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By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com
Fashion types despised the leopard-print Christian Dior gown 'The View' moderator Whoopi Goldberg donned while presenting the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress during the 81st Annual Academy Awards telecast last Sunday.
The Oscar-winning actress has never been one to mince words, so it comes as no surprise that she addressed those who chastised her dress during Wednesday's "Hot Topics" segment on 'The View.'
"Let me address this whole dress thing," Goldberg, who won an Oscar for her role in 'Ghost,' began. "Let me explain something to you about this dress, this dress gave me everything I wanted, which was for comfort and flow. I wore regular underwear – no girdle, no nothing. You would have thought it odd if I would have showed up with one of those off-the-shoulder things or trying to look like I was 22."
The 53-year-old comedienne, who has also won a two Golden Globe Awards, a Grammy, a Tony, an Emmy, a Daytime Emmy, a Peoples Choice Award and a Mark Twain Award for American Humor, confessed she's shocked by the criticism because she's never been a "fashion person."
2009 Grammy Nominations
Singer Celine Dion (R) announces nominees for Album of the the Year during the Grammy Nominations Concert organized to announce the nominations for the 51st Grammy Awards at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles, California, on December 3, 2008. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
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Singer Celine Dion performs during the Grammy Nominations Concert organized to announce the nominations for the 51st Grammy Awards at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles, California, on December 3, 2008. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Singer Taylor Swift (R) and Neil Portnow, president/CEO of the Recording Academy, appear on stage during the Grammy Nominations Concert organized to announce the nominations for the 51st Grammy Awards at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles, California, on December 3, 2008. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Singer Celine Dion announces nominees for the Album of the Year during the Grammy Nominations Concert organized to announce the nominations for the 51st Grammy Awards at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles, California, on December 3, 2008. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US singer Mariah Carey performs during the Grammy Nominations Concert organized to announce the nominations for the 51st Grammy Awards at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles, California, on December 3, 2008. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US singer Mariah Carey performs during the Grammy Nominations Concert organized to announce the nominations for the 51st Grammy Awards at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles, California, on December 3, 2008. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US singer Mariah Carey performs during the Grammy Nominations Concert organized to announce the nominations for the 51st Grammy Awards at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles, California, on December 3, 2008. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
** FILE ** In this Dec. 3, 2008 file photo, Taylor Swift arrives at "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live" in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, file)
AP
Musician Ne-Yo poses in the press room during The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live held at the Nokia Theatre on December 3, 2008 in Los Angeles, California..The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! - Press Room.Nokia Theatre.Los Angeles, California United States.December 3, 2008.Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com..To license this image (56303818), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Taylor Swift arrives at the Grammy Nomination Concert Live at the Nokia Theatre on December 3, 2008 in Los Angeles, California..The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! - Arrivals.Nokia Theatre.Los Angeles, CA United States.December 3, 2008.Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com..To license this image (16188028), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
"I have never, ever been anything but myself," she continued. "I've alw 
ays worn things that were myself."
Goldberg, who was also nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal of Miss Celie in 'The Color Purple,' said she was oblivious to most of the chatter about the dress because she was on her bus driving back from
Once her team shared the feedback, the 'Sister Act' actress didn't understand the significance.
"The way they're talking about this dress, you would have thought I hit Rihanna," she offered. "I have my own style! I have always been myself. I will always be myself!"
When Goldberg hosted the 62nd Annual Tony Awards last June she wore a custom-made gown by 'Project Runway' winner Christian Siriano.
2009 Oscar Awards Red Carpet
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 22: (EDITORS NOTE: NO ONLINE, NO INTERNET, EMBARGOED FROM INTERNET AND TELEVISION USAGE UNTIL THE CONCLUSION OF THE LIVE OSCARS TELECAST) Donald Graham Burt (2nd L) and Victor J. Zolfo (2nd R) pose in the press room with their Best Art Direction awards for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," and presenters Daniel Craig (L) and Sarah Jessica Parker (R), at the 81st Annual Academy Awards held at Kodak Theatre on February 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Austrian director Gotz Spielmann (2ndR), nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category for 'Revanche' poses with the film's producer and cast as they arrive at the 81st Annual Academy Awards held at Kodak Theatre on February 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Austrian director Gotz Spielmann (2ndR), nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category for 'Revanche' poses with the film's producer and cast as they arrive at the 81st Annual Academy Awards held at Kodak Theatre on February 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Producer Christian Colson and guest arrive at the 81st Annual Academy Awards held at Kodak Theatre on February 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Filmmaker Jochen Alexander Freydank (2nd from Left) and guests arrive at the 81st Annual Academy Awards held at Kodak Theatre on February 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 22: President and Chief Executive Officer of NBC Universal Jeff Zucker and guest arrive at the 81st Annual Academy Awards held at Kodak Theatre on February 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Director Danny Boyle (L) and actress Rubiana Ali (holding two of the Academy Award statues that "Slumdog Millionaire" won) at the 81st Annual Academy Awards Governor's Ball held at Kodak Theatre on February 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Director Megan Mylan (3rd from L) and guests arrive at the 81st Annual Academy Awards held at Kodak Theatre on February 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Actor Adrien Brody (C) and "Slumdog Millionaire" actors attend the 81st Annual Academy Awards Governor's Ball held at Kodak Theatre on February 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Overture Films' Danny Rosett (R) and his wife arrive at the 81st Annual Academy Awards held at Kodak Theatre on February 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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Comments: (270)
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By: keewi01 on 2/26/2009 10:57AM
That's right Whoopi your fashion has always been true to your personality. The dress was you...and with an ethnic spin. The fashion world was just not ready...that's all. Let'em hate!
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By: Nijah0982 on 2/26/2009 3:39PM
I agree..
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By: Tyrell on 2/26/2009 3:53PM
Ethnic spin? Do tell, what exactly was the "ethnic spin" part of this dress?
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By: Louise on 2/26/2009 4:13PM
I LOVED Whoopi's dress! It was so her! I'd go right out and buy it too! Right on, Whoopi!
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By: bev on 2/26/2009 5:13PM
Whoopi's dress is hidious to say the least. She looks fat and sloppy and the material used in itself it pathetic. Only thing worst than her dress is when she opens her mouth.
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By: Kathy on 2/26/2009 7:28PM
I like the black outfit shown below, and will never forget her in that slinky blue dress way back when - who woulda thought Whoopi would wear something like that? And she looked so good!
But I can just hear her saying "Let me address this whole dress thing" lol! You go, Whoopi! I can't even remember what any of them wore to the Oscars, and it's only Thursday... so who really cares?
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By: Tami on 2/26/2009 7:32PM
I think whoopie looked great. I couldnt imagine her any other way. SHE IS HERSELF and NOT trying to be SOMEONE ELSE. I have always been a fan of hers. People need to get a life on here and stop downing people. Its called individuality. Ever heard of it. She was beautiful, comfortable and funny. Grow up people.
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By: Arnita on 2/27/2009 7:38PM
Whoopi, I say you go girl. God created us each as individuals and not from a cookie cutter design. Just be who you are and if people don't like it, it's because they are not free from the bondage of men's opinions as you are. People are fickle, they like you one day and the next they don't. You looked good.
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By: Mary Savage on 2/28/2009 9:54AM
I didn't even look at the dress, just loved her hairdo! Keep it Goldie, much much better than the former.
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By: Mssylady on 2/28/2009 1:21PM
Whoopi's dress was Whoopi and I could see myself in something similar and being comfortable. You go girl...be you!
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