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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(Page 5 of 42)Previous 15 Comments | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

61. Let me see if I have it....show-biz woman dresses poorly ,her arse hanging out , and gets called on it. Face it ,if she walked in any red light district in that she would get numerous offers. CALL IT WHAT IT IS. Now ,here comes the "REVEREND" with his bag of what I say goes and the world jumps to attention. GET REAL!! Women in entertainment have a history of cheesecake -or more risque-poses and outfits. What burns my fur is the reverends Sharpton & Jackson hiding behind the cloth and the Cross without paying the price. Spiritual leaders lead by EXAMPLE, not "do as I say ,not as I do". Expect more , don't settle for less. Entertainment is just entertainment ,after all.

Posted at 7:01PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Donn

62. Again a no talent, annoying vocals, overrated singer. I'm sorry but the girl has the most annyoing voice EVER. She should just keep her mouth shut and model. AND NO I'M SAYING THIS SHE A BLACK SINGER!!! she fits in with the Ashley Simpsons, Brittany Spears, Avril Lavign, and Rhianna's of the music industry.

Posted at 7:01PM on Jul 9th 2007 by deelicious692

63. your guilty conscience-Why in the hell would we feel guilty for something people did before us? Slavery is gone, has been. Get over it, and come up with something new.

Posted at 7:02PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Fergie

64. Go TMZ! Rev. Al has really gone too far this time! How ridiculous!

Posted at 7:03PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Niki

65. I didn't seem him rushing to the defense of Lindsey Lohan, Brooke Hogan, etc. when these terms were used towards them (or do I really need to specify that I mean their clothing). If Al Sharpton is co concerned with the term "ho" being used against women, he should step up for all women, not just when it is used against a black women like Beyonce. And for the record, that outfit she was wearing deserved more then the "ho" comment - did she fire her stylist yet?!?

Posted at 7:04PM on Jul 9th 2007 by katie

66. Put a sock in it Al!

Posted at 7:06PM on Jul 9th 2007 by kimmie

67. I agree completely, deelicious692, You forgot another non-singer, Gwen Steffani!

Posted at 7:07PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Ginny

68. it was actually the black community that came up with the word 'ho' in the first place because they were too stupid to know the word was spelled 'whore'........ tsk tsk mr sharpton, always part of the problem never part of the solution.......

Posted at 7:09PM on Jul 9th 2007 by little-bit

69. The term was not racially motivated, it was motivated by what she wore and should have also taken into account how she presents herself.
If she (and anyone else, black OR white) do not want to be compared to "ho"s or any other degrading word, then they need to stop degrading themselves!!
Tuck in your boobs, tone down the prostitute make-up, get a couple more inches on those shorts, ditch the hooker boots, and stop shaking your asses in people's faces and writhing around like a stripper. Maybe then, nobody would ever associate you or your outfit with the word "ho."

Posted at 7:09PM on Jul 9th 2007 by prude

70. Al Sharpton's an asshole.

Posted at 7:10PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Rachel

71. #79 you read my mind as soon as i hit send i realized i forgot to add her too! God isn't she horrible too?

Posted at 7:10PM on Jul 9th 2007 by deelicious692

72. I still think harvey is an ass kisser. He's just like PerezHilton. I do think Beyonce looked like a robot. I don't know about ho. I don't see where that would fit. Her outfit wasn't skimpy. Harvey needs to look up a real ho, how about paris hilton?

Posted at 7:11PM on Jul 9th 2007 by harvey is a brown noser

73. I AM A BLACK WOMAN AND PEOPLE TAKE THINGS WAY TOO PERSONALLY.....THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE AL SHARPTON SHOULD BE HELPING OTHER THAN BEYONCE WHO IS RICH AND CAN SPEAK FOR HERSELF IS SHE WAS OFFENDED. AL SHARPTON SHOULD BE SPEAKING ABOUT HOW THE MEDIA DOES NOT SHOW ANY BLACK PEOPLE MISSING BUT IF YOUR WHITE THE WHOLE WORLD LOOKS FOR YOU.
SHE DID LOOK LIKE A HO IN HER ATTIRE....

Posted at 7:11PM on Jul 9th 2007 by WOWO

74. I'm curious....what is the ethinicity of the writer, blogger of this story? I detect a pc move....sounds like a woman or brother of color. Please advise....

Posted at 7:12PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Alicia

75. Rev Al needs tostop commenting about every thing. the more he comments, the more racism he stirrs up or creates. he is annoying, as is beyonce. im so tired of her and her tacky fashion choices. and thank you tmz for your response to sharpton.

Posted at 7:14PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Lissie

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