A Legendary Smile: Unveiling the Fascinating Story Behind Barbara Walters' Iconic Open-Mouth Aura
Joy Behar playfully teases her late cohost Barbara Walters' iconic open-mouth smile on The View, humorously suggesting it originated from her past in the adult film industry
Joy Behar, Barbara Walters Walter McBride/WireImage
Joy Behar paid tribute to her former cohost Barbara Walters on The View by making a humorous and inappropriate joke about Walters' signature smile. During an interview with Geri Halliwell on the October 3rd episode, Behar mentioned Walters and the Spice Girls singer shared a valuable lesson she had learned from the renowned anchor.
Barbara shared her advice on achieving a perfect smile for the camera, which I still utilize. She explained that when feeling a bit rigid, simply looking into the camera and softly exhaling produces the ideal smile, known as the "Barbara smile." Halliwell, aged 51, revealed this during a conversation with her cohosts.
Behar supported Halliwell's statement, recalling that Barbara always captured photos with a gentle sigh. Behar then playfully mentioned that the secret to achieving the ideal smile involves slightly parting one's lips, jokingly referring to Barbara's past involvement in the adult film industry.
Behar's comment sparked a shocked reaction among the show's audience. However, she quickly clarified, "I'm just kidding, they know it's a joke." In response, cohost Sara Haines swiftly shifted the conversation by saying, "Alright, let's move on now."
Following the death of Barbara Walters at the age of 93 in December 2022, Behar shared kind words about her despite the NSFW joke. According to Walters' representative, Cindi Berger, Walters passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones, living a life with no regrets. Behar referred to Walters as the original role model for female broadcasters during a special tribute episode dedicated to her on The View the following month.
"Her name has been a hot topic on every show, but our personal connection with her surpasses everyone else's. We shared meals, spent time together, and had playful moments," she revealed on the January 3 episode. "What sets her apart is her unwavering defiance against sexism and ageism. She wasn't just a friend to us; she was a truly unique individual, crucial to the industry."
Alongside Behar, Walters was also an original member of The View's 1997 lineup, alongside Meredith Vieira, Star Jones, and Debbie Matenopoulos. Behar momentarily departed the series in 2013 but made a comeback two years later, emphasizing that it wasn't solely her decision.
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During a May episode of the series, she mentioned, "I have been a part of this show for 26 years, right? With a brief break, as we all remember, which was not by choice." In 2013, it was initially stated that Behar willingly left, but later she disclosed that she was, in fact, terminated by the network.
In that particular year, Behar made an assertion that Walters attempted to dismiss her from The View because she had disclosed information about Rosie O'Donnell joining the cast. During an appearance on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno in 2013, Behar recalled receiving a phone call from Walters, who supposedly stated, "Hello, Joy? It's Barbara. And I want to inform you that I will not be renewing your contract." Despite offering an apology, Behar maintained that Walters remained firm in her decision, exclaiming, "It was a significant error! I will not be renewing your contract!"
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