Megyn Kelly, moved, says she's learned from her reactions defend blackface.

"I want to start with two words: I'm sorry," she said at the top of Wednesday morning's show. "You may have heard that yesterday we had a conversation about the politically correct and Halloween costumes (…) .I defended the idea (of blackface), saying that as long as it was respectful and was part of a Halloween costume, it seemed ok, I was wrong and I'm sorry. "

Kelly said "I've never been a PC person," but she learned from the turmoil caused by her statements that "it's not acceptable for (blackface) to be part of No matter what costume, Halloween or other. "

The host of "Today" seemed moved, her voice breaking as she responded to widespread criticism she had received after the episode of her Tuesday show.

"The past year has been so painful for many people of color," she continued. "The country feels so divided and I do not wish to add to this pain and offense, I believe that the moment is for understanding, for love, for sensitivity and for honor, and I wish to be a part of it, thank you for listening, and for helping me to listen as well. "

Following her statement, Kelly led Roland Martin with a panel of "Roland Martin Unfiltered" about Blackface's story. Amy Holmes, of PBS's In Principle, also joined Kelly for the conversation.

At the end of the panel, Kelly insisted, "For my part, I listened and learned, and I'm grateful to you both for having this conversation here on this set today. have contacted via Twitter, I've heard too. "

Kelly had initially provoked a wave of reaction when, at a round table on Tuesday's show, she had claimed that Blackface was "OK when I was a kid if you dressed as a character." ".

During the roundtable, she defended Luann de Lesseps, star of "Real Housewives of New York", accused of having darkened her skin while she disguised herself as Diana Ross for Halloween year-round last.

"And people said it was racist, and I do not know!" she said about de Lesseps. "I thought, who does not like Diana Ross? She wants to look like Diana Ross for a day, and I do not know how it became racist on Halloween."

Among the critics of Kelly's comments are Al Roker and Craig Melvin, of the show "Today", who sentenced her earlier Wednesday in the hour before "Megyn Kelly Today".

"The fact is, although she apologized to the NBC staff, she has to apologize more to the people of color in the country," Roker said. "It's a story that goes back to the juggling shows of the 1830s, which was about deprecating and denigrating a race, which was not good."

Melvin added, "She said something stupid, she said something indefensible … I guess it was an opportunity for us to learn a little more on Blackface – but I think a lot of people knew about Blackface. "

More: Megyn Kelly apologizes for the blackface comments on "Today," torn apart by Don Lemon

In response to the controversy that followed his comments, Kelly sent an internal memo to her "friends and teammates" on Tuesday, which USA TODAY obtained.

"One of the benefits of my job is that I have the chance to express and hear a lot of opinions," wrote Kelly. "It's one of those days when listening to other points from my point of view, including from friends and colleagues, leads me to rethink my own points of view. "

"The iconic Diana Ross came as an example," she continued. "For me, I thought, why would it be controversial that a person disguised as Diana Ross would make herself look like this extraordinary woman as a way to honor and respect her?"

"I realize now that such behavior is really wrong and I'm sorry," she wrote. "The history of blackface in our culture is abominable, the wounds are too deep."

Read or share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2018/10/24/megyn-kelly-addresses-blackface-controversy-today-show-criticism-backlash/1748355002/