Bill host suggested Jada ‘put on a f**king wig like everybody else at the Oscars’ if her hair loss ‘bothers’ her so much.
Bill Maher gave his two cents on Sunday’s Will Smith/Chris Rock Oscar drama, when Chris joked about Will’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head onstage, prompting Will to jump up and slap the stunned comedian. During the April 1st episode of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, Bill downplayed Jada’s struggle with her hair loss caused by alopecia, suggesting she should have “worn a wig” if the condition was such a concern for the actress.
Bill Maher Mocks Sensitivity Over Jada Pinkett Smith’s Alopecia: “Just Put On A F**king Wig If It Bothers You So Much’ https://t.co/yMqruMtfKq via @mediaite pic.twitter.com/LCoFsnV5NN
— Tommy moderna-vaX-Topher (@tommyxtopher) April 2, 2022
“I mean, if you are so lucky in life as to have that be your medical problem, just say ‘thank God,’” Bill exclaimed of Jada’s alopecia. “It’s not life-threatening. You know, it’s part of, for most people — 80 percent of men, 50 percent of women — it’s part of aging. Trust me, I know — it’s the degradation of the flesh. It happens to all of us.” He continued, “And, you know, just put on a f**king wig like everybody else at the Oscars if it bothers you so much. I mean, we all — as we age, we look worse. And you do things to deal with it as best you can.”
One of his panelists, attorney Laura Coates, chimed in to defend Jada by giving a woman’s perspective about the autoimmune condition. “I think there’s probably a part of her that has been very, very empowered by being vocal about her alopecia and saying, ‘Look, I’m owning it, I’m shaving my head. I feel like I am going to take this by the horns,’ Laura said. “And there’s probably those quiet moments with her husband when he is seeing and hearing a more personal aspect of it.”
Bill Maher said Jada should “just put a wig on”? Has he always been so insensitive? Does he understand what hair means to women-both black and all women? Not every women has the exquisite features that Jada has,
— Liz Marks (@quiltsbyliz) April 2, 2022
Bill Maher talking shit about Jada Pickett Smith and her alopecia is pathetic.
— Brett Katinas (@BloodyFlowers) April 2, 2022
Bill quickly responded, saying “It’s a condition like life is a condition. S**t happens as you go down the path of life, and physically, it’s not all going to be roses. It just isn’t. And again, like on the scale of what I need to worry about or feel sorry about, I can’t get there.”
Well, let’s just say it didn’t go over well with fans, as they took to social media to share their umbrage with Bill’s “insensitive” comments. One Twitter user wrote, “Who does this pr*ck think he is. There is nothing lucky about any medical or other conditions that affect people,” as another shared, “Bill Maher said Jada should “just put a wig on”? Has he always been so insensitive? Does he understand what hair means to women-both black and all women? Not every women has the exquisite features that Jada has.” A third follower kept it short and sweet, posting, “Bill Maher talking s**t about Jada Pickett Smith and her alopecia is pathetic.”
YES! SOMEONE finally said it! I have hair thinning so don’t come at me but I was like, ALOPECIA?People acting like she has cancer (which I’ve had as well). Sick of these PROFESSIONAL “VICTIMS”! not to mention, I don’t even believe she HAS alopecia! https://t.co/cKIxQ8JZvH
— Lucille (@american010101) April 2, 2022
Some took Bill’s side, however, as a recent tweet read, “YES! SOMEONE finally said it! I have hair thinning so don’t come at me but I was like, ALOPECIA? People acting like she has cancer (which I’ve had as well). Sick of these PROFESSIONAL “VICTIMS”!”
Keep reading for more reactions, below.
Who does this pr*ck think he is. There is nothing lucky about any medical or other conditions that affect people. Supercillious idiot
Bill Maher says Jada Pinkett Smith is ‘lucky’ she only has alopecia https://t.co/PzZrCtBDex via @MailOnline
— Christine Forest-Potter (@Christi72725551) April 2, 2022
I’m putting @chrisrock in the same category as @billmaher. They go for the low-hanging balls jokes. Old tired sexist and out of touch. Before the senseless Jada joke was how Javier couldn’t win because he’d piss off Penelope. Really?The best you can do? Lame!
— caroline vella (@iamcarolinev) March 30, 2022
Why’s Bill Maher going after Jada? She didn’t slap anyone, and people are allowed to have hurt feelings. I actually recommend staying away from folks who make a habit of telling others how to cope with their emotional shit.
Such a common audacity, that one.
— Blue (@bluebombah) April 2, 2022
See, this is why I don’t like Bill Maher. He arrogantly gives his opinion about things he doesn’t understand and doesn’t understand that he doesn’t understand. https://t.co/G27k2HUu9P
— Jill Collen Jefferson (@JillCollen) April 2, 2022
I’m not part of the 56%. Jada could’ve used the opportunity for good. Instead, she made herself, & her husband, look like idiots who should be shunned out of the arts altogether. Alopecia my ass. There are women with no hair because they’re dying. Jada’s only dying of stupidity.
— Arizona Ursula ? (@ustaar) April 2, 2022
Bill Maher’s only point here is that you can overcome insecurity through artificial means. He’s just advising Jada Pinkett Smith to use a wig the way he uses an applause sign. https://t.co/moy7IumnAN
— Frank Conniff (@FrankConniff) April 2, 2022
