“Hollywood Blast: Whoopi Goldberg Humiliated After Shocking Iran Remarks – ‘Better Than Being Black in America!’ ”
Manila Star Exclusive – Reporter: Jenna Valverde

Los Angeles – In a live TV chat that stunned audiences around the world, veteran actress and host of “The View”, Whoopi Goldberg, made waves when she made what was considered the “most shocking statement of 2025”:

“I think living in Iran might be better than being black in America right now!”

The statement, within hours, became the number one hashtag on social media with the keyword #WhoopiCancelled and drew a wave of fierce criticism from the online community, social activists, as well as her most loyal fans.

Television tragedy – a moment of lapse that ruined a career?

The story began during a live broadcast of The View, where the topic was human rights in the Middle East. Goldberg, in her usual confident and sharp manner, abruptly switched gears, sharing that she had “been reading a lot about Iran lately” and that “at least people there know they’re being controlled – whereas in America, black people are still being held in an invisible prison.”

She continued:

“At least Iranian women know when they can be arrested – whereas here, we can be shot for walking in our neighborhood.”

A deadly silence fell over the set. Joy Behar – Goldberg’s longtime co-host – just rolled her eyes. The audience began to murmur. Within 10 minutes, the speech had been edited and spread like wildfire on TikTok, Instagram and Reddit.

Wave of reactions – From politics to Hollywood
Former First Lady Michelle Obama spoke out during a speech at Howard University:

“Such comparisons are a denial of the pain of millions of women and children in the Middle East. And an insult to the black community in America.”

Actor Denzel Washington shared on X (formerly Twitter):

“Whoopi was an icon. But today, she crossed the line.”

ABC’s sponsors – especially the famous cosmetics brand Glow USA – immediately withdrew their sponsorship, demanding Goldberg publicly apologize or leave the show.

What did Whoopi say next? An apology or… a challenge?

Three days after the shocking event, Goldberg appeared in a 60-second video posted on her personal Instagram with the title “Clarifying Controversial Statement”. In it, she said:

“I am not sorry. I speak the truth that no one else dares to speak. If it hurts you, ask yourself why.”

The statement sparked further outrage. Within 24 hours, more than 1 million people had signed a petition calling for ABC to fire Goldberg.

Shocking developments: Goldberg suspended, facing lawsuit?

An ABC insider told the Manila Star that the board of directors is holding an emergency meeting, and Goldberg has been suspended indefinitely. Furthermore, a group of lawyers representing human rights organizations in the US and Iran sent a letter demanding moral damages, accusing Goldberg of spreading false information, insulting the international community, and possibly “unintentionally encouraging oppressive policies”.

Final words: Legend and abyss are just a sentence apart
From one of Hollywood’s most revered black cultural icons, Goldberg is facing the darkest moment of her career. Can she recover from the worst scandal of her life, or will she be erased from history as a testament to the destructive power of a poorly timed statement?

Manila Star will continue to follow this shocking incident closely.

NEXT UPDATE: “Leaked internal ABC emails reveal Whoopi threatened to quit if she was not allowed to speak freely!”