Oprah Winfrey: Presenter asks teenage Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen what size they are in resurfaced interview
Mary-Kate entered rehab for eating disorder treatment later in 2004
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Oprah Winfrey has been criticised after a 2004 interview resurfaced in which she asked a teenage Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen what clothing size they are.
At the time of the interview, rumours had been circulating suggesting that Mary-Kate was suffering from an eating disorder. Later in the year, the former Full House star checked into rehab to undergo treatment for the condition.
Appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Winfrey raised the reports to the twins. “I know a new rumour [that’s] recently surfaced has really upset you, right?” she asked the siblings. “You know, the one about eating.”
Ashley answered: “Yeah, you know people are gonna write what they’re gonna write. We try not to read the good or the bad because it just comes with the territory. Either you’re too fat, too skinny and people are just gonna write what they–”
However, she was interrupted by Winfrey, who asked: “What size are you, by the way?” leaving both Mary-Kate and Ashley looking uncomfortable.
Read more: Elizabeth Olsen says growing up as a child star was ‘very scary’
“Size?” Ashley said, with the twins insisting that they were both short and “petite”.
“Oh, that’s so interesting,” Winfrey sarcastically responded, eliciting roars of laughter from the studio audience. “That is so interesting, I’m obsessed with size and you’re like, ‘I really don’t know.’”
“If we were obsessed with our size it’d be, I don’t know, a different story,” Mary-Kate replied.
The Independent has contacted Winfrey’s representatives for comment.
The clip was shared on TikTok, where commenters called out the “problematic” interview.
“Yikes @ Oprah for that one,” one comment read.
“Ashley answering for MK because she knew she was uncomfortable,” another pointed out.
“I know we’re living in different times, but how did they think that was okay!?!” one TikTok user commented. “[Because] they’re young?”
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the issues mentioned in this article, you can contact Beat on 0808 801 0677, the studentline on 0808 801 0811 and the youthline on 0808 801 0711. You can also contact the charity via its one-to-one web chat here.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments