Halle Berry has responded to comments from the Morning Bull show co-host and 97 Rock DJ Rob Lederman, who earlier this week compared his toast preferences to the skin tones of Black women.
During an episode of Rich Gaenzler’s radio show, Lederman referenced Berry, Gayle King and Serena Williams. “I may get into trouble for this,” he said on the program. “I will never go to Serena Williams level. But I’m very comfortable with, I’m very comfortable … a Halle Berry level. I need a little bit of mulatto still coming through.” He later said, “Gayle King is not even on my toaster level.”
“Disgusting,” wrote Berry on Twitter on Saturday, reposting a 45-second audio clip of the radio show interview. “It’s ridiculous this type of nonsense is still being broadcasted across airwaves. ALL Black women are beautiful and worthy, Rob Lederman. GTFOH.”
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Following Lederman’s on-air comments, Buffalo, New York-based Pegula Sports and Entertainment issued a statement in which it condemned racism and shared its decision to terminate Gaenzler from his role as its in-arena host.
“All organizations across the Pegula Sports & Entertainment umbrella strongly condemn racism in all forms,” the statement read on Twitter. “We are deeply disturbed by the comments made this morning by a co-host on Rich Gaenzler’s radio show. They were unacceptable, inappropriate, and there is no place for them in our community. The Sabres and Bandits therefore have made the decision to terminate him from his duties as our in-arena host.”
A number of local outlets reported that Lederman was, in addition, suspended from his position by Cumulus Media, which owns 97 Rock. Advertisers, including the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, also pulled their ads and marketing from the station.
Didn’t hear this live but internet keeps receipts. @97RockBuffalo morning hosts compared how they like their toast to black women’s skin tone. So just in case y’all missed it too, take a listen pic.twitter.com/6nVolu5a23
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) March 24, 2021
— Pegula Sports & Entertainment (@PegulaSE) March 24, 2021
