In an open letter to Williams, Hubert chastises the chat queen for “crucifying” singer Whitney Houston while she was alive, shedding crocodile tears for the pop icon only once she had passed away.
Hubert also came to the defense of singer Janet Jackson, who Williams attacked on her show Monday, saying the dance diva should not be considered for X Factor because she could not sing without auto-tune.
Read Janet’s entire open letter below and don’t forget to co-sign her comments below if you agree.
This past weekend was a very difficult time for so many of us.
Though I never knew Whitney Houston, I felt a profound sense of loss and sadness. On Sunday morning I took my dog for a walk in the park across the street and still could not shake the sadness I felt. I wondered if what I was feeling was perhaps related to losing my mother and brother this past year, but then I thought no, it was something else.
I watched the funeral service with the rest of the world, and cried time and time again with each story that was told. I felt like I knew more about this amazing woman than ever before. We all watched her as a little girl, center stage, singing like a bird, she was destined for superstardom. To watch her center stage full circle in death was a feeling no mother should ever have to feel. I applaud Ms. Warwick, the pastor, and all others who formed a police line of love and protection around her that was impenetrable only to those who really knew her. We, the public accepted their decision to keep it private, but they allowed us to witness her Home Going ceremony, I don’t know if I could have been so gracious. WE felt like we knew her and we knew nothing about her except what we read and hear from people like you and other media outlets. I listened to her interview with you and was compelled to say out loud. “Go on Whitney tell her like it is,” when you pried into her life back then. I had my son in the same year as Ms. Houston; we did Ebony Magazine that same year, she introducing her baby girl and me my son. I am trying to be dignified, but here goes.
The Internet has become somewhat like the 10 commandments, and this is why… whatever is posted or commented on… is forever written in stone. Neither I nor anybody can stop anyone from making up stories, reviews, lies etc, cutting and pasting whatever they decide to put together like a bad buffet breakfast.
I have had some horrible meals shoved down my throat on the web that I had no parts of.
I still have a bad taste in my mouth from a recent cut and paste meal from your beloved TMZ (THE MUDSLINGING ZONE). I believe you said once “If you heard it on TMZ then it must be true,” really Wendy?
The Internet is indeed the information highway, but it can also be “a Forum of Hate.”
You said that morning with tears in your eyes, that you would not discuss Whitney any further, but you crucified her the whole time she was alive, as you do so many people on your show. I want to ask you why? What do you get out of this besides money?
How do you sleep at night knowing that you are one of the biggest bullies in the world disguised as HOT TOPICS? Celebrities are not topics we are people, just like everyone else, we hurt and we hear and we bleed real blood, not fake blood, just as you do.
How do we as parents teach our children to honor each other, treat each other with kindness when all they see are images of people like you who condone and promote meanness, rude reality TV stars, and your opinion as you berate world renowned people like Janet Jackson, Gwyneth Paltrow, and others you slam on a daily basis.
I keep asking myself why no one is saying anything about this. What the hell are they afraid of? Where are my sisters out there who feel as I do?
Well Wendy, I try to teach my son to stand up, shout, and scream when there is injustice. Yeah yeah, I know, I have been screaming for years and will continue to do so as long as there are images that depict black women as neck shaking, over bearing women who can’t get along.
A sister, a mother, a daughter, a star, left this world way too early; she was loved by the world. The world mourned, I don’t think that we needed you to try and take down another brilliant sister on that following Monday morning. (Your rude comments about Janet Jackson). You started right back up without hesitation or pause… you need to stop Wendy. We need to stop, and the world needs to stop. I need to stop as well. There will be no more quotes from me to be misquoted. We need to join together, wrap our arms around our children, everybody’s children. Remember you have a child who will suffer every slingshot and arrow that gets thrown back at you Wendy; our public lives greatly affect our children.
I know I am going to suffer some arrows for writing this letter to you, I know you are loved by many, but remember this Wendy; they love you when you are up and they love to take you down. You will not always be up, you will not always be on the A list and attend all the parties. Ride the wave sister girl, but make sure you know how to swim when the ride is over. Artists are survivors, we work hard to build our crafts and careers and I ask that you simply remember that in the future.
I’m just sayin’ it like l mean it too.
Janet Hubert
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everyone has a right to their own opinions, thats why wendy has her show and SISTA has her blog. we do not have to read or watch but we choose too.
there will always be people from every color of the spectrum from Oprah to Howard stern, Ellen to jerry springer. why?
because there are people out there who want what they deliver.
we need to lead our own lives, make our own minds up, raise our own children and keep it moving because the world isnt going to get any better.
and who are we to EVER judge someones remorse?
Janet was so right. Wendy spent years throwing shade at Whitney and her tears last week weren’t for Whitney they were for herself. She was crying remembering her own crack addiction. The one she so often tried to put off on Whitney. It is Wendy who should be dead in the ground with maggots eating at her rotting flesh. She spent years going in on people when her own life was so damn sordid. I wish someone had exposed her demons publicly and tried to end her career the same way she tried to end the career of so many others.
And when has Janet Jackson ever used damn autotune?
First I will say that I like the Wendy Williams show. I think its entertaining. BUT the way in which Wendy was being sooo authoritative regarding who should and shouldn’t be hired for Xfactor did bug me. I even mentioned it to my husband that I thought she was going too far. She really did sound like a bully. Entertainment is becoming very negative and Black women really don’t need to keep feeding into the negativity. I agree with Ms. Hubert on this one. Opinions are fine but there is way to do without tearing each other down.
Our favorite Auntie is at it again…
You reap what you sow. Wendy laughed and mocked Whitney for having a disease called addiction. It wasn’t to help Whitney, or her family, and it wasn’t to help others who are affected by the disease. It was called laughing at an addictt, because it’s funny to laugh at the unfortunate. Wendy didn’t think about what Bobby Kristina had to feel going to school, after her peers heard Wendy on the radio laughing and mocking her mother. Wendy should stop disrespecting people, words hurt and cuts deeper than a physical wound. People act like what Whitney had to experience in the media didn’t keep her jaded from doing rehab right.
Does anyone besides me realize that she is clearly denying the TMZ story they printed a few months back where she supposedly called Will Smith an a-hole?
WOW….. That Janet Hubert speaks truth. And I love it.
WOW!!!! Standing ovation for Aunt Viv! Sometimes it only takes a spark to get a fire going. I had no idea about Whitney’s interview with Wendy and was therefore very touched by her “good-bye message to my girl, Ms. Whitney!” I am now however sickened. I am no big fan of Wendy anyway and will NOT be giving her the rare ratings that I do when I on few occasions watch her show. I loved (and forever will) Whitney Houston! I am in total agreement with Aunt Viv on this… Power to sisters who will stand for something!!!
WOW!!!! Standing ovation for Aunt Viv! Sometimes it only takes a spark to get a fire going. I had no idea about Whitney’s interview with Wendy and was therefore very touched by her “good-bye message to my girl, Ms. Whitney!” I am now however sickened. I am no big fan of Wendy anyway and will NOT be giving her the rare ratings that I do when I on few occasions watch her show. I loved (and forever will) Whitney Houston! I am in total agreement with Aunt Viv on this… Power to sisters who will stand for something!!!
Wow. I didn’t know Wendy mocked Janet Jackson. I don’t think Janet has ever used autotune…and if she has, it wasn’t until recently. But even so, I still want to doubt it happened.
Not everybody has to sing like Whitney in order to be an XFactor superstar. Being a singer in today’s age takes good songs(and/or vocals), good presence (looks) and good performance (dancing). Janet may not be the best vocalist but she is an awesome performer and that says a lot in terms of being a superstar. It takes more than voice and looks and moves to capture an audience’s attention. I mean, I don’t get when people go off on why Paula was a judge on American Idol and why Janet is considered to be a judge for XFactor and why Nicole S. was a judge for XFactor… It takes a lot of ‘tricks’ to be a great performer and most all artists can contribute to teaching the newcomers the tricks of the trade, regardless the perceived talent-level of the judge.
But I digress.
This letter comes across as spoken with love and I have to respect that from Ms. Hubert.
Wendy is in the gossip/entertainment news game. If she can spout it, repeat it, lie about it and still go to sleep at night that is completely on her. Not my cross to bear. But I get Ms. Hubert’s point… *sigh*
And RIP Whitney.
Not to sound offensive but have you noticed Wendy’s audience (in the show)?They are mostly white! They love a black woman you can entertain them with her foolishness! Ugh! She’s the only one to state TMZ and MTO and sources. Come on Wendy!
The horrible things people do for money…wow Aunt VIV you are right thou will sow, what thou reap!! Rest Assure…no one …and I mean no one gets away with anything. I will continue to pray for our sisters. To God be the Glory!
I agree 100% with Janet. Thats basically what i said when i saw Wendy have that break down about Whitney on her show.
Wendy has alot of nerve talking about my baby Janet Jackson. When I see Ms. Williams on the street, Im f*cking her up on site.
I agree with what she said in her letter by maybe she needs to read this letter to herself. After all these years she’s still bad mouthing Will Smith & from what the other actors from the show are saying she alone got herself booted from the show..Practice what you preach is all I’m saying.
I disagree, Wendy was a fan of Whitney just like the rest of us. She spoke to Whitney as a an addict and was also thanked by a member of Whitney’s family for her tough approach because it really helped her to get real with herself.
R.I.P. Whitney <3
“you are one of the biggest bullies in the world disguised as HOT TOPICS”
“they love you when you are up and they love to take you down. You will not always be up”
Well said….you can deliver gossip and current events and even call folks out when neccessary without being that nasty. I have often wondered why she go in so hard on folks and I truly believe she has some self image issues she isn’t dealing with and is taking it out on others.
Go on Miss Janet!
We have lost so much civility that few even know what that means anymore. Many of Wendy Williams’ fans think her callous comments are funny and entertaining but if her sharp tongue was turned on them would they enjoy it as much? This is a great lesson for us all to think about how our words affect others and the way the world sees us as people of color.
This is a multi-layered topic and Janet’s letter criss-crosses so much ground. I get where she’s coming from, but she has to condemn just about all mass media, from entertainment gossip blogs to social media, twitter and facebook, CNN and other 24 hour news networks, programs like Nightline, 20/20, Diane Sawyer, Cynthia McFadden and Katic Couric to weekly magazine rags, supermarket tabloids, reality tv shows, you name it! THEY ALL REPORT NEGATIVE CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS, INCIDENTS, ADDICTIONS, CONTROVERSY, LAW SUITS, DIVORCES, BIRTHS, DEATHS, MARRIAGES, CHILDREN BOOKS, BIOGRAPHIES, NEW SITCOMS AND DRAMAS, AWARD SHOWS, WINNERS AND WHAT THEY WERE WEARING, NEW FILM AND MUSIC RELEASES, PREMIERS, RED CARPET ARRIVALS, CHARITY FUNDRAISING, PROMOTE CONCERTS, PERFUME LINES, CLOTHING APPAREL AND ANYTHING ELSE BOUGHT AND SOLD!
I used to loathe Wendy Williams, especially, when I heard the radio interview back in the day. Wendy has improved with TV. The View, The Talk and other shows all give their own brand of criticism or support. Today I appreciate Wendy because her show is important. She can mix it up and give black artists publicity like Oprah was unable to. You can see Miquel and Wale with a white mainstream guest artist without the show being accommodating. I know the hot topics can be a bit much, but what Wendy does surpasses her antics. We look at a talk show and how well it entertains us, while Wendy has to deal with ratings, a network, affiliates (different and diverse markets), advertisers while driving black down main street!
I’m grateful she’s on TV, some days, I skip the hot topics. I’m happy she’s on the air because you don’t have to be a superstar to be on her show. Maybe you or myself will get a call for some project we create. Unfortunately, celebrity publicity is a double-edged sword, for better or worst. Don’t forget they hire publicists to get them the attention that rakes in the millions. Celebrities can use their celebrity and platform to override any negative hot topics, criticisms…i.e. Alicia Keys, Sean Penn, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie…we know what these celebrities are doing…during this whole Whitney Houston tragedy, I haven’t heard the media report on her philanthropy or production company and I know for a fact she gave and did abundantly! It’s up to us to report good news and read and think for ourselves! We’re all free to blog and express our opinions just like Wendy does!
How many people are watching the OWN Network? Have seen the Master Classes Series?…Oprah’s Next Chapter Series?…Some of the other great programs (Rosie, Sweetie Pie’s, Lisa Ling, etc.) she has to offer at this point? Why is it Sinbad isn’t back on with his reality tv show? Why didn’t Jill Scott go multi-platinum as Nicki Minaj?
Janet hasn’t stop the supply of or demand for salacious hot topics, but instead brought up a very painful past, an interview that many people will now hear for the first time. An interview that the Houston family, friends and fans will have to hear discussed just a few days after she was laid to rest. This, too, is a double-edge sword!
I also wanted to say that Wendy provides a platform where black artists can come on with a mainstream audience. She has to contend with ratings, the networks, affiliates and other deciding factors. I sometimes skip the hot topics. During this whole Whitney Houston tragedy the media has ignored her philanthropy and production company, what she’s done outside of singing and acting, no comment. It is up to us to tell good stories, blog, try it, it’s not as simple as one might think! It’s WORK!
I used to loathe Wendy, especially, back in the day and that WH interview, not nice. But, CNN, HLN, Nightline, 20/20, GMA, Diane Sawyer, Katie Couric and the rest all follow hot topics as they are the same who promote celebrities to millions and stardom. Janet is well-meaning, but it’s the culture and demand that news outlets are supplying. Wendy gave her opinions and whether her tears were heartfelt or not, they were hers! This is the problem, we don’t look at the total picture, we only see flaws in this climate, whether it’s Wendy or someone struggling in the limelight! For all of us, we’re only as good as what we’ve done for someone lately!
Hey Guys. It has been a long time YEARS! Some of you prob don’t know me but BS does! Any who, Aunt Vivian don’t play! She is the one to checked Will Smith for his ego during the show. I understand what she is saying and I have noticed that pattern with Wendy also. The only shows that don’t really do that are The View and The Talk! But I know when that rumor of Wendy’s husband came out, she didn’t say ONE WORD! Hmmmm
I applaud Janet and still condemn Wendy, just a couple of weeks ago she was bragging about how one of her viewers had sent in the old tapes of Bobby & Whitney reality show so she could make more fun of her, so to me all of that fake crying wasn’t genuine me. Her career was built on making fun of people when her backyard was dirty. So Janet said what a whole lot of people felt. Wendy likes to talk but avoids any confrontation, just ask
Just ask Omarosa, she was on Wendy pilot show and gave it to her for talking behind her back. And she could not handle it
Wendy comes off as being unprofessional.
Wendy is a mean women. I use to watch the show and stopped watching when she had Ruben Studdard on her show. She removed some of the pillow and told him he hadn’t lost that much weight. And after he song, she hugged him and said “you are sweaty, you got sweat on me”. I haven’t watched her show since that day and will not be watching ever again. You don’t mistreat people, I don’t know why anyone would go on her show.
The crazy part is that her show is entertaing, but i will admit that watching her hot topics is biased and a form of bullying. She picks who she wants to pick on, and to add on the Whitney comment that **** was over the fcukin top. She bullied Whitney all the time now she wanna talk about how she was crack head well I’m going to speak for Whitmey, she didn’t do crack she made too much money
The crazy part is that her show is entertaing, but i will admit that watching her hot topics is biased and a form of bullying. She picks who she wants to pick on, and to add on the Whitney comment that **** was over the fcukin top. She bullied Whitney all the time now she wanna talk about how she was crack head well I’m going to speak for Whitney, she didn’t do crack she made too much money
I totally agree with Janet Hubert. If you slammed Whitney Houston all the time when she was alive (Wendy did all the time), then you are a phony when trying to sound serious about how you feel when she died. You don’t have to comment Wendy. We don’t take you seriously when you say you are sad. Ms. Hubert is right, these are people you are constantly making a joke about. Karma is a mother! Remember that Wendy.
About Janet Jackson – whether she autotune or not, she is still an artist and know about music. All the judges on these shows (AI, The Voice, XFactor) are not great singers. You don’t have to be a great singer to know great music. I think Janet would be a great judge on the show.