Rosie O’Donnell responds to daughter’s claims about ‘not normal’ childhood
‘You’re allowed to express your feelings in our family,’ comedian says
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.Rosie O’Donnell has clarified her comments about her daughter Vivienne’s childhood after the 19-year-old said her childhood was “not normal”.
Vivienne has been sharing anecdotes from her upbringing with her TikTok followers, including the time she discovered Madonna and Oprah Winfrey were family friends.
In a video earlier this week, the teenager said she had received dozens of comments about how O’Donnell had ensured her life was “normal” growing up.
“No offence, Mom,” Vivienne said. “That never happened. She just didn’t really inform us [about] really anything.”
“She has done so much for me, and I’m so incredibly, incredibly thankful for her, but one thing she’s not done is normal.”
In another video she recalled not being allowed to watch TV or listen to the radio much as a child, and how she was sheltered from the idea of celebrities.
“At my birthday parties, this beautiful woman would always come, and I was like, ‘Yeah, there’s Mo’,” she explained.
“I just never had any idea who the f*** she was. One night I was watching TV with Ro [O’Donnell], we were probably watching an award show.
“Anyways it’s Mo getting a f***ing award. Then I finally realised it was Madonna all these years.”
She added that it was “the same thing with Oprah [Winfrey].”
O’Donnell had initially joked that she didn’t understand her daughter’s comments.
“Vivi, what do you mean I didn’t do anything normal? I did normal things. I’m normal. I’m totally normal,” O’Donnell said in a video. She also joked about spilling Vivienne’s “secrets”.
In a new video O’Donnell has now clarified her comments, telling her TikTok followers that she agrees with Vivienne’s claims.
“I knew what she was talking about. It’s not normal to have three lesbian mothers and have one of them be famous and get in a fight with the president for five years or more,” O’Donnell said, referring to her public feud with Donald Trump.
She added: “She’s right to say that it wasn’t a normal upbringing like all of her friends and it’s okay, you’re allowed to express your feelings in our family, even if you do it online in a funny manner.
“I replied, I thought in a funny manner, saying I was going to tell all her secrets. But I don’t have any secrets! She’s a great kid, always has been.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments