Gayle King’s Interview with WNBA Star Lisa Leslie didn’t get the response King hoped it would.
Gayle King’s interviews are known for giving viewers an in-depth look at some of the world’s most famous people. Last year King’s interview with R-kelly was trending for almost an entire week.
King’s latest interview isn’t gaining her the same positive responses as her Kelly interview did, though. On Tuesday, CBS posted a video excerpt of King’s interview with Lisa Leslie during which they discussed the Late Kobe Bryant’s legacy.
In the clip, Gayle asked Leslie if Kobe Bryant’s legacy was complicated due to his dismissed rape charges from 2003/2004.
To Which Leslie responded no, going on to tell King that the Kobe she knew wasn’t the type that would “Do something to violate a woman or be aggressive in that way.”
King points out that as his friend, Leslie wouldn’t have seen that side of him. She further questions the WNBA hall off Famer on whether people should even bring up the case now that Kobe has passed. Leslie stands firm in defense of her friend and says that ” the media should be more respectful at this time.” Lisa even points to the facts that 1) these issues could have been addressed when Kobe was alive 2) He went to trial and wasn’t convicted.
After the clip was posted, many celebrities came to Kobe’s defense, including Michael Blackson and Boosie. Social media users also had a lot to say about the context of the interview as well, bashing Gayle for her line of questioning.
Other people argued that Lisa Leslie was perpetuating rape culture by defending Bryant. Arguing that although Kobe was never convicted, he still somehow is guilty of Rape.
Thursday morning, Gayle posted in response to all the negative backlash stating, “I am mortified. I am embarrassed, and I am very angry.” She said that the network posted the most exciting part of the interview without any context and added she would be angry with herself if she only saw that clip.
A rep for CBS made a statement via TMZ that supported King, hinting that they were looking at the internal decision making that led to the post.
No matter what you believe about Kobe Bryant’s innocence in regards to his rape charges. The fact remains that now is not the time to be discussing this particular issue. Multiple people suffered significant losses in that helicopter crash that will take years to deal with. No matter if Kobe is a celebrity or not, his family deserves the right to grieve without hearing about his faults.
Furthermore, American people need to determine if we truly believe in the Judicial System. Kobe Had his day in court; he wasn’t convicted end of the story.
What do you guys think of Gayle King’s Interview with Lisa Leslie? Was her questioning out of line?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
