Gabourey Sidibe breaks silence on Kathy Hilton’s 'racist' Lizzo blunder

Gabourey Sidibe has finally shared her thoughts on the awkward moment Kathy Hilton confused her with singer Lizzo.

During a 2022 episode of Watch What Happens Live, Hilton was shown a photo of Lizzo but asked, “[Is that] Precious?” referring to Sidibe’s famous film character.

When the audience fell silent, Hilton doubled down, claiming, “That’s, like, what I call her. Her nickname’s Precious to me.”

Speaking on the One54 podcast, the 42-year-old Oscar nominee found the excuse hard to swallow.

“That was weird because I have been to that lady’s house and had a meeting with her,” Sidibe laughed, adding, “I was like, ‘I know you — Kathy.’”

The actress expressed frustration at being lumped together with other high-profile figures. “I’ve been confused for many a Black fat, like many, many, many women. And it’s always weird and tinged with racism,” she explained.

Sidibe was particularly struck by the fact that Hilton, who once wanted to dress her, did not use her actual name.

“You oughta know my real name, also, ’cause she said ‘Precious?’ I just…I don’t know.” While Hilton previously blamed the gaffe on "awful vision" and nerves, Sidibe’s recent comments suggest the sting of the misidentification remains.

For the actress, it was not just a simple mistake but a "strange" dismissal of her identity by someone she had met personally.

By speaking out now, Sidibe highlights the tiring reality of being misidentified in an industry that still struggles with basic recognition.