Anthony Anderson has addressed an uncomfortable interview he conducted with an underaged Lindsay Lohan in 2003, which resurfaced online this week.
The actor and comedian, 54, was guest hosting The Sharon Osbourne Show in the 22-year-old clip, which has gone viral online.
Anderson, who was 33 at the time while Lohan was 17, was discussing how she had recently moved in with fellow Disney star and friend Raven-Symoné and went on to make a series of sexualised comments.
‘Both of you are beautiful women. Both of you are young and have your individual styles,’ Anderson told Lohan. He then asked: ‘What gentlemen will be at the new pad with you and Raven-Symoné?’
Lohan replied ‘no one’ to Anderson’s question, emphasising that she did not have a boyfriend.
After Anderson told viewers that Lohan is ‘single but looking’, Lohan put her hand up and looked at the viewers to say: ‘But I’m illegal for people that are old.’
‘Well, you know, some men like them young,’ Anderson replied. ‘We ain’t gonna mention no names, but, you know, I’m one of them.’
In the resurfaced clip, Anderson also told Lohan that both he and his kids loved her in the 1998 film The Parent Trap.
‘You’ve grown up a whole lot since then,’ he then told her, with his hand on her knee.
Since the clip started to gain traction online, with many labelling the interview style inappropriate towards underage Lohan, Anderson’s representative has responded on the comedian’s behalf.
‘This interview was clearly intended as comedy,’ Anderson’s rep said in a statement to People.
‘He regrets if the humor was in poor taste and maintains the utmost respect for Lindsay. Any implication to the contrary is both inaccurate and potentially defamatory.’
Lohan has yet to respond to the viral 2003 interview, which resurfaced as she promotes the upcoming sequel to her Freak Friday movie, Freakier Friday, where she stars alongside Jamie Lee Curtis.
Anderson has been accused of sexual assault on three different occasions, but has never been charged and has denied the allegations.
Metro contacted Lindsay Lohan’s representative for comment.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
