Anthony Anderson is facing backlash after a resurfaced clip of a 2003 interview with Lindsay Lohan went viral. In the clip from The Sharon Osbourne Show, Anderson, who was 33 at the time, made several inappropriate remarks to a 17-year-old Lohan, promoting criticism from viewers.
The 2003 Interview and Controversial Comments
In the viral clip, Anderson, who was hosting the show, made several questionable comments during his interview with Lohan, who was promoting Freaky Friday.
The interaction began with Anderson joking about a kiss Lohan allegedly gave him, which she quickly denied. Later, Anderson placed his hand on Lohan’s knee and made a remark about how much she had “grown up.”
Things escalated when Anderson, commenting on Lohan’s living situation with Raven-Symoné in Los Angeles, asked, “What gentlemen will be at the new pad?” When Lohan responded that she had no boyfriend, Anderson remarked, “Hmm, she’s single but looking!” Lohan then pointed out, “But I’m illegal for people that are old.”
To this, Anderson replied, “Well, you know, some men like ‘em young. We ain’t gonna mention no names, but, you know, I’m one of ‘em,” laughing as he made the remark.
Anderson’s Response to Backlash
Following the resurgence of the clip, Anderson’s spokesperson released a statement addressing the backlash. The statement clarified that the interview was intended as comedy, with Anderson expressing regret if the humor was deemed in poor taste.
The spokesperson emphasized that Anderson holds the utmost respect for Lohan, denying any implication of inappropriate behavior.
The statement also pointed out that the comments made in the 2003 interview were intended to be humorous and that any other interpretation of them was inaccurate and defamatory.
Anderson’s Past Allegations
This incident comes amid previous allegations against Anderson. He had been accused of sexual assault and rape in the past, including an accusation involving the 2004 film Hustle & Flow. However, those charges were later dropped.
In 2018, he was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department for an alleged sexual assault, but the District Attorney’s office declined to file charges. Anderson has denied these allegations, asserting that he unequivocally disputes the claims.
The viral resurfacing of Anderson’s 2003 comments to Lohan has sparked debate over appropriate behavior in interviews.
While Anderson has apologized for any offense caused, the incident has reopened conversations about boundaries and respect in celebrity interactions. Lohan, who was only 17 at the time, has not publicly commented on the resurfaced clip.
