US talk show host ridiculed for saying Helen of Troy was Black amid The Odyssey controversy

Sunny Hostin, co-host of The View, has sparked backlash online after suggesting Helen of Troy "can be black" during Thursday's programme.

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.

Ms Hostin argued diverse portrayals of the mythological Greek figure could be historically justified.

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.

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"If you think Helen of Troy cannot be Black, you don't know history," the presenter said.

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.

The presenter also referenced her experience teaching Greek mythology to eighth-grade students, saying she had discussed such debates in the classroom.

The arguments surrounding Black Athena have remained controversial within academic circles for decades.

Fellow co-host Whoopi Goldberg offered a more direct response to viewers upset by possible casting decisions.

"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.

Ms Hostin later suggested that racial prejudice often influences such reactions, particularly in modern America.

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.

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Ms Hostin concluded that those rejecting the possibility of a Black actress portraying Helen of Troy lacked sufficient historical understanding.

The backlash against the presenter online was swift.

One user wrote on X: "Helen of Troy was Greek. Cleopatra was Greek. Homer was Greek. Plato, Socrates and Aristotle, all Greek."

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’s steal Greek heritage and make it woke as hell!"

A third critic wrote: "She blends Greek myth, African influence, and modern American race politics into one reheated bowl of television-grade BS."

"This woman is the reason why there are directions on a bottle of shampoo," someone else added.

Elon Musk has also previously weighed into the growing debate surrounding Mr Nolan's adaptation of The Odyssey.

The billionaire businessman criticised reports Ms Nyong'o could portray Helen of Troy, accusing the Oscar-winning director of embracing "woke casting".

"Chris Nolan has lost his integrity," Mr Musk wrote on X earlier this year.

The tech entrepreneur also reacted furiously to rumours trans actor Elliot Page could portray Achilles in the adaptation.

Mr Musk described the alleged casting as "one of the dumbest and most twisted things I've ever heard".

There has been no official confirmation regarding which character Mr Page will portray in the film.

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