Hannah Berner has found herself at the center of a social media storm after making what many fans consider an “extremely inappropriate” joke about Taylor Swift’s relationship with NFL star Travis Kelce. The comment, which aired during Netflix’s Torching 2024: A Roast of the Year, has drawn sharp criticism from Swift’s dedicated fanbase, known as Swifties.
In the segment, the Summer House alum, 33, drew controversy not only for her remarks about Swift but also for referencing a recent murder case.
She began by joking about Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old charged with killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, calling him “so hot right now.” Berner then pivoted to a risqué comment about Kelce, saying, “Who knew besides Travis Kelce that you could become so popular with women by shooting loads into a billionaire?”
The joke, which appeared to objectify Swift and trivialize her relationship with Kelce, immediately sparked outrage on social media. One user called the remark “outright vile” for its objectification, while another labeled it “degrading to Taylor.” Others noted the collateral damage to Kelce, with one writing, “Travis Kelce just keeps picking up stray bullets at this point.”
Despite the backlash, Berner also found some defenders who argued that the comment was in line with the nature of a comedy roast. “It’s a roast,” one user pointed out. “What did you expect? G-rated feel-good comedy?” Others admitted to finding the joke “pretty clever,” even if it pushed boundaries.
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A Pattern of Provocative Humor
This isn’t the first time Berner has stirred controversy with her comedy. A different segment from the same Netflix special made headlines last week when Berner referred to actress Blake Lively as a “c–t” amid Lively’s ongoing legal drama with It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni.
Lively had filed a sexual harassment complaint against Baldoni and is pursuing a lawsuit, while Baldoni’s lawyer has stated that he plans to countersue.
Berner attempted to clarify her remarks on social media, writing via Instagram Stories that her set was filmed before Lively’s accusations surfaced. “To be 100 percent clear, I support Blake xoxo,” she stated.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce: A Frequent Comedy Target
Taylor Swift, 35, and Travis Kelce, 35, have been frequent subjects of public commentary and jokes since their relationship became public in the summer of 2023. Their high-profile romance has attracted attention both on and off the field, with Swift often appearing at Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs games.
At the 2024 Golden Globes, host Jo Koy made a lighthearted jab at Swift’s NFL presence, joking, “The big difference between the Golden Globes and the NFL? At the Golden Globes, we have fewer camera shots of Taylor Swift.”
While some jokes, like Koy’s, are received in good humor, Berner’s more provocative approach has reignited debates about the boundaries of comedy, particularly when targeting celebrities with massive fanbases like Swift.
For now, Berner remains unapologetic, but the backlash underscores the risks comedians face when their humor treads into controversial territory.
