Gossip & Rumors
Tommy to O: Racist E-Mail a "Big Fat Lie"

Tommy Hilfiger has never been kicked off Oprah's show ... because he's never even been on Oprah. But today, the preppy designer appeared for the first time with O to refute an ugly urban legend that's been circulating for over a decade.

An e-mail first popped up about ten years ago -- and has recently resurfaced -- which alleges that Hilfiger was booted off the set of "Oprah" when he supposedly admitted that he intended his designs for "upper-class white people," not for Blacks, Jews, Asians or Latinos. Turns out that Hilfiger never said anything of the sort -- anywhere -- and that he wasn't even a guest on the show.

Hilfiger was so floored by the rumors, he tells O, that he paid FBI investigators "a lot of money" to track down the source, though the closest they got was an unnamed college campus. And, in the end, he says, the rumor's ridiculous because, frankly, what he really wants is money "from anyone that will buy my clothes."

Tags: Oprah, Tommy Hilfiger, TommyHilfiger

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16. yea perez is sick but he's making enough money off his site to HIRE people.... have any of you seen the TMZ headquarters on tv? they have alot of people working for them so there is really no excuse.. my only purpose of writing my original comment was to thank TMZ im a celeb gossip junkie and theyre feeding me my gossip! SO THANKS TMZ AND KEEP IT UP BC I DONT THINK ILL BE VISITING PEREZ FOR A WHILE (especially since one of the only updates today was about dina lohan trying to get on the view) KEEP IT UP WITH THE RELEVANT GOSSIP LOVE YA!

Posted at 6:02PM on May 2nd 2007 by TARA

17. The article says: "Hilfiger was so floored by the rumors, he tells O, that he paid FBI investigators "a lot of money" to track down the source". Just for the record, I'm not aware that FBI investigators can be paid by individual citizens to "investigate".

When, who and how much? I suspect that the FBI and Department of Justice's Inspectors General will want to know who, when and how much also. This is a much better allegation than the original story. Enquiring minds want to know - I mean TMZing minds want The Most Zingers (with pics, of course). Rrrrrr!

Posted at 6:08PM on May 2nd 2007 by Rrrrrr!

18. I NEVER BELIVE HE SAID IT IN THE FIRST PLACE. IGLAD IT WAS CLEARED UP.

Posted at 6:09PM on May 2nd 2007 by Marlene.

19. Tara, it is better if he doesn't. That Fat ReRe.

Posted at 6:34PM on May 2nd 2007 by JD

20. I doubt that he really said any racist remarks about people wearing his clothes! I would say that he is like most all others and in it for the Money and it doesn't matter to him who is wearing it as long as people are buying them!

Posted at 6:46PM on May 2nd 2007 by A

21. since when is it legal to pay FBI investigators?

Posted at 7:16PM on May 2nd 2007 by meg

22. who the hell pays the FBI to track fraud. Tommy's full of it. I don't think he sent some email but bet ur bottom dollar he would have preferred his clothing were "white rich" clothing ala billionaire Ralph Lauren then rappers delight.

Posted at 7:16PM on May 2nd 2007 by TAJ

23. You can pay FBI investigators?

Posted at 7:45PM on May 2nd 2007 by Gahan

24. Hell yes, you guys are updating, unlike Perez... I'm just gonna start coming on here instead, he barely updates anymore, the site seems to be going downhill. TMZ rawx!!!! :)

Posted at 8:19PM on May 2nd 2007 by Lissie

25. The rumors ARE indeed true. He did say that and it was aired on Oprah, my mom and I saw that episode. To bad we didnt tape it, it would REALLY come in handy right now. But how could Oprah lie to millions of people who are on her show. She has had everyone and every topic on her show -everyone who was and is at the top of their career make appearances at the show to boost their own following therefore leading to more money. But thats beside the point that Tommy H. commented on the fact that another clothing line- FuBu: for us by us, was for the black population and he didnt want that he wanted to adhere to the upper class white population. Of course he'll want the black population right now because the trend is towards their music and clothing style. Thats where the money is coming in and thats where the strategic play is being set with both Oprah- who might get money from advertising from Tommy H. or something else and Tommy H.- more money from a wider following now.

Posted at 8:28PM on May 2nd 2007 by Missy Ronald

26. We have identfied more small minded human beings! #18 PerezSux, #21fag.
What does it matter if Tommy H is gay?

I have never really been too thrilled with Tommy H's clothing line. I have found one pair of pants that I liked and didn't know they were Tommy clothes till I got home!

Posted at 8:30PM on May 2nd 2007 by Flabena{\0/}

27. THE FBI DOESN'T TAKE MONEY!!!

Posted at 9:30PM on May 2nd 2007 by Rascal

28. 13. last may i was on the cape for an event, and our taxi driver told us all about tommy hilfiger. he said that he is rude, obnoxious and racist, and that he indeed did say that had he known that his clothes would be worn by any "urban" groups, he would not have created them.

Posted at 5:52PM on May 2nd 2007 by kelly
That has to be gospel, as everyone knows,taxi drivers know everything..lol

Posted at 9:39PM on May 2nd 2007 by maddox

29. Thank goodness he's cleared THAT up, I could hardly sleep

Posted at 2:02PM on May 7th 2007 by Robin Givens

30. I am african american and have heard this same rumor off and on for 10 years; and have even had other african americans ask me why I wear his clothing and if I heard what he supposedly said. I never believed the rumor. I love Tommy Hilfiger clothing and I have quite a bit of it.

Keep up the good work Tommy Hilfiger and keep the plus size line alive...

Posted at 9:59PM on May 2nd 2007 by kbnh

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