Oprah faces backlash over 2004 interview with Olsen twins

Oprah Winfrey is facing a backlash after an old interview showing her asking the Olsen twins about their clothing size resurfaced.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2004, around the time that there were rumours of Mary-Kate having an eating disorder. Later that year it was reported that the star was seeking treatment for a health-related issue.

The clip has now emerged on TikTok.

It shows Winfrey mentioning the eating disorder rumours, asking the then 17-year-old twins: “I know a new rumour (that has) recently surfaced has really upset you, right? You know, the one about eating.”

Ashley replied: “You know people are going to write what they’re going to write."

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She went on: "We try not to read the good or the bad because it just comes with the territory.

"Either you’re too fat, too skinny and people are just going to write what they…”

The chat show queen then chimed in to ask: “What size are you, by the way?”

“Size?” asks Ashley, before Mary-Kate says they were “petite”.

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The unearthed clip sparked criticism online, with some people calling the interview “uncomfortable”, “unacceptable” and “problematic”.

Another asked: “I know we're living in different times, but how did they think that was okay!?!”

However, others defended Winfrey, pointing out that 2004 was a long time ago.

"To bash her for something that happened 17 years ago is so stupid," said one person on Twitter.

The Olsen twins have been in the public eye all their lives after they were cast as baby Michelle in the comedy series Full House.

Now 34, they have since starred in a host of film and TV shows and are now fashion designers.

Yahoo has contacted Winfrey’s representatives for comment.

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