WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Entertainer Marie Osmond stood by fellow Mormon Mitt Romney Thursday saying the former Massachusetts governor turned presidential hopeful was right in calling Rev. Al Sharpton's comments about their religion "bigoted."

During a debate on religion and politics at the New York Public Library with atheist author Christopher Hitchens, Sharpton said of the GOP presidential hopeful, "As for the one Mormon running for office, those that really believe in God will defeat him anyway, so don't worry about that. That's a temporary situation."

Romney responded by calling Sharpton's comments "bigoted" and "most unfortunate." On CNN's Larry King Live last night, Osmond said "I think it was' right for Romney to describe Sharpton's comments in that way. And Osmond sought to inject humor into the race for 2008 by saying she has the perfect candidate: singer Gladys Knight.

"[T]his is where I stand," Osmond told King. "We want a woman president. You know we have a guy running who is a Mormon. And we want an African-American president. So I say let's vote for Gladys Knight. She encompasses all of it."

Knight created the Saints Unified Voices, a choir composed exclusively of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

CNN's Larry King Live airs 9-10 p.m. ET Monday through Sunday.