Whoopi Goldberg bakery controversy explained as Staten Island officials demand apology from The View host amid her accusation
Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of The View, faced public criticism after accusing a Staten Island bakery of refusing her order allegedly due to her political views. During the November 13 episode of the talk show, Goldberg, who celebrated her 69th birthday that day, shared her experience attempting to order 50 Charlotte Russe cakes for her celebration.
The 69-year-old said on air:
"Now, I should tell you, charlotte russe has no political leanings, and the place that made these refused to make them for me."
However, Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella demanded an apology from Goldberg during a news conference two days later, held in support of the Bakery.
Jill Holtermann's statement after Goldberg's remarks
On The View's episode from last Wednesday, Goldberg elaborated on the bakery's refusal to take the order for her birthday celebration, adding:
"They said that their ovens had gone down, all kinds of stuff, but folks went and got them anyway, which is why I’m not telling you who made them... perhaps they did not like my politics."
While Whoopi didn't mention the bakery's name on air, the polka-dotted packaging boxes visible at the studio revealed to local viewers that the co-host was, in fact, talking about the Holtermann Bakery in Staten Island.
Jill Holtermann, the owner of the 145-year-old bakery, denied Goldberg's speculation, as reported in Entertainment Weekly on November 16. Per the outlet, Holtermann confirmed that Whoopi had placed an order for the desserts two weeks ago, which the bakery had denied because they "didn't want to make a commitment that I [Jill] can’t carry through."
According to Holtermann, The View co-host had requested treats on two dates - for an appearance on a talk show on November 6 and The View broadcast on November 13, adding:
"They’d asked us and we were having trouble with our boilers."
However, as Whoopi Goldberg pointed out, Jill also confirmed that 50 Charlotte Russe cakes were picked from the bakery by an unidentified woman on the morning of November 13, which they were able to make. The business owner stated that the reason behind her refusal was the uncertainty with their equipment, which is why she didn't want to commit ahead of time.
Whoopi Goldberg took to Instagram to stand by her statement
As Whoopi Goldberg's bakery controversy was highlighted online, the host took to her Instagram handle to address the situation on Thursday, November 14, saying:
"I never mentioned the name of the bakery, or the location. It does seem a little odd that when we called a few weeks before my birthday, we were told they couldn’t process the order for my birthday because of an equipment failure."
The 69-year-old continued:
"Somehow, they were able to accept an order of a different 48 of the same dessert when somebody else called without using my name."
Whoopi Goldberg concluded her video by saying it was all okay since she ended up enjoying the dessert and had "a happy, sweet birthday".
As a response to Goldberg's Instagram post, a news conference was held in Staten Island on Friday, right outside the Holtermann's Bakery.
Vito Fossella, the Staten Island borough president, opened the conference by saying that they were there to support the bakery and the family of its owner and to show them that Staten Island stood with them.
Before handing over the mic to Jill, who was also standing in the crown, Fossella said:
"And the way we can make this better, and the woman I’m talking to, I won’t mention her name, just say you’re sorry so we can put this behind us."
When Jill Holtermann took the mic, instead of addressing Whoopi Goldberg or the controversy, she thanked everyone for the "overwhelming" support the bakery had received in the wake of it, claiming that their phone "had been ringing off the hook. Holtermann further added that it was the love and loyalty of the Staten Island folks that kept them going.
Following Friday's news conference, Whoopi Goldberg has yet to respond to Fossella's statement. Whetherthe host issues an apology to the bakery remains to be seen.