We didn’t even know it was possible…
Appearing on The Ellen Show is anyone’s dream, and with each episode averaging around 4 million viewers and her campaigns promising to #breaktheinternet, it’s hardly surprising that there’s a long list of A-listers dying to feature on the daytime platform - Jennifer Aniston on Ellen is literally everything.
This week, however, one celebrity had their appearance cancelled after causing offence.
Gospel singer Kim Burrell was scheduled to perform a duet with Pharrell on the Thursday show to present their new song, I See Victory, from the soundtrack of the upcoming film Hidden Figures. However, her appearance was cancelled after making headlines and causing mass offence this week when video footage was released of the singer preaching anti-gay sermons.
Burrell can be heard saying, ‘To every person who is dealing with the homosexual spirit, that has it, I love you and God loves you but God hates the sin in you and me. Anything that is against the nature of God.’
Following the backlash that ensued and grew louder when Burrell refused to apologise, Ellen announced on Twitter, ‘For those asking, Kim Burrell will not be appearing on my show.’
Pharrell echoed Ellen’s sentiments, sharing an Instagram post that read ‘I condemn hate speech of any kind. There is no room in this world for any kind of prejudice. My greatest hope is for inclusion and love for all humanity in 2017 and beyond.’
Ellen has been praised by her followers for taking a stand with Cole Ledford tweeting ‘Thank you Ellen for taking away that platform from her and standing up for our community again. Hate should never be rewarded.’
It’s hardly surprising that Ellen has no tolerance for Burrell’s actions, with the openly gay TV host being a keen advocate for the LGBT community. She was even honoured recently with the Medal of Freedom for her role in pushing America ‘in the direction of justice’.
‘It’s easy to forget now just how much courage was required for Ellen to come out on the most public of stages 20 years ago,’ explained Barack Obama as he awarded her, ‘and she did pay a price – we don’t remember this. I hadn’t remembered. She did, for a pretty long stretch of time – even in Hollywood.’ He continued: ‘What an incredible burden that was to bear. To risk your career like that - people don’t do that very often.'
