Lady Gaga pens open letter to Kelly Osbourne
Lady Gaga has called on Kelly Osbourne to "set a standard of respect, compassion, and love" after the reality TV star revealed she had been cyber bullied by the Poker Face hitmaker's fans for harsh comments she made about the singer's weight.
Ozzy Osbourne's daughter hit the headlines last year (12) when she told a U.K. talk show host she thought Gaga was pregnant when the pop star appeared onstage sporting a new curvy figure.
Fans didn't take kindly to the slimmed-down TV star's remarks and
they took aim at Kelly for sparking gossip that forced their
heroine to explain she had just put on a few pounds.
Gaga has now addressed Osbourne's bullying drama at the hands of
her fans and encouraged the star to be more compassionate when she
appears on her catty style series Fashion Police.
In an open letter to Osbourne posted on her LittleMonsters.com blog
on Thursday (10Jan13), the singer wrote, "Everyday, through my
music and public voice I choose to be positive and work towards a
kinder and braver world with our community of followers. I
encourage them to ignore criticism, stand up to bullies, know their
own value and see that we are all the same and no one person is
worth more than another.
"I have empathy for you Kelly, but I feel it culturally important
to note that you have chosen a less compassionate path. Your work
on E! with the Fashion Police is rooted in criticism, judgment, and
rating people's beauty against one another. 'Appearance' is the
most used reason for bullying in the world.
"Your show breeds negativity, and over the years has even become
comedic in nature. It glorifies you and (co-host) Joan Rivers
pointing in the camera, laughing, and making jokes about artists
and celebrities as if we are zoo animals."
Referencing Osbourne's former fuller figure, Gaga adds, "What about
your body revolution? It used to make me truly sad when I would
hear people talk about your weight when you were younger, as I was
bullied too. To see you blossoming into a beautiful slender woman
who makes fun of others for a living is astounding.
"Why not help others? Why not defend others who are bullied for
their image and share your story? I am pointing this out not to
take a crack at your character, as we've met before and you're
lovely. However, I urge you to take responsibility and
accountability for the example that you are setting for young
people.
"I cannot control my fans, and I discourage them from any
negativity and violence, because that is wrong and hurtful - and I
do feel badly that your feelings were hurt. However, we can all do
our part in the media to set a standard of respect, compassion, and
love. I wish for you to be treated with the kindness and respect
that everyone deserves."