Hannah Berner; Blake Lively. Photo:Dia Dipasupil/Getty; Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan/Getty
Comedian Hannah Berner addressed the timing of her joke about Blake Lively, explaining that it was filmed before Lively’s legal battle with director Justin Baldoni made headlines. The joke aired on Netflix’s Torching 2024: A Roast of the Year, which premiered on December 27, 2024.
During the roast, Berner made a quick punchline referencing Lively, saying, “The word ‘c–t’ was trending this year. I don’t think Blake Lively was that bad.” However, the joke sparked reactions due to the ongoing legal conflict between Lively and Baldoni.
Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni on December 20, accusing him of orchestrating a smear campaign against her after she reported alleged misconduct on the set of It Ends With Us. The legal documents included text messages that suggested Baldoni and his PR team allegedly targeted Lively’s public image.
Berner took to her Instagram Stories on December 27 to clarify the situation. She wrote, “My joke in the Netflix roast was filmed before news of the [complaint]. To be 100 percent clear, I support Blake xoxo.” The roast special was recorded on December 17 at The Bellwether in Los Angeles, days before the legal news broke.
Justin Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, has denied the allegations, calling them “false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt” his client. He further defended the PR team’s actions, stating they operated as any crisis management firm would under such circumstances.
Blake Lively, in a statement to The New York Times on December 21, said, “I hope my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.”
Jenny Slate, a co-star in It Ends With Us, publicly supported Lively, calling the allegations against Baldoni “terribly dark, disturbing, and wholly threatening.” She praised Lively for her bravery in taking a stand.
Berner’s clarification aims to distance her comedic performance from the unfolding legal drama, emphasizing her support for Lively amidst the controversy.
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