Hannah Berner recently shed light on a controversial joke from a Netflix roast, which surprisingly coincided with Blake Lively’s legal complaint against Justin Baldoni.
The end-of-year Netflix special, ‘Torching 2024: A Roast of the Year,’ aired on December 27, but Hannah Berner’s humorous remark about Blake Lively quickly stirred up online reactions. Berner’s joke seemed poorly timed as it surfaced mere days after Lively accused the ‘It Ends With Us’ director Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment in a complaint filed with California authorities.
During her performance, Berner mentioned, ‘The word c–t was trending this year,’ humorously adding, ‘I don’t think Blake Lively was that bad.’ However, it didn’t take long for scrutiny to follow, prompting Berner to address the situation. She clarified through her Instagram Story, stating, ‘My joke in the Netflix roast was filmed before news of the lawsuit. To be 100 percent clear, I support Blake xoxo.’
Blake Lively’s allegations accused Baldoni and others at Wayfarer Studios and The Agency Group PR of misconduct on the film set, which allegedly led to a retaliatory smear campaign against her following her complaints. Baldoni’s attorney has refuted these claims, describing them as ‘completely false.’
The release of ‘It Ends With Us’ in August was already clouded by rumors about on-set tensions. Post the complaint, Lively has received widespread public support from various celebrities, such as Jenny Slate, Colleen Hoover, and Blake’s sister, Robyn Lively. Many have voiced their backing for Lively, praising her as an honest and supportive individual.
Jenny Slate, who starred alongside Lively, emphasized her support in a statement, ‘As Blake Lively’s castmate and friend, I voice my support as she takes action against those reported to have planned and carried out an attack on her reputation.’ Meanwhile, author Colleen Hoover publicly thanked Lively for her integrity.
Moreover, prominent figures like Amy Schumer and Gwyneth Paltrow have also shown their support, with Amy expressing her belief in Lively on Instagram. The continued backing from Blake’s peers highlights her steadfast character amidst challenging accusations.
The unfolding drama includes Blake’s sister, Robyn, urging the public to read a detailed New York Times article about the smear campaign against her sibling. These events have led to significant professional repercussions, including talent agency WME dropping Baldoni as a client.
As the controversy continues, Jenny Slate and others involved in the project have reiterated their support for Lively, highlighting the unsettling nature of the allegations. The broader entertainment community remains keenly attentive to the ongoing developments surrounding the case.
Hannah Berner’s timely clarification aimed to distance her comedic performance from unexpected real-life events, underscoring her support for Blake Lively amid the actress’s legal struggles.
