Rosie O'Donnell Shares Reason Why She Skipped 'The View's' Emotional Tribute To Barbara Walters

Rosie O'Donnell broke her silence after she missed the emotional tribute for Barbara Walters on "The View."

O'Donnell was noticeably absent at "The View's" tribute to Barbara Walters Tuesday. Her rep previously said that it was due to a scheduling conflict. However, she cleared the air and explained the real reason on Instagram.

"Yeah, they invited me, but I wasn't able to make it," she said in the video. "And I didn't want to be in a big group of people."

She added, "I don't know, I was worried I would get upset, and I didn't want to do that. So, there you go."

Her post received several responses, with some expressing support for her.

"Everyone mourns in their own way. I don't blame you for not going. The dead feel us, they know how we feel in our hearts. xo," one commented. A second user added, "People grieve, memorialize, etc. in their own way. Continue to do and take of you!"

"I'm glad you were invited...I think your post was a beautiful loving tribute to Barbara. No obligation for you to be there, we all can only do what we are able to do," another said.

"I'm glad you were invited. I was worried that you weren't," a fourth person wrote.

"You were missed, and don't ever feel apologetic for your opinions," a different netizen said.

In another video, she spoke about how Walters' passing made her feel.

"Very sad to hear about Barbara Walter's passing," O'Donnell said. "Although, 93, man, who wouldn't take that? What a long and eventful legendary life she had."

She recounted how Walters spoke to prominent leaders before contemplating how lucky she was to have the chance to work with her. She also recalled their good times together.

"I was lucky enough to be in her orbit for a good many years, and we saw a lot of Broadway shows together, and whenever we go backstage, I'd like to help her, you know, over the steps backstage, and she would always smack my hand and told me to leave her alone. She knew what she was doing."

"May she rest in peace and may everyone remembers what barriers she broke down for women. She really did, she was the first and will always be remembered," she concluded.

Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar and the hosts of "The View" paid tribute to Walters Tuesday, calling her "the woman who changed the way the world watches daytime TV."

"It's her vision, her passion, her show, and today, 'The View' remembers Barbara Walters," the intro concluded.