Today show host Meredith Vieira has apologized for comments she made during Monday’s Academy Awards coverage in which she suggested a hug between Hurt Locker stars Anthony Mackie and Jeremy Renner might give her cause to worry.

Referring to an emotional hug between the two actors on the the day the film and Renner were both nominated for Oscars, Vieira said to Mackie, “You hugged him pretty tight, I must say, in the moment. There was a lot of man-lovin’ goin’ on last night. Do I have reason to be worried?”

Co-ost Al Roker seemed immediately shocked, asking Vieira, “Why would you ask that?” Mackie then assured Vieira that there was nothing strange about a passionate hug between men and that the two actors had simply become very close making the film.

Vieira released the following statement to GLAAD: “During an interview with the cast of The Hurt Locker on Monday, I turned to actor Anthony Mackie and made a joke about 'man hugging' in reference to a hug he and fellow actor Jeremy Renner had shared a few weeks earlier on our air. It was meant to be lighthearted, but some were offended by what they believed to be a homophobic comment. That was never my intent, but that doesn’t matter. Words are extremely powerful and should never be chosen lightly, even in a lighthearted moment. I apologize to any and all that I offended. My support of the gay and lesbian community is longstanding and well documented. It has not and will never waver.”

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