“I Forgot What Kindness Looked Like”: Whoopi Goldberg Gets Emotional Over David Corenswet’s Superman in a Rare, Raw TV Moment

There are moments on live television that catch even the most seasoned viewers off guard — and sometimes, they catch the hosts, too.

On the July 10 episode of The View, Whoopi Goldberg opened up in a rare moment of vulnerability, sharing how deeply she was moved by David Corenswet’s portrayal of Superman in the new DC reboot. But what started as casual commentary on a movie took a surprising turn — one that felt more like a soul-searching reflection than a typical press appearance.

“I didn’t expect to feel what I felt,” Goldberg, 69, admitted to Corenswet and co-star Rachel Brosnahan, who were guests on the show that day. “As I was watching the film, I felt this strange… irritation. I didn’t understand it at first. Then it hit me: I had forgotten what genuine kindness even looks like.”

She paused. The studio grew quiet.

“I kept waiting for Superman to crack a joke, to throw in some sarcasm — because that’s what we’ve grown used to seeing. But he didn’t. He stayed steady, sincere, gentle. And I realized I was uncomfortable because I wasn’t used to seeing that anymore.”

Then came the words that surprised even her co-hosts.

“So I fell in love with you as Superman,” she told Corenswet directly, eyes welling with emotion.

This wasn’t just a celebrity praising another performer. It was a deeply human moment — one that cut through the layers of TV production, superhero nostalgia, and celebrity press tours. It reminded audiences of why stories like Superman’s matter in the first place.

Goldberg, who was a close friend of the late Christopher Reeve (the original Superman of the 1978–1987 Warner Bros. films), confessed that Corenswet’s take on the character brought her back to a place she hadn’t visited in years.

“Seeing this film made me question myself,” she said. “What happened to me? When did I become someone who didn’t even recognize sincerity when it was right in front of me?”

For a generation raised on snark and sarcasm — both on and off-screen — her words hit home. In a world where vulnerability is often masked with irony, and kindness mistaken for weakness, seeing a Superman who simply… cared felt revolutionary.

Directed by James Gunn, the new Superman film reintroduces audiences to Clark Kent (Corenswet), a young reporter and hero balancing his duty to the world with a quiet inner compass. He’s not loud, he’s not flashy, and he’s not trying to be cool. Instead, he’s steady — and that, as Goldberg pointed out, is what makes him so powerful.

Rachel Brosnahan, who plays Lois Lane, brings her signature intelligence and strength to the role, adding emotional weight and chemistry that grounds the film. The supporting cast is equally stacked: Nicholas Hoult takes on Lex Luthor, Skyler Gisondo appears as Jimmy Olsen, Milly Alcock joins as Supergirl, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, and Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern.

Corenswet, 32, shared a few behind-the-scenes moments from set — including the first time he stepped into the Superman suit.

“It was honestly terrifying,” he said with a laugh. “As Christopher Reeve once said, ‘It’s just you in your tights.’ You’re completely exposed.”

But the magic wasn’t lost on him.

“I looked around and saw our crew — grown men, tough guys — suddenly become little boys again. That’s when I knew something special was happening.”

In a cinematic universe often focused on spectacle and scale, Superman takes a quieter route. It leans into sincerity over cynicism. And for Goldberg — and likely many others — it was a wake-up call.

“He reminded me of something I didn’t know I missed,” she said. “That kind of goodness, that kind of gentleness — it’s rare now. But maybe that’s why it matters more than ever.”

Superman flies into theaters Friday, July 11 — and if you’re ready to believe in goodness again, it might just be the reminder you need.