As the entertainment industry continues to reel from the shocking news of the death of beloved actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner earlier this month, his fans, admirers, and celebrity pals zoomed to social media to remember the fallen star.
Among names like Bill Cosby, Beyonce, Angela Bassett, Jamie Foxx, Viola Davis, Taraji P. Henson, and many others was the late 54-year-old’s ‘Reed Between the Lines’ co-star Tracee Ellis Ross who portrayed his wife on the short-lived BET sitcom.
And while most commenters on her social media tribute were extending condolences for the loss of her friend, many were extending criticism for the choice of photos she used in said homage.
Look inside to see the hoopla.
Shortly after news broke of Warner’s death, Ross rushed to Instagram to honor the memory of the late ‘Cosby Show’ star.
“I love you, Malcolm. First I met you as Theo with the rest of the world then you were my first TV husband. My heart is so so sad,” she shared with her 11.4 million followers on the platform. “You made the world a brighter place. Sending so much love to your family. I’m so sorry for this unimaginable loss.”
Criticism quickly rolled in for Tracee’s choice of photos to accompany the post, however.
Selecting pictures from the two’s ‘Upscale‘ magazine shoot while promoting ‘Reed’ in the early 2010s, the snaps see the two embraced in an intimate manner – one that many commenters thought was disrespectful to Malcolm-Jamal’s wife.
Look below to see some of the stinging commentary.
Ouch!
At writing, Ross nor Warner’s wife has directly responded to the backlash.
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Can’t wait to read her response. I ain’t neva seen Tracee turn up.
I am sure they meant no harm but… I sort of agree. Why not just post a headshot of him. its a little narcissistic?
He was an artist and so is she. She posted a picture of the the characters they played that connected them. It’s in no way offensive or misleading. It baffles me that so many people have such a hard time separating entertainment from reality.