Whoopi Goldberg Faces Backlash Over Staten Island Bakery Controversy: What Happened?
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Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of The View and celebrated actress, found herself at the center of a heated controversy after accusing a Staten Island bakery of refusing her order for political reasons. The incident, which unfolded during The View’s November 13 episode—coinciding with Goldberg’s 69th birthday—has sparked public outcry, with Staten Island officials demanding an apology.
Goldberg’s Remarks on The View
Whoopi Goldberg shared her birthday dessert woes with viewers, claiming she had tried to order 50 Charlotte Russe cakes from a New York City bakery but was turned down. “They said that their ovens had gone down, all kinds of stuff,” Goldberg said, adding that she suspected her political stance might have influenced the refusal.
Although Whoopi Goldberg refrained from naming the bakery, eagle-eyed viewers identified it as Holtermann’s Bakery, thanks to polka-dotted packaging shown on the episode. The bakery is a family-run establishment with a 145-year history.
Whoppi Smollett backtracking because she knows she's getting sued. @TheView pic.twitter.com/yPFDff5V1S
— RED SHE SAID🇺🇸 (@RedSheSaidOG) November 17, 2024
Jill Holtermann Denies Goldberg’s Claims
Jill Holtermann, the bakery’s owner, quickly responded to Goldberg’s accusations, denying any political bias. In an Entertainment Weekly interview on November 16, Holtermann clarified that the refusal stemmed from equipment issues, not politics.
Holtermann explained that Goldberg’s order, initially placed two weeks prior, requested desserts for November 6 and November 13 events. However, due to boiler problems, the bakery couldn’t guarantee fulfilling the order in advance. Surprisingly, an unidentified individual did pick up 50 Charlotte Russe cakes from the bakery on the morning of Goldberg’s birthday, as Holtermann confirmed.
Whoopi Goldberg Stands by Her Story
Amid escalating attention, Goldberg addressed the issue on Instagram on November 14. She reiterated her account, stating, “It does seem a little odd that when we called… we were told they couldn’t process the order… but somehow, they were able to accept an order of a different 48 of the same dessert when somebody else called without using my name.” Goldberg added that despite the hiccup, she enjoyed her birthday and moved on.
Staten Island Officials Demand an Apology
The controversy took a political turn when Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella held a news conference on November 17 outside Holtermann’s Bakery. Fossella expressed support for the bakery, urging Whoopi Goldberg to apologize and put the matter to rest.
Jill Holtermann, present at the event, thanked the community for their overwhelming support, noting that their phones had been “ringing off the hook” with messages of encouragement. She chose not to address Goldberg directly but expressed gratitude for the loyalty of Staten Island residents.
As of now, Goldberg has not responded to Fossella’s call for an apology. Whether the controversy fades or escalates further depends on Goldberg’s next move. Meanwhile, Holtermann’s Bakery has emerged with newfound public support, solidifying its place as a beloved Staten Island institution.
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
