Wendy Williams' comment on Joaquin Phoenix's 'cleft lip' sparks outrage

American television host Wendy Williams was criticised for mocking Joker actor Joaquin Phoenix's 'cleft lip'. According to reports, Wendy started speaking about the Ladder 49 actor during one of the segments on her TV programme The Wendy Williams Show. She was initially talking about Phoenix's eyes before commenting on the scar present above his left lip, which she said was more prominent when he is without a beard.

According to reports, Wendy Williams went on to say that it looked like Phoenix had a hairline fracture before asking what a cleft palate meant and appeared to have mockingly recreated Phoenix's 'cleft lip'. Addressing the audience on her show, Williams continued to keep her finger hooked under the lip and said that she found Joaquin Phoenix's unique feature quite attractive.

Williams' comments anger people 

Joaquin Phoenix was born with a cleft lip and has never gone under the knife to remove the scar. According to reports, the actor has the mildest form of a cleft palate i.e. micro cleft. Wendy Williams' comments did not down well the one of the ambassador's of Cleft Lip and Palate Association. The comments also prompted a parent to comment on the television presenter's actions.

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The backlash prompted Wendy Williams to apologise to Blue Bomber's linebacker Adam Bighill in relation to the comments made on The Wendy Williams Show that appeared to mock people with a cleft lip.