Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Sharon Osbourne says she wants £800k Black Lives Matter donation refunded after Kanye West calls it a ‘scam’

Rapper recently wore ‘White Lives Matter’ shirt at Yeezy fashion show

Inga Parkel
Friday 07 October 2022 19:55 BST
Sharon Osbourne tearfully defends Piers Morgan

Sharon Osbourne is in agreement with Kanye West’s highly controversial opinion that Black Lives Matter is a “scam”.

After receiving strong criticism for donning a “White Lives Matter” shirt during his recent Yeezy fashion show, the “Flashing Lights” rapper defended his actions in an Instagram story, writing: “Everyone knows that Black Lives Matter was a scam. Now it’s over. You’re welcome.”

While several fellow celebrities, including Jaden Smith, Jodie Turner-Smith and Linda Evangelista, have condemned his beliefs, Osbourne appeared to stand in support of West’s claims.

“I don’t understand why white lives don’t matter?” Osbourne told a TMZ paparazzo in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. “Listen, it’s not my thing. It’s not my culture. I don’t understand it. Everybody matters, don’t they?”

However, when further asked to clarify if she “agrees” with West’s point, the British-American TV personality responded: “I don’t know what his point is.”

The interviewer went on to explain that the 45-year-old Grammy-winning artist had labelled BLM a “scam”.

To it, Osbourne laughed: “Oh, well, we gave $900,000 (£800,700), and I’d like my money back. Wish he could’ve said that before.”

Sharon Osbourne and Kanye West (Getty Images)

The Independent has contacted Black Lives Matter for comment.

Asked if she believes West should be “cancelled”, Osbourne replied: “You can’t stop people from living their lives, doing what they do. Don’t go to his social media. Don’t listen to his music. Leave the guy alone, let him do what he does and if you don’t like him do that.

“Leave him alone.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in