The Truth, The Ho Truth and Nothing But the Truth

Posted Jul 9th 2007 5:54PM by TMZ Staff

Thank you Rev. Sharpton. In response to your statement questioning TMZ's use of the term "roboho," first and foremost, please note that we called Beyonce's performance outfit "roboho" not Ms. Knowles herself. There is a difference. One need not know a celebrity personally to have an opinion on their wardrobe. Joan Rivers created an entire industry based on this fact.

As to accusations that our comment was racially motivated, TMZ has humorously called into question many celebs for wearing racy outfits -- regardless of their race. In the past, TMZ referred to Victoria Beckham, aka Posh Spice, as "poshtitute," Hulk Hogan's daughter a "working girl" and called Lindsay Lohan's trashy ensemble a "HO-rror." A tight mini-dress is a tight mini-dress! Even Kid Rock got a humorous "ho" reference in a December 2006 story, and last we checked, he was neither Black nor a woman.

The point of the BET Awards story was to humorously highlight the fashion missteps of celebrity attendees at the show. We were making light of their outfits -- not who they are as people. With everything serious going on in our world, if you can't make fun of something as superficial as awards show clothing, then what can you make fun of? TMZ has done similar fashion stories for the Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, CMTs, etc. If nothing else, the wardrobe critique of the BET Awards proved that TMZ is an equal opportunity offender when it comes to the snarky fashion policing of Hollywood.

We ask you, should the word "ho" be banned? Or only in reference to Black women? Isn't the context in which a word is used almost as important, if not more so, than the actual word? While others may have used the term with maliciousness -- we clearly did not. It was a humor piece -- as all of our fashion roundup stories are.

TMZ appreciates your feedback, Rev. Sharpton, and the dialogue it has opened, but it is clear that the only thing more subjective than what is fashionable, is what one finds funny.

Filed under: Beyonce Knowles, Features

Comments [621]
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Reader Comments

(Page 41 of 42)Previous 15 Comments | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

601. Maybe the term 'Ho' isn't race/gender specific at all. Whenever I hear or see Sharpton the terms AttentionHo and MediaHo come to my mind.

Posted at 10:09PM on Jul 18th 2007 by pasnthru

602. If Azz-Wipe Al actually had a relevant comment that reflected intelligent thinking...I'd fall off the planet!! Has he ever done anything worthwhile?

Posted at 4:24PM on Jul 19th 2007 by tony

603. Sharpton is a HUGE racist......why is he always running his mouth?? At this point he complains SO MUCH it is a JOKE when he opens his mouth to spill out more garbage! Al you're an ass and I doubt anyone out there...but maybe a HO would listen to anything you have to say. YOU'RE SO BORING AND SO YESTERDAY!!

Posted at 1:40PM on Jul 20th 2007 by Amy

604. This is my first time reading TMZ, and I love it! Your response to Mr. SHARPIE was right on target. It was definitely HI-larious

Posted at 3:53PM on Jul 20th 2007 by Nat

605. I'm personally sick of Al Sharpton and his perm! THere are ho 's of every color...speaking of which I think Al needs to stop being a media WHORE himself and stop going after everybody for attention! Somebody give him a frikkin hug...THERE YOU GO AL!... next you should go after the word frikkin ...then booty....then maybe buttcrack...then doo doo... I got so many more....

Posted at 6:32PM on Jul 20th 2007 by Jacknai

606. You are a web sight so I know that you have computers,so you should do a little research before you make up some of these words. I typed in the word roboho just to see what would come up. A lot of things came up about this situation but did you also know that roboho was a sight for sex games and toys, so are you saying thats where she got her outfit. some people might think that.

Posted at 6:46PM on Jul 20th 2007 by research

607. Oh puhleeze Sharpton! Sharpton is such an idiot to even take the time to do this. It's called "HUMOR".
Look it up, Al.

Posted at 4:35PM on Jul 23rd 2007 by mitch

608. Al Sharpton is a racist ho.

Posted at 7:09PM on Jul 23rd 2007 by ihatemorons

609. Al Sharpton is always imposing his racist opinion on us. Why do we even give this misguided, one sided, moron the print or media attention? I am sick of the politically correct crowd and they will be the undoing of our great nation! Screw Al Sharpton and others like him! Wah! Wah! Wah!

Posted at 11:46AM on Jul 26th 2007 by kel

610. Your comments mostly go over my head and don't bother me at all EXCEPT when they rename people and insinuate they are ho's: like Eva Longhoria and Poshtitute. Neither of these ladies are whores. It's just plain unkind to call names when these are your bread and butter.

Posted at 10:06PM on Jul 26th 2007 by Rocky

611. In response to the comments "coco" made on July 9th, I would like to point out that African Americans did not invent the words ho, bitches and negroes. The use of these words were initiated by white men back in the times of slavery to describe African American men and women. Also, although I am not in agreement with Al Sharpton's wasting time in dealing with this insignificant matter, Rev. Sharpton along with Bill Cosby, C. Dolores Tucker and other noted African Americans have tried to speak to the community as a whole, but especially to the African American community about the use of such offensive words. I think if we are going to make statements, we should at least have ALL of our facts correct.

Posted at 10:21PM on Jul 27th 2007 by simply_me

612. Well there goes hohoho Merry is this not just humor or is it a surpree meeting? I'm so confused or dare I say used ...

Posted at 12:41AM on Jul 28th 2007 by rev black

613. Do we have nothing more important going on in the world than what Al Sharpton deems offensive by his own terms. The fact that he wants to limit our freedom of speech and the press and is more offensive to me than anything.

Posted at 6:41PM on Jul 29th 2007 by Sharon

614. It is literally SAD that a web site would demean a female in the way tmz has other women. I only joined this site to make this response, as by no other means would i grace my presence at a place of trash. Obviously this sharpton gentleman has some form of character and substance. He appears to speak on morals of which i see this tmz site lacks with utter disgrace. Labeling human beings names as if they are mere robots is fine unless someone hurts your child because he or she is gay, rapes your child because she denied his advances and so one. Either way everyone deserves a certain amount of respect just by being human. Ms Knowles appears to have conducted herself in a lady like manner during her career. I've never once read anything truthful about her in adulturous affairs, partying all night, like many of the other poor examples of young female celebs. TMZ, whomever your management is or those who allow you to perform such dispicable name calling to others, will have to see the wrath of God for the gossip and filth on this site. For what you sow you will also reap in due time.

Good day.

Posted at 1:43AM on Aug 1st 2007 by BeReal101

615. beyonce is a dumb ho..why does she have to wear that bull anyway?? remember the days when real singers like AALIYAH would just wear a top and matching pants and still rock the house.beyonce walks around dressed like common street walker! being black female myself im sorry al sharpton took offense to TMZ comment on her but beyonce needs someone to tell her the truth and the truth is she dresses like a ho.

Posted at 9:15PM on Aug 2nd 2007 by babygirlwade

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