatus through March 29.
Osbourne further defended himself last week by telling DailyMail.com, ‘Of course it’s a pile. People want to add fuel to the fire and it comes with the territory and that’s fine. ‘
A report by Yashar Ali also claimed that Osbourne, among others, called former co-host Sara Gilbert a “fish eater”; Gilbert is a lesbian.
Osbourne has also been accused of calling former co-hosts Leah Remini and Holly Robinson Peete ‘ghetto’.
‘In situations like this you always get people you’ve had disagreements with in the past, people who have to sharpen axes, come out of the woodwork and they’ll come out with their BS and that’s it. It doesn’t surprise me at all. I’m not surprised, ”said Osbourne.
‘Being accused of racism is no joke. Now they get their sweet revenge. I can’t even deal with it because they are kids in a schoolyard. ‘
Piers Morgan, a friend of Osbourne’s, was part of the firestorm that turned the host over last week
Osbourne believes she will likely lose her job at The Talk after investigating her.
‘I think they are going to use me as a sacrificial lamb and fire me. It is well. It is well. It hasn’t happened yet, but I’m sure it will. ‘
‘I don’t know what they will do. It’s a big, ugly mess. But I didn’t start it. I did not start it. It’s up to the show’s producers. ‘
Earlier this week, representatives for The Talk released a statement about the show.
‘CBS is committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace in all our productions. We are also very aware of the important concerns that have been raised and the discussions that are taking place regarding events on The Talk. This includes a process of hearing all voices, investigating claims, and taking appropriate action as needed. ‘