A sweet moment soured.
Whoopi Goldberg has claimed an NYC bakery refused to serve her because of her political beliefs — and the 145-year-old eatery has fired back.
On Wednesday’s episode of The View, Goldberg and her co-hosts took time to celebrate her 69th birthday. The ladies indulged in some Charlotte Russe desserts, favorites from Goldberg's childhood she cherished; she recalled how her mom loved them. But the joy turned bittersweet when Goldberg shared her experience, claiming the Staten Island bakery she chose for the order declined to take it because of her left-leaning politics.
“Charlotte Russe has no political leanings, and the place I ordered these from refused to make them for me,” she said, prompting gasps from the audience. “They said their ovens had gone down and all kinds of stuff,” she added, making it clear this was not just about the sweets but felt personal. “Folks went and got them anyway, which is why I’m not telling you who made them.”
The owners of Holtermann's Bakery quickly rebuked Goldberg's claims. Not long after her remarks on air, Jill Holtermann, the bakery owner, explained the situation to Entertainment Weekly. She asserted the claim of political discrimination was far from accurate. Instead, Holtermann pointed to practical issues: "It was not because of political reasons, but because we were having trouble with our boilers. I said to Whoopi, ‘I can’t do it right now.’”
The bakery, cherished by locals for over 145 years, faced technical difficulties due to the age of their equipment. “The building is from 1930,” Holtermann elaborated, explaining she wasn’t prepared to assure Goldberg service amid those troubles.
Goldberg’s spirited birthday celebration also included gifting the audience with her favorite things, alongside music by Broadway friend James Monroe Iglehart. “But I want to celebrate my mother’s memory,” Goldberg stated, emphasizing the importance of the dessert. The Charlotte Russe, akin to “Brooklyn ambrosia,” consists of sponge cake layered with Bavarian cream and fruit, older generations celebrating its nostalgic charm.
Holtermann noted they eventually made around 50 Charlotte Russe for Goldberg — who picked them up on the morning of November 13, just hours before the show aired. That morning, she explained, "I didn’t want to make the commitment I couldn’t carry through,” underscoring her genuine concern for customer service and reliability, irrespective of who was placing the order.
Despite the enjoyment of the celebrated desserts, the controversy stirred significant dialogue online about personal biases and customer service.
Goldberg, known for her vocal criticism against Donald Trump and other right-leaning figures, speculated her political stance might have played a role. She reflected, "It can’t be because I’m a woman, but perhaps they did not like my politics.” Her co-hosts shared their astonishment during the revelations, with audible reactions of disbelief from Sunny Hostin and Sara Haines, who even jokingly spat out her dessert upon hearing Goldberg's story.
Reflecting on the festivity, Goldberg concluded, “Listen, this is my mother’s celebration. Everyone, let’s pick these up and celebrate together.” This event, meant to honor her late mother, momentarily transformed through the complexity of politics and perception.
While it's clear the bakery had its fair share of challenges, the fallout from Goldberg’s claims sparked widespread conversations, not just about the stationed beliefs associated with businesses but also about how incidences such as these can impact community interactions. Was it simply misfortune hitting the bakery at the wrong moment, or could hidden biases be shaping the narratives connected to personal experiences? Only the members of society and the individuals involved will know for certain. But one thing remains undeniable: the unfortunate mix of politics and pastries can lead to more debate than delight.
