Anthony Anderson is voicing regret over a resurfaced Lindsay Lohan interview that’s drawing backlash on social media.
In a clip from a 2003 episode of “The Sharon Osbourne Show” that has spread on X in recent days, the “Black-ish” star spoke with a then 17-year-old Lohan, who told the comedian that she recently bought a place with her friend Raven-Symoné.
Anderson remarked that “both of you are beautiful women” and asked, “What gentlemen will be at the new pad with you and Raven-Symoné? … I’m just talking about parties, get togethers.” Lohan said she did not have a boyfriend, leading Anderson to exclaim, “She’s single, but looking!” The “Freaky Friday” star then shot back, “But I’m illegal, for people that are old.”
“Well, you know, some men like them young. We ain’t gonna mention no names, but I’m one of them,” Anderson replied, before letting out a hearty laugh.
As the clip made the rounds online, a representative for Anderson, 54, addressed the remarks in a statement provided to Entertainment Weekly and People.
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“This interview was clearly intended as comedy,” the actor’s spokesperson told the outlets. “He regrets if the humor was in poor taste and maintains the utmost respect for Lindsay. Any implication to the contrary is both inaccurate and potentially defamatory.”
USA TODAY has reached out to Anderson’s reps for comment.
The clip of the old interview sparked outrage on social media, with one X user replying, “I cannot believe this isn’t AI. There’s nooooo way he thought that ‘joke’ out and said this on TV.” But some came to the comic’s defense. “Calm down. It was cringe joke,” another X user replied.
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The interview resurfaced as Lohan returns to the spotlight to reunite with Jamie Lee Curtis in the highly anticipated sequel “Freakier Friday,” which opens on Aug. 8. In the 2003 interview with Anderson, the actress was promoting the home video release of the original “Freaky Friday.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lindsay Lohan comments from Anthony Anderson resurfaced
