Television host Bill Maher has been heavily criticised for comments he made about Jada Pinkett Smith following the Oscars slap involving Will Smith and Chris Rock.
In case you missed it, Will stormed the stage at the awards ceremony and slapped comedian Chris after he likened Jada to the fictional action character GI Jane, who shaves her head.
Jada has previously spoken out about suffering from alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss.
On Friday, the TV host commented on Jada’s condition during an episode of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, where he told the Girls Trip actress to ‘just put on a f***ing wig.’
He further downplayed her condition by saying she’s ‘lucky’ that this is her medical problem, stating that it is ‘part of ageing’.
‘I mean, alopecia, it’s not leukaemia, OK?’ Bill said at the start his show, adding: ‘Alopecia is when your hair falls out – there are worse things.’
Later in the episode he returned back to the topic and said: ‘If you are so lucky in life as to have that be your medical problem, just say “Thank God.”
‘It’s not life-threatening.
‘It’s part of – for most people, 80% of men, 50% of women – it’s part of ageing.’
He added that ageing ‘happens to all of us’.
‘And you know, just put on a f***ing wig like everybody else at the Oscars if it bothers you so much.’
People have taken to Twitter to slam Bill’s ‘seriously insensitive and ignorant’ comments.
One person wrote: ‘This is truly despicable. I understand the blow back and some of your position, but alopecia isn’t something we should make light of. Grow up old man.’
Another person added: ‘Your comments about Jada are disgusting. You should be ashamed talking about a woman like that.’
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Since the viral Oscars moment, Will has announced he would be resigning from the Academy, saying in a statement shared via Variety: ‘The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home.
‘I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken.’
He added: ‘I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film.’
Will concluded: ‘Change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted Bill Maher’s representatives for comment.
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