Gabourey Sidibe is finally weighing in on the moment Kathy Hilton confused her with Lizzo – and she’s setting the record straight.
Nearly four years after the awkward slip went viral, the Oscar-nominated actress Gabourey Sidibe addressed the mix-up that left viewers cringing.
The moment unfolded during a 2022 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, when Hilton took part in the show’s celebrity guessing game, Will Kathy Know Them?
Shown a photo of Lizzo, Hilton confidently suggested it was Gabourey Sidibe, asking if the singer was ‘Precious.’
As Andy Cohen and the audience visibly squirmed, Hilton doubled down, insisting it was a nickname – a moment that quickly sparked backlash online over its uncomfortable optics
Sidibe, 42, recalled the exchange on Wednesday’s episode of the One54 podcast, laughing, ‘That was weird because I have been to that lady’s house and had a meeting with her… I was like, “I know you — Kathy.”
She continued, ‘I’ve never met Lizzo, but Lizzo and I do different things. I’ve been confused for many a Black fat, like many, many, many women. And it’s always weird and tinged with racism.’
She then doubled down, saying, ‘I did think that was weird, Kathy Hilton. Because I have been to that woman’s house and had a meeting with her because she wanted to dress me. I was like, that’s so strange.’
Gabourey Sidibe seemed taken aback by Hilton referring to her as her famous character.
‘You oughta know my real name, also, ’cause she said ‘Precious?’ I just…I don’t know.’
After the slip went viral, Hilton tried to explain the mix-up, blaming her poor eyesight and the distance from the on-set TV screen.
‘The screen was so far away and my vision is terrible, she tweeted, adding in her defense, ‘If you recall, I [crying emojis] couldn’t even make out who Justin Timberlake or Melissa Etheridge was.’
But Twitter wasn’t having it, with one viewer writing, ‘It doesn’t matter if she didn’t know who she was nor if her intention was “harmless”, calling a plus size Black woman “Precious” is an insult. She still decided to comment on her weight [eye roll emoji].’
Another fumed, ‘If Kathy Hilton thought Lizzo was Precious (a fictional character from a movie which was adapted from a book by the same name) then she’s either: 1. A liar. 2. A lying idiot 3. Racist. 4. A lying, racist, idiot.’
Despite the viral drama, Sidibe has continued to thrive.
After her breakout role in the 2009 Oscar-nominated hit Precious, she’s built a diverse career spanning film, TV, and stage.
She starred in The Big C, Empire, and American Horror Story, and has been celebrated for breaking barriers for plus-size actresses in Hollywood.
Sidibe also uses her platform to speak openly about body positivity, race, and the challenges of navigating Tinseltown as a Black woman.
She’s returning for American Horror Story season 13 alongside franchise veterans Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, and Leslie Grossman.
Ariana Grande joins the cast as a newcomer.