More than 15 years after the moment first aired, Whoopi Goldberg is addressing her reaction to a now-infamous “America’s Next Top Model” runway fall.
The clip, which recently resurfaced in Netflix’s “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model,” shows Goldberg laughing on “The View” as Cycle 14 contestant Alexandra Underwood was struck by a swinging pendulum and knocked off a runway during a challenge. After the documentary revisited the footage, Goldberg issued a public apology on the Feb. 18 episode of “The View.”
Whoopi Addresses the Resurfaced Clip
Goldberg acknowledged the moment head-on during the live broadcast.
“Here’s something I want to do, because in this documentary there’s a clip from our show, where I had showed the ladies this thing,” she said. “Now, this was, to me, one of the funniest things I had ever seen in my life.”
She then apologized directly to Underwood.
“I wanted to apologize, because there’s a person who got knocked off that,” Goldberg said. “And her name is Alexandra Underwood from Cycle 14. I’m sorry I laughed at this. I couldn’t help it. It was funny as hell. But I am telling you, it’s one of the funniest things, if I had to point to something. It is one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen.”
Her cohosts reacted in real time. Sara Haines joked that Goldberg seemed more sorry she was “still laughing about it,” while Joy Behar teased that another apology might be coming soon. Goldberg maintained that she understands what it feels like to fall publicly.
“I have fallen down,” she said. “And you have to take it when people are laughing.”
She clarified that her laughter stemmed from what she described as physical comedy, not from an intent to mock Underwood personally.
A Look Back at Alexandra Underwood’s ANTM Run
Underwood competed on Cycle 14 of “America’s Next Top Model” and ultimately placed third/fourth. The Texas native, who stood 5 feet 11 inches tall, described herself as a tomboy during auditions and quickly became a memorable presence on the show.
The pendulum runway challenge became one of the most talked-about moments of the season. During the episode, Underwood first fell down a set of stairs before stepping onto the runway. She then mistimed her walk and was struck from behind by the swinging pendulum, causing her to fall off the platform. She scraped her knee and tore her dress during the incident.
Despite the setback, Underwood continued in the competition and showed significant improvement later in the season, earning strong call-outs during the New Zealand episodes. She was ultimately eliminated in a double elimination just before the final judging.
After the show, she signed with Wilhelmina Models in New York and Models 1 in London and went on to work with brands including Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Goldberg’s apology comes as “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model” revisits some of the series’ most controversial moments. As Goldberg put it during her on-air statement, “I’m sorry I laughed at this.”
Can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all. It wouldn’t have been funny if it was her. Two faces.