Sheryl Underwood Breaks Silence on Sharon Osbourne Feud After On-Air Race Row
Sheryl Underwood has broken her silence regarding her 2021 feud with former co-host Sharon Osbourne, which erupted live on air during a heated discussion about Piers Morgan's comments on Meghan Markle's Oprah interview. The pair presented the US chat show The Talk together before their relationship became estranged following the explosive confrontation.
The On-Air Confrontation That Changed Everything
The controversy began when Sharon Osbourne defended her friend Piers Morgan's criticism of Meghan Markle's bombshell claims during her interview with Oprah Winfrey. Morgan had questioned the Duchess of Sussex's assertions that a member of the Royal Family expressed concerns about the skin colour of her unborn son Archie and that she had experienced suicidal thoughts.
During the live broadcast watched by millions, Sheryl Underwood directly questioned Osbourne about her support for Morgan. "What would you say to people who may feel that while you're standing by your friend, it appears you gave validation or safe haven to something that he has uttered that is racist, even if you don't agree?" Underwood asked pointedly.
The exchange quickly escalated, with Osbourne becoming emotional and demanding that Underwood "educate" her. "I very much feel like I'm about to be put in the electric chair because I have a friend, who many people think is a racist, so that makes me a racist?" Osbourne responded while fighting back tears.
Attempts at Reconciliation and Lingering Feelings
Now, five years after their public falling out, Underwood has revealed she attempted to reach out to Osbourne following the death of Ozzy Osbourne, Sharon's husband. Speaking on The View this week, Underwood expressed that despite their disagreements, she maintains affection for her former colleague.
"I will say this. I still believe there's some love between me and Sharon Osbourne. I tried to reach out when Ozzy passed," Underwood disclosed. "I love her. But sometimes you find out, your co-workers, your colleagues or you hope that it doesn't get as big. ... You don't sit next to somebody for that amount of time and don't have no love."
Underwood explained her hesitation to leave voicemails during their estrangement, citing concerns about potential misinterpretation in the entertainment industry. "I'm afraid to leave a voicemail. Because in the business we're in, your voicemail will show up somewhere or be misunderstood. I'd rather be quiet than continue to hurt people. Because I'ma have to face God one day," she added.
The Aftermath and Differing Perspectives
The consequences of their argument were significant for both women. Sharon Osbourne, who had been an original panellist on The Talk since its 2010 launch, departed the show in 2021 following the controversy. The program itself was ultimately cancelled in December 2024.
In a 2024 appearance on The Sage Steele Show, Osbourne revealed she had apologised to Underwood at her children's urging, despite feeling she hadn't done anything wrong. "But my kid said to me, 'Just apologise to her. Maybe you're wrong and she read you wrong or something, just in case, apologise.' And I did," Osbourne explained. "I apologised to her. I called her."
During their original confrontation, Underwood had clarified that while Piers Morgan's comments might not have been overtly racist, she struggled to understand Osbourne's vigorous defence of him. "It is not the exact words of racism, it's the implication and the reaction to it," Underwood told Osbourne during their tense exchange.
The public nature of their disagreement, combined with its connection to the ongoing discussions about race and the Royal Family following Meghan Markle's interview, created a media firestorm that continues to resonate years later. Both women have now publicly addressed the incident, offering insights into their perspectives and the complex dynamics of workplace relationships in the spotlight.
