Fans Hit Back At Wendy Williams After She Mocks Joaquin Phoenix For His Cleft Lip Scar

Fans of actor Joaquin Phoenix were left fuming after disgraced television host Wendy Williams mocked his cleft lip scar in front of a live audience while filming for her talk show. Reddit user u/girolski07 shared a screenshot of the shocking moment in the r/trashy subreddit.

The US television presenter was discussing the actor's looks when she began talking about the scar on his upper lip. "When he shaves off his moustache, he's got a hairline fracture," Williams said.

"He's got one of those... what do you call it? Cleft lip, cleft palate," she said. She then pulled up her top lip, seemingly to mock the star, and said, "I find it to be very attractive."

Williams has since apologized after receiving intense criticism worldwide. She posted a tweet saying she wanted to "apologize to the cleft community."

But the empty apology didn't sit well with the Cleft Lip and Palate Association. "An apology on Twitter really isn't enough," they said.

"She did this on her show with millions upon millions of people watching, and I think she needs to apologize on her show as well," said a spokesperson.

Approximately one in 700 babies are born with a cleft palate or lip. The condition occurs when parts of a baby's face don't join together properly in the womb.

Multiple surgeries are often required, and a noticeable scar can be left behind. This can be incredibly traumatic for both the child and parents.

In an effort to redeem herself, Williams said her show was making donations to US charities Operation Smile and the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. However, whether or not Joaquin's fans will forgive her remains to be seen.