(CNN) After being slammed for appearing to mock those with cleft lips and palates, Wendy Williams has apologized.

The daytime talk show host ran afoul of some parents and activists after recent comments she made regarding a scar on actor Joaquin Phoenix's lip.

"When he shaves off his mustache, he's got a hairline fracture," Williams said. "He's got one of those, what do you call it, cleft lip, cleft palate."

Williams pulled her top lip up over her teeth to demonstrate the look of a cleft.