Anthony Anderson is apologizing for a 2003 interview with a then-17-year-old Lindsay Lohan that has resurfaced to backlash on social media in recent days.
In the clip, when Anderson guest hosted The Sharon Osbourne Show, the comedian makes a number of comments that are being criticized on social media. In particular, after Lohan references that she’s a minor by saying she’s “illegal, for people that are old,” Anderson says, “Some men like them young. We ain’t gonna mention no names, but I’m one of them.” He then laughs.
In a statement obtained by People, a rep for Anderson says, “This interview was clearly intended as comedy. 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.”
The comments about Lohan’s age come after she talks about how she recently moved in with fellow Disney star and friend Raven-Symoné.
He asks Lohan about their living situation and how they’re adjusting as roommates, and gives her a pink satin pillow with his face on it, after she references her decor.
He then asks: “What gentlemen will be at the new pad with you and Raven-Symoné?”
“No one. I don’t have a boyfriend,” Lohan says, before Anderson adds: “She’s single, but looking!”
It’s here that Lohan explains her age and Anderson replies with the “like them young” remark, after which he laughs.
Later, throwing to a commercial break, Anderson highlights that Freaky Friday is out on DVD that day, and jokes, “right now, we’re about to get our freak on” as he appears to give her a hug as she covers her mouth with her hand.
Elsewhere in the interview, Anderson recalls how his kids enjoy watching her in Parent Trap and marvels that despite her “sophistication” she’s “only 17.” They also talk about her learning to drive and growing up on Long Island and her then-upcoming movie Mean Girls as well as their respective awkward run-ins with Osbourne and Dyan Cannon, in Anderson’s case.
The interview has resurfaced as Lohan is promoting her Freaky Friday sequel, Freakier Friday, which sees the actress reunite with co-star Jamie Lee Curtis. Freakier Friday hits theaters on Aug. 8.
