Shocking Revelation: Rachel Bilson Claps Back at Whoopi Goldberg for Controversial Stance on Her Dating Life

Rachel Bilson. Paras Griffin/Getty Images

Rachel Bilson responded to Whoopi Goldberg's criticism of her opinion about men who have less than four sexual partners, stating that she has been a long-time fan of Goldberg's. She expressed concern after seeing the headline that Goldberg had criticized her remarks and mentioned that she had watched Goldberg discuss her podcast episode on "Broad Ideas" on The View earlier in the day.

Bilson emphasized the significance of fully listening to a conversation before forming personal judgments or criticism.

The former star of The O.C. stressed that her team ensures the podcast is a secure and inclusive space for discussing any topic. She clarified that her and cohost Olivia Allen's conversation on the topic of sexual partners in the October 2nd episode was just casual talk.

“I have the authority to edit our podcast and I made the decision to include the entire conversation. In life, there are moments when we say something and upon reflection, we may have a different perspective. The important message I wanted to convey is that it doesn't ultimately matter, as I have moved away from being judgmental. I wanted to emphasize that I do not intend to sound judgmental, as that was the crucial point, rather than the initial statement."

Bilson gained attention on Monday after revealing on her podcast that she would find it somewhat unusual if a man in his 40s had only been intimate with four women. However, she clarified that this opinion depends on individual circumstances. For instance, if the man has been in a committed relationship for a significant amount of time, it is completely respectable."

Bilson acknowledged in the broadcast that it would be unjust for her to make assumptions about someone's personal relationships. She mentioned that in the past, she would inquire about a person's history with previous partners, but she indicated that she is inclined to refrain from doing so in the future.

Whoopi Goldberg. ABC/Jeff Lipsky

Goldberg, for her part, weighed in on Bilson’s comments during the Thursday episode of The View and took issue with the topic.

Goldberg expressed her confusion and stated her disagreement regarding the concern over someone's sexual partners, emphasizing that it is not anyone's business. She pointed out that in the past, society taught men to have multiple sexual partners, while women were expected not to. However, times have changed, and women have rightfully challenged these double standards. Reflecting on her previous statement, Bilson considered it to be a casual remark made in a conversation with friends, which she later retracted.

The former Hart of Dixie actor explained, "Even as I talk about it now, I struggle to fully believe it. That's why I feel it's crucial to defend it and provide clarity."

In support of her cohost, Allen affirmed, "Rachel's decision not to edit the conversation to fit a specific narrative truly captures the authenticity of real-life discussions. It's one of our core principles, and I believe that anyone passing judgment should listen to the entire episode."

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Rachel Bilson

Whoopi Goldberg