Whoopi Goldberg Calls Her $8 Million Job on The View “Hell”—Fans Say It’s “Arrogance” and “Out of Touch”

Whoopi Goldberg’s latest comments on The View have left fans stunned and furious. The 69-year-old co-host, who reportedly earns a staggering $8 million a year, claimed on Tuesday’s episode that her high-profile, multimillion-dollar gig sometimes “feels like hell.” Coming off a two-week break after a controversial comment comparing the struggles of living in the United States as a Black person to living in Iran, Goldberg’s remarks sparked an immediate backlash—once again raising questions about her apparent disconnect from reality.

Goldberg, who has appeared on The View since 2007, is worth an estimated $60million

A Warm Welcome… Followed by a Cold Response

As the applause erupted when Goldberg returned to the show after her hiatus, she expressed gratitude for the warm reception but added a statement that quickly caught the attention of viewers. “Let us say this to you: Thank you for that, because sometimes this gig can feel like hell,” she said, visibly moved by the applause. “And sometimes you feel like people are just angry at you all the time. So, to get a welcome like this this morning, we really appreciate it.”

While Goldberg’s emotional moment seemed to resonate with some of her fellow co-hosts, the remark left many viewers rolling their eyes. How can someone earning millions a year from a top TV show possibly compare their job to “hell”? The comments immediately sparked an avalanche of criticism, particularly in light of the lavish salary she draws, along with her considerable fortune of $60 million.

A Long-Standing History of Controversial Remarks

Whoopi Goldberg, who has been co-hosting The View since 2007, is no stranger to controversy. Over the years, her off-the-cuff remarks have gotten her into hot water on multiple occasions. Her most recent controversy stemmed from a comment she made regarding the human rights violations in Iran and the treatment of marginalized groups in the United States. She suggested that living in America as a Black person was just as bad as living in Iran—a statement that enraged many, particularly those who have experienced the oppression in both countries firsthand.

Despite the backlash, Goldberg appeared unfazed. Instead of addressing the controversy head-on, she took a break from The View, attending a ceremony in Sicily where she discussed the “challenges” of being a celebrity. Her response to the outcry on social media? Largely silent—until her return to the show. And then, she dropped the “hell” bombshell.

'[S]ometimes this gig can feel like hell,' Whoopi Goldberg said on The View Tuesday. 'And sometimes you feel like people are just angry at you all the time'

The Hypocrisy: $8 Million Job and “Hell”?

It’s hard to ignore the glaring contradictions in Goldberg’s statements. She’s reportedly the highest-paid host on The View, with an annual salary of $8 million. This, for a job where she frequently voices strong opinions, some of which have left audiences and critics fuming. The contrast between her lavish earnings and the “hell” she claims to endure seems not just tone-deaf but borderline absurd.

“Out of touch celebrity says $8 million a year to co-host The View can be hell,” one commenter wrote on X, pointing out the stark discrepancy between Goldberg’s reality and that of most working Americans. “Then donate your salary, buffoon,” another added, while a third commenter declared, “Of course it sometimes feels ‘like hell’ for Whoopi. She thinks she’s immune from feedback to the garbage takes she and her co-hosts bring to The View? What arrogance.”

Indeed, Goldberg’s comments seem to exemplify the kind of “arrogance” many find grating about her—specifically, her apparent inability to recognize her own privilege while complaining about the difficulties of her high-paying career. For a woman worth $60 million, who has spent decades in the public eye, to claim that her job “feels like hell” is a hard pill to swallow for many viewers, especially those dealing with real-life struggles every day.

Goldberg returned to The View this week following a trip overseas and the show's annual weeklong summer hiatus

Whoopi’s Discomfort with Criticism

This isn’t the first time Goldberg has expressed discomfort with the backlash she receives. In 2019, she told The New York Times that she saw her job on The View as “just a job,” and not something she took personally. “These are not conversations that I’m having with my friends,” she explained. “If they were, we’d be doing it differently. My friends and I can talk about things in-depth in a different way than you can on television.”

But the problem, as many see it, is that Goldberg seems to forget that The View is, in fact, a platform that invites dialogue and public scrutiny. If you’re going to air your opinions in front of millions of people, there’s bound to be pushback. The idea that she’s above criticism—or that the job is so difficult because of the inevitable public response—is hard to digest when she has everything she needs financially.

When She Said She Needed the Money

In November of last year, Goldberg made another controversial statement that has left viewers scratching their heads. While discussing why she has stayed on The View for so long, she claimed, “I work for a living. If I had all the money in the world, I would not be here, OK? So, I’m a working person, you know?”

Again, this comment didn’t sit well with the public. The contrast between Goldberg’s statement about needing to work and her extravagant lifestyle is stark. She’s amassed a fortune of $60 million over her career, but apparently, she still needs to “work” just like the rest of us? It’s hard to take that seriously when she’s raking in millions from her high-profile job.

The Growing Disconnect Between Celebrities and the Public

What’s becoming increasingly clear is the growing divide between the reality of celebrity lives and the everyday struggles of the public. Celebrities like Goldberg, who have a net worth far beyond most people’s wildest dreams, often seem out of touch with the everyday hardships many Americans face. While she complains about her “hellish” job, others are working two or three jobs just to make ends meet.

This disconnect is no accident. Celebrities like Goldberg live in a bubble that shields them from the true struggles faced by working-class Americans. They operate in a world where millions of dollars come in with little effort, and yet they still find ways to complain about the work they do.

Fans React: Is It Time for a Change?

As Goldberg’s latest comments continue to stir the pot, many are left wondering whether she should step back from The View. While she has been a staple of the show for years, her controversial statements seem to be alienating her fans and critics alike. Whether she’s being tone-deaf or simply out of touch, the question remains: Is it time for Goldberg to listen to the audience and reconsider her position?

One thing is clear—the public has had enough. While Whoopi Goldberg may have once been seen as a voice of reason and empathy, her recent comments paint a different picture. The question now is whether her “hellish” job is enough to make her re-evaluate how she interacts with both her audience and the world at large.

As the social media firestorm continues, it’s unclear whether Whoopi Goldberg’s reign on The View will continue unscathed, or if this latest episode will mark the beginning of her exit. Stay tuned—this drama is far from over.