Rickey Smiley is weighing in on the growing backlash surrounding Oprah Winfrey’s recent comments about the late Whitney Houston, arguing that both Oprah and Gayle King have become disconnected from the sentiments of many Black Americans.

The comedian and radio personality addressed the controversy during a livestream after Winfrey recalled an alleged incident involving Houston during a 2009 appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Winfrey recently claimed the singer was under the influence during the taping and said she asked audience members not to share what happened publicly.

Smiley questioned why the story was being shared years after Houston’s death. He suggested the comments served no constructive purpose and instead reopened painful conversations about the Grammy-winning singer’s struggles with addiction.

Smiley Questions Timing of Oprah’s Story

According to Smiley, the issue is not whether the alleged incident occurred. Instead, he said the timing of Winfrey’s remarks has frustrated many people within the Black community.

During his livestream, Smiley argued that discussing Houston’s personal struggles years after her death does little to honor the singer’s legacy. He also expanded his criticism beyond Winfrey, saying she and longtime friend Gayle King have lost touch with the concerns of many Black viewers.

Smiley said he believes both media personalities are “out of touch with the Black community,” echoing criticism that has circulated widely across social media since Winfrey’s comments resurfaced.

His remarks came as thousands of users questioned why Winfrey chose to publicly revisit Houston’s addiction history more than a decade after the singer’s death.

Many online commenters argued Houston’s musical legacy should remain the focus instead of revisiting deeply personal chapters from her life.

Others defended Winfrey, saying she was recounting a significant moment from her career and highlighting the steps she allegedly took to protect Houston from additional public embarrassment.

Whitney Houston Estate Pushes Back

The criticism follows comments Winfrey made while reflecting on memorable moments from her long-running daytime talk show.

Winfrey alleged Houston became so impaired during a performance that she stumbled off the stage. She said she immediately worked behind the scenes to prevent the footage from becoming public because she feared it would further damage Houston’s reputation.

However, representatives for Whitney Houston’s estate have publicly disputed that account.

The estate has denied claims that Houston relapsed during the appearance and rejected the characterization of the events described by Winfrey.

The disagreement has fueled broader debate online about how public figures discuss deceased celebrities, particularly those whose personal battles were widely documented during their lifetimes.

Houston, who died in 2012 at age 48, remains one of the best-selling recording artists in music history. Her influence continues to resonate through generations of singers and fans worldwide.

Smiley’s comments have added another prominent voice to the conversation surrounding Winfrey’s recollection. While opinions remain divided, the discussion has raised broader questions about celebrity storytelling, legacy and whether revisiting painful moments serves the public interest years later.

Neither Winfrey nor King has publicly responded to Smiley’s criticism.