Actress and singer Stephanie Mills has declared her support for her friend Phylicia Rashad after students, and alumni of Howard University began to call for Rashad to be fired from the dean of the College of Fine Arts.
Rashad came under fire after tweeting in celebration after Cosby’s sexual assault conviction was overturned.
Rashad tweeted, “FINALLY!!!! A terrible wrong is being righted- a miscarriage of justice is corrected!”
Phylicia Rashad later apologized to Howard University students and families after facing backlash for celebrating the release of Bill Cosby from prison earlier this week.
I fully support survivors of sexual assault coming forward. My post was in no way intended to be insensitive to their truth. Personally, I know from friends and family that such abuse has lifelong residual effects. My heartfelt wish is for healing.
— Phylicia Rashad (@PhyliciaRashad) June 30, 2021
In an Instagram post, Mills shared a picture of herself and Rashad with a caption, “I love you, @phyliciarashad ❤️❤️❤️. If it’s true that Howard University wants to terminate her position because they feel her comments about Mr. Cosby were insensitive, then they should give back the millions of dollars that he donated to the university.”
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Bill Cosby reacted to Mills’s message supporting Rashad, tweeting, “Thank you @iamstephaniemills your voice has always been powerful!”
Thank you @iamstephaniemills your voice has always been powerful! https://t.co/KwsVF4gAuz
— Bill Cosby (@BillCosby) July 4, 2021
Related Story: Janet Hubert Slams Phylicia Rashad’s Joyful Response to Bill Cosby’s Release from Prison
Mills’ comments were met with mixed reactions on both her Instagram and on Twitter. Some users wrote, “You do have a point,” while others were livid under the post.
Writer Candice Marie Benbow wrote, “She’s gonna feel like an idiot when she learns he never gave millions to Howard and she’s thinking about Spelman. LOLOL.”
She’s gonna feel like an idiot when she learns he never gave millions to Howard and she’s thinking about Spelman. LOLOL
— Candice Marie Benbow (@CandiceBenbow) July 4, 2021
Others tweeted their support. One wrote, “I love Stephanie Mills. Always have, always will.”
I love Stephanie Mills. Always have, always will. https://t.co/L081dFLzWi
— Dwann B 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@dwannb) July 3, 2021
