The new documentary Armando Britney Spears, which shows how the media slandered the pop star, opened up a broader debate about how the entertainment industry treats young talent. Part of that calculation shows people digging up old interviews and examining them in a new light. David Letterman and Diane Sawyer both faced a reaction for moments of TV that did not age well, and now another name has been added to the list: Oprah Winfrey. In a resurgent interview in 2004, the host is seen asking Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen some very sensitive issues that fans believe have crossed the line. Keep reading to find out why this interview provoked outrage and, for more unhappy interview moments, This resurgent interview with Jennifer Aniston left fans horrified.
Like many hosts at the time, Oprah asked personal questions about the 17-year-old twins’ private lives, addressing a particularly sensitive issue: a rumor that Mary-Kate had an eating disorder. “I know a new rumor [that’s] recently emerged really upset you, right? “Oprah asked. The girls sat in silence, waiting to see what Oprah was referring to.” You know, the one about eating, “she clarified.
“Yes, you know people are going to write what they are going to write. We try not to read what is good or bad because it comes with the territory,” replied Ashley. “Or you’re too fat, too thin, and people are just going to write what they write.” This answer did not dissuade Oprah, and she continued with a more direct question. And for another uncomfortable moment in the host’s past, Oprah says this was the worst guest she has ever had.
Oprah interrupted Ashley as she answered the initial question about the eating disorder rumor. “How big are you, by the way?” asked the host. Ashley’s eyes looked wide with the question. She started to say that they are short, so Mary-Kate stepped in and explained that they were always small, with both reaching below 5’2 “.
“Oh, this is so interesting,” replied Oprah. The audience burst out laughing. “This is so interesting, I’m obsessed with size and you’re like, ‘I really don’t know’.” Mary-Kate added, “If we were obsessed with our size, it would be, I don’t know, a different story.” Ashley then explained that her clothes usually need adjustments due to height and weight.
Better life contacted an Oprah representative to comment on the 2004 interview, but has yet to respond. And for more celebrity content delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
A few months after her interview with Oprah, Mary-Kate sought treatment for an eating disorder, according to CBS. The star was admitted to a rehab clinic shortly after her 18th birthday, on June 13, 2004. CNN reports that she was discharged on July 26. After her release, Mary-Kate began preparing for her first year of college at New York University. And for another resurgent interview now being viewed with more critical lenses, this interview by Diane Sawyer with Britney Spears Has People Outraged.
When an interviewer from Elle Asked Mary-Kate about her experience with an eating disorder, the star emphasized the importance of asking for help when needed. “I think the hardest part to get to is the point of asking for help or reaching out to other people and being honest with yourself,” she said, added by The Cut. “I don’t want to spend my life with my eyes closed. And I don’t want to go through this with my mind closed. I want to be aware of things. And I’d rather know than not.”
Mary-Kate also said that people’s life experiences are part of growth. “Everyone is going to go through difficult times,” she continued. “It is a part of life.” And for more news about the Olsen family, Elizabeth Olsen almost did this to distance herself from her sisters.