Elisabeth Hasselbeck has apologized for recent comments she made concerning Dancing with the Stars' participant Erin Andrews and her convicted stalker Michael David Barrett.

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"Yesterday when we were talking about Erin -- even though I was focused on this detestable criminal who's behind bars thankfully and has really made her life a living hell -- I ended up hurting her," said a tearful Hasselbeck during Wednesday's The View broadcast.

"I'm really sorry. I wanted to offer that publicly. I didn't want to hurt somebody."

Hasselbeck was apologizing for comments she made during Tuesday's The View broadcast when she first credited Andrews for wearing "gorgeous, classic gowns at some point in the competition" and stating she "looked beautiful" before criticizing her more recent Dancing with the Stars' attire.

"For the past three weeks, she's been wearing like next to nothing," said Hasselbeck.

"I think in light of what happened -- and as illegal and inexcusable as it was for that horrific guy to go in and try to peep on her in her hotel room -- in some way, if I'm him, I'm like, 'Man, I just could have waited 12 weeks and seen this, a little bit less without the prison time.'"

Hasselbeck added Andrews "may be a really nice person" before claiming she should "think" about her outfits on the show considering Barrett was sentenced in March to more than two years in federal prison after he was convicted of secretly shooting nude videos of Andrews.

Following Tuesday night's live Dancing with the Stars' results show, Andrews told Access Hollywood that she considered Hasselbeck's comments "a slap in the face for victims of stalkers and victims of sexual predators."

"I think that people can have their opinions about the costumes and the show. Everybody's entitled to an opinion, but my biggest complaint of the situation is she's a woman and she's a mother and there was giggling," said Andrews.

"It was made to be a mockery of something I've lived through this past year, my family has lived through, my friends have lived through. We have a convicted felon now who's going to jail for doing this. I don't know who's laughing about this."

In addition, Andrews' professional partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy also took offense to Hasselbeck's comments.

"I think it's unfair," he told Access Hollywood.

"Not only do I have Erin's back, but I support the show. It's my home, it's my family. Clearly [Hasselbeck] has no idea what we do here, what this is about -- our outfits are not skimpy, they're well thought out. They have to do with the dance. If anyone wants to ask me about the costumes, I'm more than happy to explain the origin, where it comes from."

Prior to apologizing to Andrews during Wednesday's The View broadcast, Hasselbeck said she "wasn't feeling that great about" her previous comments and had discussed them with her 5-year-old daughter.

"I said, 'Well Grace, today mommy hurt someone's feelings,'" said Hasselbeck as she began to cry.

"It's harder when you're explaining it to your kid. But it was a moment that I thought I should explain to her... I told her and I promised her that I would use my words more mindfully to build people up, not break people down. Thankfully she's five. She's so cute. She said, 'Mommy, why don't you just call Erin and tell her you're sorry.' I listened to her. I did."

Although Hasselbeck apologized both privately and publicly to Andrews, the ESPN reporter said it wasn't necessary.

"I don't need an apology," she told Access Hollywood on Tuesday night.
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio

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