Oops! Debra Messing Clarifies Kim Kardashian SNL Tweet

Debra Messing is known for her outspoken presence on social media, but this time the opinionated Will & Grace star says her comments about Kim Kardashian hosting SNL have been totally misunderstood.
When SKIMS entrepreneur and soon-to-be triple-divorcee Kim Kardashian West was announced as the host of the October 9 episode of Saturday Night Live, Messing quickly reacted, tweeting, “Why Kim Kardashian?”

Messing continued with, “I mean, I know she is a cultural icon, but SNL has hosts, generally, who are performers who are there to promote a film, TV show, or album launch. Am I missing something?”
Many people interpreted the comment as a dig at Kim K, who rose to fame on the strength of her sex tape with then-boyfriend Ray J and has since built an empire based on social media endorsements and various clothing and beauty lines. Of course, the shapely mogul gained much of her fame thanks to her family’s long-running TV show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

On the heels of widespread backlash, Messing used her virtual appearance on the Tamron Hall Show to address the KKW controversary.
“I was not intending to troll her, and you know if anybody took it that way, I apologize. That was never my intention,” continued Messing. “She is this phenomenon. I mean, you know, she’s a cultural icon.”

The Emmy-winning funnywoman further elaborated saying, “I am someone who grew up with SNL. I love comedy, and they have had, for decades, this sort of formula. And I noticed that they changed the formula, and I was like, ‘Oh, does she have a new TV show coming out? Does she have a book coming out? Is she in a movie?’”
While Kardashian West doesn’t seem to have a current project to promote — her name-making E! series wrapped production permanently earlier this year — that’s not necessarily a prerequisite for hosting SNL. The late-night comedy show has previously signed up a slew of hosts chosen for their cultural relevancy or simply because they might equal good ratings.

Still, Messing, who was initially booked on Hall’s talk show to talk about philanthropist Shelly Tygielski’s mutual-aid community Pandemic of Love, insists that her viral tweet was misinterpreted, and she has nothing but love for Kardashian West. “I watched her, and I thought she was amazing. And I was rooting for her. If you know me and you follow me, then you know that I consistently lift up women. I support women. So, you know, I hope that people understand that that was never my intention.” As for Kardashian West, the mega-influencer’s episode co-starring musical guest Halsey was the third most-watched episode of the SNL season behind Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock.
