Celebrity Feuds
Isaiah Apologizes; Says Comment "Marred" Globes

After a firestorm of controversy over his use of offensive language on set and at Monday's Golden Globes, "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington issued the following statement late this afternoon:

"I apologize to T.R., my colleagues, the fans of the show and especially the lesbian and gay community for using a word that is unacceptable in any context or circumstance. By repeating the word Monday night, I marred what should have been a perfect night for everyone who works on 'Grey's Anatomy.' I can neither defend nor explain my behavior. I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I've asked for help.

I know the power of words, especially those that demean. I realize that by using one filled with disrespect I have hurt more than T.R. and my colleagues. With one word, I've hurt everyone who has struggled for the respect so many of us take for granted. I welcome the chance to meet with leaders of the gay and lesbian community to apologize in person and to talk about what I can do to heal the wounds I've opened.

T.R.'s courage throughout this entire episode speaks to his tremendous character. I hold his talent, and T.R. as a person, in high esteem. I know a mere apology will not end this, and I intend to let my future actions prove my sincerity."



Filed under: TV, Celebrity Feuds

Reader Comments

(Page 15 of 15)Previous 15 Comments

211. Okay, Washington apologized. Thats all he can do. The man does not need to lose his job for one comment. I like T.R. (O'Malley) and I feel that Washington was way out of line for that, but life happens. Let's move on.

Posted at 8:00PM on Jan 21st 2007 by Angela Scott

212. Man call it like you see it if it walks and talks like a flamming faggot then it must be a faggot

Posted at 1:22PM on Jan 22nd 2007 by Darryl W.

213. Jesus Freak, your comment #241 was DA BOMB!

Posted at 2:30PM on Jan 22nd 2007 by Little old me

214. A faggot is a bundle of sticks.
I bet Phil and Shaquanda have never EVER used a slur of any kind.
Good for you two twirps.

Posted at 2:32PM on Jan 22nd 2007 by Little old me

215. He really made an ass of himself. I'm surprised they didn't fire him. What was he thinking when he made that statement since others on the set said he did say it. He better not make any remarks on this issue again.

Posted at 4:10PM on Jan 22nd 2007 by Reine

216. Most of you are poor excuses for human beings from what I've read. Why don't you crawl back under the rock you came from? Lowlife pond scum with no use to this planet you are a waste of life. If everyone, including myself , stopped responding to these bottom feeders, they might go away. But it boggles the mind that you exist. Sure, you're anonymous so that makes you big & brave, but your derogatory comments prove you're lacking basic decency. Just small people with a big inferiority complex.

Posted at 11:19PM on Jan 22nd 2007 by laci38345

217. I think all the faggots should call him a nigger.

Posted at 12:41AM on Jan 26th 2007 by labelexec

218. Whites and gays are hypocrisy. There is a white gay man who name is Charles Knipp. Who dresses up in blackface as a character he calls Shirley Q. Liquor and describes as an “inarticulate Black women on welfare with 19 kids.” Set to perform during Black History Month in West Hollywood. Where is the cry for outrage from whites and the gay community? I don't hear about a petition banning this gay white man. Why isn’t this story on CNN or the other news stations? Media is going to run this story to the ground because they want ratings. Isaiah will probably be black balled (no pun intended). I do not think Isaiah should be fired. I think he is an excellent actor and He has a right to make a living. He made a mistake twice. We all do. No one is perfect. I’m not a fan of Grey’s Anatomy. I don’t watch the show. If they fired him, the show will not be the same. I think it’s so funny how white people and the gay community can easily replace one black man for another. I guess all blacks people look the same. I think there is more to the story. I can only assumed Dempsey said something fuc**ed up to Isaiah. I. W. had to put his ass in check. When black people stand up for ourselves. We are views as aggressive, hostile, angry or have a bad attitudes etc. They (Washington, Dempsey & Knight) should all be thankful that a sister Shondra Rhimes who plays Dr. Miranda Bailey on the show made them stars. In white America eyes’ blacks are always considered guilty until we can prove we are innocent. The media loves to depict negative images of African Americans. We see this 24/7 on the news, cops, ect. As black people we should know by now that everything we do is scrutinize And as a black people, we have to do better than anyone else just to be consider equal. We have been given subliminal messages to believe everything black is bad and everything white is good. This is a big lie. Isaiah said faggot maybe he should use the PC term the f-word. T. R. is a faggot. He is queer. I am sure he has heard worst. If not, he is a wimp. In the famous words of Martin Luther King Jr. We must learn to live together as brother or perish together as fools.

http://www.petitiononline.com/weluviw/petition.html
To keep Isaiah Washington on Grey’s Anatomy

Posted at 3:25AM on Jan 26th 2007 by Sisthagirl

219. I love Grey's Anatomy. I love the show and all of its cast members. I understand that some people are not happy with Isaiah and his recent behavior and use of the word "faggot." I understand that some people want him terminated from his job. I think that is BS. First of all, its just a word. A word that has been used to demean and vilify a certain group of people-homosexuals. But the man has apologized. The apology may have been a lie. It may have been genuine. It may have been BS. We don't know. We'll never know because we weren't there the day Dempsey and Isaiah got into their initial confrontation. What I do know is that if Isaiah were to be fired, Grey's Anatomy would be missing a large part of its essence. My favorite relationship on Grey's Anatomy is the one between Isaiah's character and Sandra Oh's character. If Isaiah were gone, no one would be able to fill his place. The show would be.... essentially lacking. So, lets all move on, get over it, and enjoy a show that will continue to rake in Oscars and Golden Globes. That's all that really matters right?

Posted at 4:33PM on Jan 26th 2007 by Sharnay

220. I think they are making a big deal out of nothing. He said faggot. Who cares? News/Media. Yes, because they want ratings. Fact: T. R. is a faggot. He said he is gay. So what. I am sure the gay guy have heard worst. If not, he is a wimp. The faggot or gay guy or whatever the correct PC term is needs to fight his own battles. Don’t go the Ellen’s show who is also gay and keep this feud going. The impression I got was a reporter asked Isaiah a question regarding the feud and Isaiah answered the question. Isaiah said he didn’t call T.R. a faggot. I don’t know who is telling the truth only the people who where there knows. I think they are making a big deal out of it because Isaiah is black and the gay guy/T. R. is a white. Isaiah has apologies again. I also think Isaiah is an excellent actor. He should not be fired and I'm not a fan of Grey's Anatomy. Isaiah If you want to keep your paycheck, I advise you to just say "no comment". You are going to have to kiss somebody ass for this. Isaiah as a black man you know how white people can be and the gay community. I am sure T.R. the gay guy use profanity and did call Isaiah all kinds of MF's, and the N-word in the privacy of his home. Who knows what really went down? Katherine Heigl needs to go somewhere and sit her ass down. She just wants her name in the paper. I am sure Isaiah wife will have his back. The N-word and faggot are in two difference category. Don’t ever compare the two. Yes, maybe Isaiah should have use a different word but T. R. is a faggot or gay. This is true. Isaiah has apologies twice. Let it go.

Posted at 2:08AM on Feb 2nd 2007 by Sisthagirl

Previous 15 Comments

Hot Tips