![\"Sunny](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/sunny-hostin.png\")
<\/p>\nSunny Hostin, co-host of The View, has sparked backlash online after suggesting Helen of Troy “can be black” during Thursday’s programme.<\/p>\n
The remarks came during a discussion about Christopher Nolan’s forthcoming adaptation of The Odyssey, with speculation over possible casting choices prompting debate among the panel.<\/p>\n
Ms Hostin argued diverse portrayals of the mythological Greek figure could be historically justified.<\/p>\n
During the segment, Ms Hostin referenced Black Athena, a controversial study arguing that ancient Greek civilisation was significantly influenced by African and Near Eastern cultures.<\/p>\n
Sunny Hostin has sparked backlash online<\/p>\n
| <\/p>\n
THE VIEW<\/p>\n
“If you think Helen of Troy cannot be Black, you don’t know history,” the presenter said.<\/p>\n
Ms Hostin added there had long been an academic debate over the extent to which ancient Egyptian and North African societies shaped Greek mythology and civilisation.<\/p>\n
The presenter also referenced her experience teaching Greek mythology to eighth-grade students, saying she had discussed such debates in the classroom.<\/p>\n
The arguments surrounding Black Athena have remained controversial within academic circles for decades.<\/p>\n
![\"Lupita](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/lupita-nyong-u2019o.jpg\")
Lupita Nyong\u2019o will play the dual roles of Helen of Troy and her sister Clytemnestra in the action-epic<\/p>\n
| <\/p>\n
GETTY<\/p>\n
Fellow co-host Whoopi Goldberg offered a more direct response to viewers upset by possible casting decisions.<\/p>\n
“My question is why is this upsetting? Why don’t you just not go to the movie? That’s an easy solution,” Ms Goldberg said.<\/p>\n
Ms Hostin later suggested that racial prejudice often influences such reactions, particularly in modern America.<\/p>\n
She also noted Andromea is traditionally described as an Ethiopian princess in classical mythology and cited Othello as an example of longstanding diverse representation in Western storytelling.<\/p>\n
![\"Sunny](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1778918411_382_sunny-hostin.png\")
Sunny Hostin argued diverse portrayals of the mythological Greek figure could be historically justified<\/p>\n
| <\/p>\n
THE VIEW<\/p>\n
Ms Hostin concluded that those rejecting the possibility of a Black actress portraying Helen of Troy lacked sufficient historical understanding.<\/p>\n
The backlash against the presenter online was swift.<\/p>\n
One user wrote on X: “Helen of Troy was Greek. Cleopatra was Greek. Homer was Greek. Plato, Socrates and Aristotle, all Greek.”<\/p>\n
Another said: “This show needs to go off the air. Imagine if we had a white guy play Obama, what would happen then? Cities will be on fire! But let\u2019s steal Greek heritage and make it woke as hell!”<\/p>\n
A third critic wrote: “She blends Greek myth, African influence, and modern American race politics into one reheated bowl of television-grade BS.”<\/p>\n
“This woman is the reason why there are directions on a bottle of shampoo,” someone else added.<\/p>\n
![\"\\u200bChristopher](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/u200bchristopher-nolan.jpg\")
<\/p>\n