Williams was talking about the holiday "Galentine's Day," created by the TV show Parks & Recreation, which celebrates female friendships the day before Valentine's Day.
When she saw men clapping along with the women after a joke, she commented:
"If you're a man and you're clapping, you're not even a part of this. I don't care if you're gay. You don't get a [menstrual period] every 28 days. You can do a lot that we do, but I get offended by the idea that we go through something you will never go through."
Williams then went on to say to gay men:
"Stop wearing our skirts and our heels. Girls, what do we have for ourselves? You'll never be the woman that we are, no matter how gay!"
. @WendyWilliams to LGBT community. “I get offended at the idea that we go through something you will NEVER go thro… https://t.co/lgBnEfyu60— CodeineAmari (@CodeineAmari) 1581620106
Internet users everywhere denounced Williams's comments as homophobic and transphobic.
Oh, Wendy. Your homophobia is showing: Wendy Williams to Gay Men: 'Stop Wearing Our Skirts and Our Heels' https://t.co/qFVwhUsrtv— Jeffrey Luscombe (@Jeffrey Luscombe) 1581626159
@WendyWilliams i love you, i really do but if you’re telling us to stop wearing “y’all skirts and heels”, then give… https://t.co/RZe9Szi6JH— Bru_e_williams 💕 (@Bru_e_williams 💕) 1581637109
.@WendyWilliams, some friendly reminders: 1. Many cis women would be offended by having their womanhood reduced to… https://t.co/yuGEDTaFv1— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️⚧️🇺🇦 (@Charlotte Clymer 🏳️⚧️🇺🇦) 1581633607
Wendy Williams seems to have some trouble avoiding controversy.
Earlier this year, she had to issue an apology after making fun of a scar on Joaquin Phoenix's lip.
In 2018, she said she was "sick" of the #MeToo movement.
Y’all remember when Wendy Williams got coin to do that awful Drag Race commentary during the commercial breaks? 😅 N… https://t.co/bT8xQMQDQ7— Kelly Mantle (@Kelly Mantle) 1581636903
Gays obsessed with @WendyWilliams is on our team: SHE. IS. NOT. Drop her. She's toxic. https://t.co/iX7hS6gmfX— Matthew Rettenmund (@Matthew Rettenmund) 1581624196
Many pointed out notable LGBTQ celebrities who wear high heels and skirts.
#WendyWilliams @WendyWilliams life long watcher but no more! You are a transphobic / homophobic woman who doesn’t g… https://t.co/sNavVdme8Q— Paul Schmidt (@Paul Schmidt) 1581637933
Transphobia is no laughing matter.
Before long, Williams had issued an apology to her fans.
But for many, the damage had been done.
Wendy Williams will have to be more careful in the future—there's a fine but important line between speaking frankly about gender and being ignorant and intolerant.
"Fartgate" began as many online scandals do: from the keyboard of a shrewd television viewer that possesses both a Twitter account and far too much time on their hands.
Wendy Williams really farted on live TV. I am unable. https://t.co/rZBLijgauZ— Psyflop (@Psyflop) 1579440228.0
The replies to the original tweet were a fart-fueled snowball. This became the toot heard round the world.
@holdmydxckk @RandyEmillio Everyone behind the camera when she let it rip like a Beyblade https://t.co/QVWLbI3p8R— NB🇬🇭 (@NB🇬🇭) 1579494400.0
@RandyEmillio Me in the audience after I heard it https://t.co/E176GB3Qaq— Zay 👑 (@Zay 👑) 1579478036.0
But was Williams truly the culprit?
She made a passionate case denying the charge on a recent episode.
How does she justify her tell-tale break wind lean, then?
"I don't lean over like this to release a fart. I'm leaning over like this because it's comfortable."
"If I sit [straight up] all the time it's heavy on my spine. I don't have the back. I'm not trying to get the back."
Wendy then proceeded to deconstruct her entire approach to flatulence.
"I barely fart. You know why? Because gas gets released several different ways and mine is belching."
Williams then brings out John – whose role on Wendy's production team was left completely unmentioned.
This guy blamed the chemist guest Wendy had that day, who was allegedly setting up in the back during her "Hot Topics" portion of the show, where she gives hot takes on the celebrity news of the day.
John walked folks through a long-winded description of the properties of a substance known as "air gas."
"We were doing an experiment out here with a tank...and we didn't have the proper hose."
"It wasn't working and the air was just coming out and it was sputtering like somebody was farting."
But it seems that the explanation didn't quite do the job.
YouTube viewers doubled down on the fart claim.
Tom N/Youtube
Tamara Magdalene/Youtube
This guy even ups the ante.
David Rivera/Youtube
Twitter didn't disappoint either.
@ETCanada The classic case of People who denied it v.s. People who supplied it— Señor Panchod (@Señor Panchod) 1579815228.0
@ETCanada She lies like a cheap rug😂😂 It was a fart and we all do it from time to time.— Tammy Marchand (@Tammy Marchand) 1579816377.0
Though it's not the first time a live TV fart made some waves.
California Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell allegedly let one rip while firmly touting the case to impeach trump.
Internet sleuths gonna internet sleuth.
During a segment on her self-titled talk show regarding football player Odell Beckham Jr., regarding an arrest warrant out for him after "a video from the LSU locker room shows him slapping the butt of an officer who resisted the urge to punch him," Wendy Williams let out a long, slow fart and continued on like nothing happened.
For streamlined, quality fart time, skip to around 9:25. You shall be rewarded.
Of course, fans noticed—you can't get away with anything on the internet these days.
And they, as one fan put it, are "unable."
Wendy Williams really farted on live TV. I am unable. https://t.co/rZBLijgauZ— Psyflop (@Psyflop) 1579440228.0
Sis didn’t even try to hide it https://t.co/Qf7xuAstgZ— Psyflop (@Psyflop) 1579440360.0
Wendy Williams let out the wettest fart on her show yesterday sksksksjs— R.I.P Betty White (@R.I.P Betty White) 1579367542.0
Wendy Williams just let one out on live TV. 😂 Now don't you act like you don't fart nah what i'm saying 😂 https://t.co/wQAzwrn4Qd— Sleek Whizz🦂 (@Sleek Whizz🦂) 1579499227.0
Did Wendy Williams really fart on tv or did one of y’all edit that? Cuz if she did... 😭😂— 𝕊𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕞𝕒𝕣𝕦 (@𝕊𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕞𝕒𝕣𝕦) 1579487992.0
People were wondering how the audience must have felt.
Tha audience after Wendy Williams let out the mean wet fart on live tv https://t.co/id1RwygRnD— Jay Tanjiro (@Jay Tanjiro) 1579504684.0
@sternshow @HowardStern @shalomshuli @brenthatley @Siriusjay Is it just me or Did Ms @WendyWilliams fart on Live tv… https://t.co/OKQN7lmhR0— erick (@erick) 1579369678.0
She actually farted and it was loud af. Lmao catch it at the 9:28 mark🤣😂🤣😂 https://t.co/liQkvOpj6a— Clinton-Clan (@Clinton-Clan) 1579488277.0
i just saw wendy williams sneak a fart out while talking on her show and i’m literally crying— K2️⃣ Kush (@K2️⃣ Kush) 1579468897.0
Others pointed out this isn't the first time Ms. Williams has been caught red-handed—or rather, red-bootied—farting on live tv.
The burp/fart!! #WendyWilliams #fart #burp https://t.co/KO5uv1GimD— Robert Guerrero (@Robert Guerrero) 1579022739.0
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 How is she gonna burp and fart on the air and not say "excuse me?" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 @WendyWilliams @50cent https://t.co/M3OzvscX8w— Eric Richards (@Eric Richards) 1579048684.0
New York’s hottest club is: the Wendy Williams show. it has everything: Abby quitting, a reference to hair/makeup,… https://t.co/58tIWnmCtd— harie 🥵 (@harie 🥵) 1579057063.0
And her "cover" for it?
Was not so subtle.
Omgeeeeee when she leaned over and grunted ever so subtly I LOST IT 🤣🤣🤣💀💀💀🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/wMMreGGAo6— | · Tre' Tre' · | (@| · Tre' Tre' · |) 1579489289.0
Sometimes you just have to let it out #WendyWilliams #fart #gossipgirl #celebrity #accident #MondayVibes… https://t.co/j59yWuh9XB— SomethingToLaughAt (@SomethingToLaughAt) 1579529003.0
Forget "Wendy Williams faints on live TV", here is "Wendy Williams FARTS on live TV" MUCH BETTER https://t.co/O80oHM690O— ~ Bühler ~ ✊🏻⚡️💜🎶 (@~ Bühler ~ ✊🏻⚡️💜🎶) 1579526514.0
Sis, you just plowed on through!
Well, if it needed to come out, it's best that it did...even if millions of people caught that moment.
While doing a recap of the Golden Globes on her talk show, The Wendy Williams Show, Williams focused first on Beyonce's decision not to rise for the standing ovation given to Joaquin Phoenix after his win for Joker. At first, in what seemed like a commentary on Beyonce's refusal to rise, Williams asked who Joaquin Phoenix is, but very quickly any point she was trying to make got lost in the weeds.
Instead of focusing on Phoenix's win for Joker, or other ways he's contributed to the acting community, she instead focused on his appearance.
Williams confessed:
"By the way, I think I've shared this with you before: I find him oddly attractive. He played that Johnny Cash. It wasn't Reese [Witherspoon] who kept me. It was him."
While referencing a picture from Joker, Williams said:
"This right here, I don't know anything about this."
Williams then tried to make a point, before the whole commentary turned ugly:
"He knows how to transform. When he shaves [his beard] off... The way he looks at you... he's got that good nose... He's got that, what do you call it? Cleft lip. I find that to be very attractive."
Williams then pulled up her lip in a mocking way and held the gesture for an upwards of ten seconds for the camera.
Fox
Comments started pouring in quickly regarding Williams' insensitive actions.
Many said this qualified as bullying against those born with cleft palates or cleft lips and demanded Williams respond and apologize for her behavior.
Day 3 We are still waiting for a @WendyWilliams apology to the cleft community. Outside of that, seeing everyone c… https://t.co/32Xb9aTP1C— Adam Bighill (@Adam Bighill) 1578871314.0
@WendyWilliams should feel ashamed for being so disrespectful joking about Joaquin Phoenix cleft lip, not only to h… https://t.co/BX9t07f0TK— brandon (@brandon) 1578507362.0
@WendyWilliams - as the mom of an 11 yr old girl who was born with cleft lip & palate, I was horrified to see you m… https://t.co/04w3zkfCLa— Julie Snyder 🧢 (@Julie Snyder 🧢) 1578498859.0
One of the most vocal critics was Canadian football player Adam Bighill, whose young son, Beau, had surgery just this week to repair his lip.
Today is Beau’s big day. He is getting his lip repaired today in Winnipeg by the fantastic Dr. Ross. Thanks to ever… https://t.co/oXAPoHIj6b— Adam Bighill (@Adam Bighill) 1579106292.0
He called Williams out for promoting "bullying."
Thank you @FarhanLaljiTSN at the end of the day this is something we can all rally behind, and that’s a mission to… https://t.co/MngHJ0eBFu— Adam Bighill (@Adam Bighill) 1579108235.0
After several days of silence, Williams offered an apology to Bighill and the cleft community while asking her fans to donate to a charity that helps those with facial deformities through free corrective surgical procedures.
. @Bighill44 We’re thinking about Beau today as he is in surgery. I want to apologize to the cleft community and in… https://t.co/J4dSywb298— Wendy Williams (@Wendy Williams) 1579135247.0
Many, however, were unhappy with the brief apology and pointed out that it was more of an ask for donations.
Williams also appears to attempt to buy her way out of her behavior with her show's donations to the two causes.
She also didn't apologize to Phoenix specifically, who was the target of her original comments.
@WendyWilliams @Bighill44 @operationsmile @AmerCleftPalate So it's ok to be a bully if you can pay your way out of it?— Golden Goose (@Golden Goose) 1579143650.0
@WendyWilliams @Bighill44 @operationsmile @AmerCleftPalate BYE WENDY, BYE! #Shameful #heartless— Annette Tucci (@Annette Tucci) 1579138796.0
@WendyWilliams @Bighill44 @operationsmile @AmerCleftPalate Your apology doesn’t change the meaning you are awful pe… https://t.co/mPz2gX8z5z— ⭐️✨POSH🌟💫 (@⭐️✨POSH🌟💫) 1579140542.0
@WendyWilliams @Bighill44 @operationsmile @AmerCleftPalate What you did was totally unacceptable. I’m a speech pat… https://t.co/itmZXbvuTK— Robert Evans (@Robert Evans) 1579144417.0
@kuhnperalta @WendyWilliams @Bighill44 @operationsmile @AmerCleftPalate She’s not sorry-only doing it to hang on to… https://t.co/XUlvOvKUuU— Joan Young (@Joan Young) 1579157343.0
@WendyWilliams @Bighill44 @operationsmile @AmerCleftPalate I have a cleft lip and palate and had multiple correctio… https://t.co/Kx0nbLs5ZK— a Millennial (@a Millennial) 1579143474.0
@WendyWilliams @Bighill44 @operationsmile @AmerCleftPalate Too little, too late... a grown woman should know better… https://t.co/niypV5aIhS— Lynda S (@Lynda S) 1579135395.0
@WendyWilliams @Bighill44 @operationsmile @AmerCleftPalate As a person with a cleft lip your so called apology isn’… https://t.co/AvzhWErx1u— Paul 🏳️🌈 (@Paul 🏳️🌈) 1579141502.0
@WendyWilliams @Bighill44 @operationsmile @AmerCleftPalate Too little too late. You’re always running that big mout… https://t.co/YbpmHwiiMA— #RIPKevinBacon (@#RIPKevinBacon) 1579137685.0
Whether or not Williams will expand upon her apology and include Joaquin Phoenix this time remains unclear.
But many hope Williams will think before she speaks in the future.