Just when you thought cancel culture had quieted down, a jaw-dropping blast from the past has ignited one of the most heated online firestorms in recent memory.

This week, an old interview from 2003 has resurfaced — and it’s causing MAJOR trouble for Black-ish star Anthony Anderson, after fans discovered a disturbing comment he made about then-teen sensation Lindsay Lohan.

“I like them young,” Anderson quipped with a laugh, looking directly into the camera.

What followed was a decades-old chuckle from the crowd — and a tidal wave of 2025 outrage.

Now, the internet wants answers. And Anthony Anderson’s response? It’s only fanning the flames.

 THE CLIP THAT SHOOK HOLLYWOOD

The resurfaced interview, originally aired during a press junket for a mid-2000s romantic comedy, shows Anthony Anderson seated beside a young Lindsay Lohan — then just 17 years old — during her rise to Hollywood stardom.

In the clip, a reporter jokes about Lohan’s sudden transition into more mature roles. That’s when Anderson leans in, smirks, and says:

“Well, hey, I’ve always liked them young. You know what I’m sayin’?”

Lohan appears visibly uncomfortable, forcing an awkward laugh while glancing off-camera.

Though the moment was barely noticed in 2003, in today’s post-#MeToo world, it’s hitting much, much differently.

 SOCIAL MEDIA EXPLODES

Within hours of the clip going viral on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), hashtags like:

#AnthonyAndersonExposed
#LindsayLohanDeservedBetter
#HollywoodPredators

…began trending globally.

One viral tweet reads:

“Anthony Anderson just casually admitted to creeping on a teenager — ON CAMERA — and the industry just let it slide??”

Another user posted:

“Go watch Lindsay’s face. She was uncomfortable. She was a kid. This isn’t funny anymore.”

The outrage escalated so rapidly that Anderson’s PR team disabled all comments on his most recent Instagram posts, and fans began calling on streaming platforms to pull reruns of Black-ish and Law & Order.

 ANDERSON RESPONDS — BUT IT DOESN’T HELP

Just 24 hours after the backlash began, Anthony Anderson broke his silence with a brief statement posted on his Instagram Story:

“That clip from 2003 has been taken out of context. I’ve always been respectful to my peers. Humor was different back then — and I’ve grown a lot since those days.”

The response was immediate — and brutal.

“A non-apology wrapped in gaslighting,” one user replied.
“You ‘liked them young’ isn’t a joke, it’s a confession.”

Even some Hollywood insiders weighed in.

Actress Taryn Manning, who’s been outspoken about abuse in the industry, posted:

“This kind of talk was always there. We just didn’t have the power to call it out.”

 LINDSAY LOHAN’S TEAM REACTS

Though Lindsay Lohan herself has remained silent, a close source told Entertainment Scoop that “Lindsay was surprised and hurt” to see the clip resurface.

“She doesn’t remember the exact moment, but she remembers always feeling on edge during interviews like that,” the insider said. “She never felt fully protected as a teen in Hollywood.”

Now, fans are urging Lohan to speak up, with comments flooding her Instagram like:

“You don’t owe us anything, Lindsay — but we’re with you.”
“Hollywood failed you. Again.”

 NOT HIS FIRST TIME IN HOT WATER

This isn’t the first time Anthony Anderson has faced controversy.

Back in 2018, he was investigated (though never charged) over an alleged assault during a private event. At the time, Anderson denied all wrongdoing, and the case was quietly closed — but it left a stain on his reputation.

Now, with this new (or rather, old) clip coming to light, critics are questioning how many moments like this have been swept under the rug.

“This is a pattern,” wrote one popular culture journalist. “It’s time we stopped giving men like this a pass just because they made us laugh on TV.”

 HOLLYWOOD UNDER PRESSURE… AGAIN

In the wake of this backlash, networks and studios are scrambling to assess the damage.

ABC and Hulu, two platforms with Anderson-led content, have yet to release official statements. However, several major advertisers are reportedly reconsidering partnerships tied to Anderson’s projects.

A senior producer at a rival network told The Wrap:

“This kind of viral outrage doesn’t just hurt careers — it puts entire shows in jeopardy. Advertisers don’t want to be anywhere near this.”

Industry analysts believe that Anderson’s upcoming film projects may now be delayed or canceled entirely — especially if Lohan herself speaks out.

 THE BIGGER QUESTION: HOW DID THIS SLIDE FOR 20 YEARS?

As more disturbing clips from early 2000s Hollywood resurface, critics are asking the uncomfortable question:

How much inappropriate behavior did we all laugh off?

A viral TikTok breakdown of Anderson’s 2003 interview ends with a chilling reminder:

“This was normal back then. That’s the problem.”

 WHERE DOES THIS GO NEXT?

As calls for accountability grow louder, one thing is clear: this isn’t over.

Whether Anthony Anderson issues a formal apology, gets dropped by sponsors, or even sees legal repercussions remains to be seen. But one thing is certain:

The days of brushing off “old jokes” as harmless are long gone.

And in 2025, the internet never forgets.