Whoopi Goldberg humorously interrupted a spirited debate on The View’s ‘Hot Topics’ segment to take a selfie with a 91-year-old audience member, indicating her stance on the matter being discussed.
The panelists were engaged in a contentious discussion regarding Miranda Lambert’s recent rebuke of concertgoers for photographing during her Las Vegas show. When co-host Sunny Hostin argued that she’s entitled to take as many selfies as she likes if she’s spent $757 on tickets, Goldberg had a strong response.
The Academy Award-winning actress of ‘Ghost’ countered by saying, “You know what? Stay home. If you’re going to spend $750 to come to my concert, give me the respect of watching me while I do my thing, or don’t come.”
Following Hostin’s comment about cherishing concert memories through phone recordings, Goldberg quipped, “Turn on the television, girl,” before leaving her moderator seat.
The 67-year-old then made her way toward the audience, announcing, “I’m leaving y’all!” and headed for the first row of studio audience seats.
In front of the nonagenarian audience member, Goldberg expressed, “I want to take a picture with this marvelous woman, who is 91. So, we’re going to do a selfie. Just me and you,” and instructed her to press the button, announcing a commercial break shortly after.
The View’s selfie moment may have been a light-hearted gesture, but the incident involving Lambert has left fans divided. Some have criticized the country music star for her perceived rudeness towards fans, while others feel the fans taking pictures were disrespectful to others trying to enjoy the performance.
Adela Calin, one of the fans Lambert rebuked, expressed her shock at the artist’s actions to NBC News. A representative for Lambert responded to inquiries for comment from EW with, “nothing to share in response” to Calin’s interview.