Celebrity Feuds
Knight: Isaiah Forced Me Out with "Faggot" Slur

T.R. Knight says that Isaiah Washington forced him out of the closet when he called him a "faggot" on the set of "Grey's Anatomy."

What's more, Knight tells Ellen DeGeneres that he's dumbfounded by Washington's denial of having called Knight a "faggot" in a scuffle with "Grey's" co-star Patrick Dempsey. Washington offered the denial in an interview at Monday's Golden Globes. Knight, in turn, told Ellen, "I don't know what to say, really, about that."

Knight also says that he'd never been called by the slur "to his face," and when he heard Washington refer to him in that way, "something shifted, and it became bigger than myself." Shortly thereafter, Knight revealed to People magazine that he is, in fact, gay, but says he never intended to before the incident. "It became important to make the statement," he says.

Knight appears on today's episode of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." Check your local listings.



Tags: Grey's Anatomy, Grey'sAnatomy, Isaiah Washington, IsaiahWashington, TR Knight, TrKnight

Reader Comments

(Page 6 of 8) Previous 15 Comments | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

76. For the sake of the show I believe that he should stay and if the Sinfield guy didnt start the n***r thing I think that would blow over too, if it were the other way around. I think they can work it out and I believe they both need to stay out of the media. "O'Mally" can express how it feels to be gay and leave it at that Isaiah needs to leave the issue alone too!

Just my opinion...

Posted at 2:52PM on Jan 18th 2007 by Grey fan

77. He should publicly apologize, not because he first said it, but because he said it then denied it to the public. I hope that he already apologized to T.R. (if not, now would be a good time). People should accept his sincere apology.
To drag this on is to take away attention to some of the big events that are happening globally. I mean, really, let's get past this people (and I mean this as a gay man).

Posted at 5:03AM on Jan 18th 2007 by Johnny

78. He should apologize . If it were you or I at the workplace saying that or "that" we would be cleaning out our office . He wants to be a big man , then admit he used the word then get over it . Didn't he learn anything from " Kramer " and Mel ??? If I were the writers on that show I'd give him a Sex change , but only the bottom half . God loves Irony .

Posted at 5:47AM on Jan 18th 2007 by kevinbgood621

79. In reference to #11, what exactly is a "HUNKY"? What a dumbass, you can't even get your ignorant slurs correct. Obviously, education should be a required subject in your world in many areas.

Posted at 9:06AM on Jan 18th 2007 by km58

80. Ho-hum. Wake me up when real life starts again, okay? Thanks

Posted at 9:26PM on Jan 18th 2007 by Norman

81. I thought it was cool to be a homosexual. Knight said he was forced out of the closet. Was he ashamed of being a homosexual? And if Washington would have been white he would be paying a higher price for his comment. I use the word homosexual because I think we should take the word gay back to what it really meant which was happy. Knight does not appear to be a happy homosexual.

Posted at 3:38PM on Jan 19th 2007 by SteveP

82. HE IS STILL ON THE SHOW BECAUSE THE PRODUCER IS A BLACK WOMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO SAID THAT IF SOMEONE CALLED WASHINGTON A NIGGER THEY WOULD BE FIRED IS PROBABLY ACCURATE. LOOKS LIKE SHE'S STICKING UP FOR HER OWN, HOPING FOR PEACE. HERE IS A CHALLANCE TO THE PRODUCER. WRITE WASHINGTON'S CHARACTER OUT, OR REPLACE HIM WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

Posted at 11:31AM on Jan 18th 2007 by Paul Kline

83. Isiah's ego seems to be quite unhinged. Did anyone see the cast on Oprah several months ago and see his unusual, narcissistic behavior? He even jumped off the stage at one point and genuflected to Andrew Young, who was a guest in the audience. Ouch. I also noted that he had to pull the spotlight back on himself during each interaction with the other cast members, and I remember feeling embarassed for him. He was completely oblivious to the effects of his behavior.

Posted at 3:51PM on Jan 18th 2007 by Zoe

84. WIth all the bruhaha about Michael Richards racist rant (which I think was absolutely awful) and the backlash because of his actions and words. I find it absolutely mind boggling that other groups haven't come out right after this had happened back in October on the set of Grey's Ananomy. If someone of one color calls another person of color something derogatory or in Michael Richards case racist the whole efing world is on it. But have some black man call another man a FAGGOT and look how slow the gay right groups and left wingers take a stance. His deorgatory comment forced an actor to "COME OUT" and personally it's no one's businsess what your sexual orientation is. As an actor you come to work and do your job. End of story. Then when the dust settles Washington opens his big mouth again and LIES that he never said it in front of the media and his whole cast AGAIN which most of them there on the set of that fateful day heard him say it. I think Washington is an issue waiting to explode and needs his happy crappy homophob ass shown the exit door on the set. He ef'd up the first time now he really showed his butt in front of the media and everyone else that got to see that media clip.. Karma always has a way of bitin ya in the ass my friends and I find it WONDERFUL!

Posted at 5:12PM on Jan 18th 2007 by Bella

85. Fire McBigot!

Posted at 4:31PM on Jan 18th 2007 by Zero von Rotten

86. Would he have prefered being called a pussy? That's how he (Knight) acts. Call em' like you see em'!

Posted at 5:24PM on Jan 18th 2007 by Tricia

87. I find it funny that Isaiah Washington actually had the courage to play a gay character (Get on the Bus) while the supposedly out and proud TR Knight plays "straight" characters. If Washington was the big homophobe, then why was he fearless in playing an unstereotypical gay man in a relationship with another man, while Knight was "forced" to tell everyone he is a homosexual. Another thing that is being continually left out of the extended coverage of this fruity story is that Washington, minutes after the press room incident, claimed once again that he would never disrespect another person's humanity by calling them an offensive term. The coverage of this is clearly biased towards portraying Washington as some kind of monster who terrorizes the set of Grey's Anatomy, which is most likely far from the truth.

Posted at 7:52AM on Jan 28th 2007 by Tinety

88. Have none of you ever made a mistake? Perhaps Mr. Washington had a reason to be angry and handled it poorly--look how little it took to make you angry enough to make such vile statements to others. We all need to learn how to forgive and forget.

Posted at 7:09PM on Jan 18th 2007 by Cheryl Noble

89. Well, just as I expected, my comment on it being o.k. for Mr. Washington to make a discriminating remark by calling someone a "faggot" just isn't the same as making a "racial slur" against a black person. After all, they are exempt from everything because they were born black. FYI, racism is a 2 way street. Shame on TMZ for caving, and taking my comment off.

Posted at 9:06PM on Jan 18th 2007 by Sonny Anders

90. Isiah is a dickheadd


FIRE HISS ASSS BEFORE HE RUINS THE SHOWW!!

Posted at 9:41PM on Jan 18th 2007 by MAMA JAMMA

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