Megyn Kelly began her show Wednesday with an emotional panel about “blackface” in which she repeatedly expressed remorse for having suggested on Tuesday that it might be OK to wear it on Halloween.

On set, guests Roland Martin and Amy Holmes — who are both African American — lectured Kelly to her face about why it was a problem.

“I’ll be honest when I saw the headlines I cringed,” said Holmes. “I had this sense that there was a bit of a blind spot.”

Also Read: NAACP Tells Megyn Kelly to 'Check Herself': 'Blackface Is Always Racist and Never OK'

“The Halloween costume controversy, to me the line is not that difficult to draw,” she continued. “There is a difference between dressing up as a character with clothing — and racial mockery.”

Martin used his own personal experience with racism that he said was broadly reflective of black people in the United States.

"There are lines, and there's history, and there's pain. And when we acknowledge that, then we can learn and grow from it." @rolandsmartin pic.twitter.com/dQt3VhZsgB

— Megyn Kelly TODAY (@MegynTODAY) October 24, 2018

“We are in total denial about how deeply embedded race is in the DNA of America,” said Martin. “There are lines. There’s history. There’s pain. As long as Americans live in denial and pretend this stuff does not matter we will continue to have this problem.”

Also Read: Megyn Kelly 'Sorry' for Defending Wearing Blackface on Halloween

Kelly, whose voice frequently quavered with emotion, said she was “grateful” for the conversation.

“I can play Diana Ross,” Holmes concluded. “I’m sorry Megyn, you can’t.”

Kelly opened her Wednesday show repeating an apology she circulated to staff yesterday.

“I want to begin with two words, I’m sorry,” she said. “The country feels so divided and I have no wish to add to that pain and offense. I believe this is a time for more understanding, more love, more sensitivity and honor. Thank you for listening and for helping me listen too.”

Also Read: Megyn Kelly Defends Wearing 'Blackface' on Halloween: 'When I Was a Kid That Was OK' (Video)

"I want to begin with two words, I'm sorry..The country feels so divided and I have no wish to add to that pain and offense. I believe this is a time for more understanding, more love, more sensitivity and honor..Thank you for listening and for helping me listen too." Megyn Kelly pic.twitter.com/6hHrvZLNvK

— Megyn Kelly TODAY (@MegynTODAY) October 24, 2018

Her original remarks about blackface, which included a contentious claim that it wasn’t a problem on Halloween when she was growing up, faced swift and broad criticism — and not just from industry colleagues. In a statement, the NAACP also offered their condemnation.

“During the slave trade, some people thought it was OK to treat human beings as property and less than animals,” Malik Russell, a spokesperson for the civil rights organization, told TheWrap on Tuesday. “Maybe in Megyn Kelly’s world, offensive acts and racism are OK, but I assure you for individuals of color, blackface is always racist and never OK.”

10 Stars Whose Blackface Blunders Backfired, From Ted Danson to Kylie Jenner (Photos)

Don't even think of mimicking these celebrities.
Joni Mitchell

The singer posed in blackface on the cover of her album "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter" in 1977, and later went on to justify it by saying, "I have experienced being a black guy."
Ted Danson

The "Cheers" star appeared at a N.Y. Friars Club Roast in 1993 with then-girlfriend Whoopi Goldberg wearing blackface makeup to perform an offensive N-word-filled comedy routine.
Tom Hanks

The Oscar-winning actor came under fire in 2012 when video surfaced of a 2004 school fundraiser featuring Hanks and another man wearing blackface and stereotypical African clothing. Hanks later condemned the bit as "horribly offensive."
Tyra Banks

The host of "America's Next Top Model" took heat, as did her show, for a photo shoot in 2009 in which competing models were made to look "biracial." Styling techniques included the darkening of contestants' skin.
Paula Deen

Following the epicure's ouster from the Food Network in the wake of her infamous N-word controversy, Deen posted a photo on Twitter from her show's 2011 Halloween episode featuring her son, Bobby, dressed as Ricky Ricardo, complete with brownface makeup.
Beyoncé

The diva took heat for a 2011 L'Officiel Paris cover with an "African Queen" theme for which the pop star's skin was darkened.
Julianne Hough

The singer/dancer/actress drew criticism over a 2013 Halloween costume for which she donned dark makeup to masquerade as Uzo Aduba's "Orange Is the New Black" character Crazy Eyes.
Shane Dawson

The YouTuber known for his outrageous characters in 2014 was forced to apologize for the use of blackface in some of his videos, including a parody of talk show host Wendy Williams.
Kylie Jenner

Fans of the reality star jumped all over a photo she posted to her Instagram account from a 2015 shoot, outraged that her skin appeared to be darkened. "This is a black light and neon lights people lets all calm down," Jenner responded.
Luann de Lesseps

The former countess and "Real Housewives of New York" star apologized for her 2017 Halloween costume as Diana Ross -- even though she insisted that she didn't actually do blackface. "I had bronzer on that I wear normally like the rest of my skin," she later told Andy Cohen on "Watch What Happens Live." "So I didn’t add anything to or would ever, ever dream of doing a blackface. Ever."