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

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Reader Comments

(Page 6 of 42)Previous 15 Comments | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

76. conSServative&republiKKKan,

haha, i am over it, i dont hate on germans, and that was my point!

Posted at 7:15PM on Jul 9th 2007 by J Rex

77. Well, living in the Detroit area, and just having come back from the funeral for the "N" word, I believe any reference to any person, using "ghetto slang", is totally very last week and classless. We'll have NO more of this crap. The words, HO, N_____, and the rest of the names that we (mostly) white people think are funny, are NOT FUNNY to black people and they would rather us not use them....which I am willing not to use out of respect for black people as human beings and as a race that has been verbally and physically tortured for hundreds of years. I know that they use it among themselves, but their black leaders are trying to change this. But, just because they use it among themselves does not make this an invitation for any person of any other race to use this for familiarities sake. It's too touchy, and this is the main reason that they are trying to end the use of said slang entirely. Don't use it anymore. THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO. I know. I know. I know. But, JUST DON'T USE IT. OK?

Posted at 7:17PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Kris Peterson

78. Oh, and what the hell happened to the 1st ammendment, anyway? I'm just sayin'......

Posted at 7:17PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Chris Bucka

79. I understand that Al Sharpton should let it go. But since when can you call an outfit a "ho". I was not aware that was possible. I think that the comment was said, it was wrong, an apology should have been issued, and it should be dropped. It really doesn't matter if she is black, white, blue, green or r, if she is Beyonce, Paris Hilton, Tracy Chapman or Wonder Woman, she or her outfit...should not have been called a ho!

Posted at 7:19PM on Jul 9th 2007 by world wide woman kw

80. did the rev sharp get no attention as a child?

seriously dude, feel free not to express your opinions about every little thing. we get it, you like to complain about stuff.

i don't think he believes any of the stuff he says, i think he just loves attention and this is the only way he could do it considering i don't know many people that would buy his sex tape.

Posted at 7:20PM on Jul 9th 2007 by kat

81. I will say that the rev. Sharpton is nothing but a raciest himself. He looks for anything he can to start trash. he is a reason why people don't get along. People like him only know how to start things and make the whole world jump on this band wagon that everyone is against black people. which I might say it not true. Why is it okay for a black man to call a black woman a bit** or hoe then a white person makes a joke and oh my the world is coming to an end, we are such raciest. The only raciest I see here is the rev. Al Sharpton, and his friends.

Posted at 7:21PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Sabrina

82. I wonder if it was Britney would the same description have been used......

as for what she was wearing------it was a costume...for pete's sake......


Al Sharpton was right to respond.

He is allowed,,,,isn't he?

perhaps he should have asked the Master.

Posted at 7:23PM on Jul 9th 2007 by esos1

83. Where was Sharpton when the black bitch lied about the Duke boys?

He was encouraging the bitch to lie. That's where he was. He is a person looking for anything that will keep him in the public eye. IMO he causes more racial strife than he helps. As my black friend says, 'He need to just go sit down.'

Posted at 7:27PM on Jul 9th 2007 by AMC Fan

84. What part of, they don't want us to use that kind of slang in reference to people, don't you understand? THEY DON'T WANT US TO USE THESE REFERRENCES WHEN SPEAKING OF ANY POEPLE AT ALL. I am white, and I get it. Don't do it and I WON'T. A simple request, and I respect it.

Posted at 7:27PM on Jul 9th 2007 by Kris Peterson

85. Al.. I have been your ho for years.. I have even had some babies by you.... I heard you wife is a ho too though lol she gives it up for her other boyfriends while you give it up for me.

You a ho because you are what you do and you do me thus you da big ole ho too!

Beyonce is a hot bitch just like Paris is a hot bitch!

Al Sharpton is the big ole ho!

Posted at 7:28PM on Jul 9th 2007 by AL SHARTON IS A BIG ASS HO

86. SHE NEEDS TO FIRE SOMEBODY...QUICK!

Posted at 7:28PM on Jul 9th 2007 by reader

87. How an ignorant, whiney, racist, biggott pig, ever got a tittle of "Reverend" is beyond explanation. The correct way to address this man, is ""Racist Al Sharpton". The same goes for that other bozo, Jesse Jackson. Black people are to smart and to brilliant to label these Jokers as "leaders" or to buy into the venon that spews out of their faces every time they open their mouths.

Posted at 7:28PM on Jul 9th 2007 by stopnthinkyo1

88. haha, of course conSServative&republiKKKan! as for you your_guilty_conscious, the jews are getting over it and not hating on every german that comes by or say "you oppressed me!!" and compare the ratio of holo movies to slave movies. and please do not bring the indians into this, that is a completely different horrible story and the last time i checked the indians werent hating on every white person they see. and no i dont have any friends that fly a confederate flag and even if they did whatever this is america and you should be able to do as you please.

Posted at 7:33PM on Jul 9th 2007 by J Rex

89. Dear anglo_saxon-against_JEWS,

awwww you poor thing, you see I dont care, therefore it's not a slam and you need to learn how to read and get an education

Posted at 7:35PM on Jul 9th 2007 by J Rex

90. I've seen PerezHilton write a lot worse about Beyonce (and others) than TMZ. GET OVER IT SHARPTON! YOU ARE MORE ATTENTION STARVED THAN BRITNEY SPEARS AND KIMBERLY STEWART COMBINED!!

Posted at 7:35PM on Jul 9th 2007 by E!

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