A resurfaced video of Emily Blunt fat-shaming a server on the Jonathan Ross Show in 2012 spread rapidly on social media over the last few days, and the actor has responded.
In the clip, Blunt was recounting an experience at a Chili's restaurant. While describing an interaction, the actor referred to the server as "enormous."
As Blunt was telling her story, the host of the show said:
“If you go to Chili’s, you can see why so many of our American friends are enormous."
To which the actor responded:
“Well, the girl who was serving me was enormous."
“I think she got freebie meals at Chili’s.”
You can watch the moment, below.
pic.twitter.com/Nt4CRlsIdl
— v (@ViralThingz) October 20, 2023
The resurfaced clip spread like wildfire online and was met with extreme disappointment.
Amid the backlash, Blunt apologized, telling People:
“I just need to address this head-on, as my jaw was on the floor watching this clip from 12 years ago."
“I’m appalled that I would say something so insensitive, hurtful, and unrelated to whatever story I was trying to tell on a talk show.”
She continued:
“I’ve always considered myself someone who wouldn’t dream of upsetting anyone, so whatever possessed me to say anything like this in that moment is unrecognizable to me or anything I stand for.”
“And yet it happened, and I said it, and I’m so sorry for any hurt caused."
"I was absolutely old enough to know better.”
Reactions from people on social media were all over the board.
Many wondered why she would make such a hurtful comment in the first place.
Why would she described her like that? That was so unnecessary
— Bambi🌸 (@Japanesebambi) October 20, 2023
Was the body shaming necessary to this story ??
— Emi Eleode (@EmiEleode) October 20, 2023
Her weight had NOTHING to do with the story except to try to put a joke in there but clearly backfired
— 3starlogo (@3StarLogo) October 20, 2023
Others commended Blunt for acknowledging her words and issuing an apology.
Now THIS is a real apology! Accountability was taken, remorse was expressed, and zero excuses were made. Props to Emily Blunt, she could’ve easily waited for this to blow over but instead offered a genuine apology for her hurtful words from over a decade ago! 👏👏👏 https://t.co/wMQZWm4nEv
— Kiwi ✨(Taylor’s Version)✨ (@kiwilovekiwi16) October 20, 2023
She said, she owned it, no excuses, just apologies. Move on... https://t.co/6vLI8xrarn
— Marcus Mee (@marcusmee) October 21, 2023
She owned it and apologized for something that happened 11 years ago. Emily Blunt the woman that you are https://t.co/9zuLUrSt7m
— Daniela (@Fullmetalbiatch) October 20, 2023
While that was definitely a horrible comment, we are glad she owned up to it.
