The View host Sunny Hostin has been booed by audience members after comparing the late Hollywood icon Raquel Welch to Kim Kardashian.
The 54-year-old journalist and co-host of the daytime talk show made the blunder this week following the sudden passing of 82-year-old Welch – a prominent actress toward the end of Hollywood’s Golden Age who was known for her portrayal of strong female characters (which was uncommon at a time when women were often depicted as busty blondes).
Throughout her career, Welch was in a number of high-profile flicks like Fantastic Voyage, The Three Musketeers, and Legally Blonde.
It was her role in One Million Years B.C. in 1966 that put her on the map. Welch only had three lines in the movie, but the poster image of her wearing a deerskin bikini solidified her status as a sex symbol at the time.
It apparently seems to make sense, then, that Hostin wasn’t too popular with audience members on The View after she claimed that 42-year-old Kim Kardashian is a sex symbol on par with Welch.
Bringing the topic of discussion to Welch’s passing, the ladies on The View were remembering her legacy, with host Joy Behar remarking that “they don’t make sex symbols like that” these days. Hostin then chimed in, blurting out Kardashian’s name, at which point the audience loudly booed and began heckling her. She looked shocked as she turned to the audience, wondering why the audience had turned on her, The Wrap detailed.
Whoopi Goldberg then added her two cents, telling Hostin: “Yeah, that’s not even – you can’t even put them in the same, I’m not even – look, I’m moving on.”
As previously reported, Welch died this week on Wednesday (February 15) after battling with a brief illness. She was one of the most celebrated Hollywood beauties of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, and according to a statement by her representative (cited by ABC News), she passed away “peacefully after a brief illness”.
“Her career spanned over 50 years starring in over 30 films and 50 television series and appearances. The Golden Globe winner, in more recent years, was involved in a very successful line of wigs,” the rep continued. “Raquel leaves behind her two children, son Damon Welch and her daughter, Tahnee Welch.”
Welch’s decorated career also culminated in a Golden Globe win for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her 1974 role in The Three Musketeers.
Tributes from the entertainment industry have since poured in for the actress after her death was announced. Her Legally Blonde costar, Reese Witherspoon, 46, tweeted: “So sad to hear about Raquel Welch’s passing. I loved working with her on Legally Blonde. She was elegant, professional, and glamorous beyond belief. Simply stunning. May all her angels carry her home. Sending love to her family and her many fans.”
Our thoughts are with Raquel Welch’s family, friends, colleagues, and fans at this difficult time.