Hannah Berner Makes Jokes About Blake Lively and the Controversial C-Word in Netflix Roast
Hannah Berner Ser Baffo/Netflix
UPDATE — 12/27/24 at 2:22 p.m. ET:
Hannah Berner has addressed the criticism stemming from her humorous remark about Blake Lively during her Netflix special, *Torching 2024: A Roast of the Year*.
“The joke I made in the Netflix roast was recorded prior to the lawsuit news,” Berner clarified through her Instagram Story on December 27. “To clarify, I fully support Blake xoxo.”
Original story:
Summer House alum Hannah Berner made a quip regarding the ongoing controversy involving Blake Lively in Netflix’s *Torching 2024: A Roast of the Year.*
“This year saw the word c— trending,” Berner, 33, began her stand-up routine in the special that premiered on December 27. “I don’t believe Blake Lively is that terrible.”
Earlier in the year, Lively, 37, portrayed protagonist Lily Bloom in *It Ends With Us*, based on the bestselling novel by Colleen Hoover. The film was directed by Justin Baldoni, who portrayed Lily’s abusive partner, Ryle.
As Lively and Baldoni promoted *It Ends With Us*, rumors of a dispute surfaced. An insider informed Us Weekly that there were “two factions” on set.
Sony Pictures Entertainment Blake Lively’s legal action against her *It Ends With Us* co-star and director Justin Baldoni has drawn attention from various cast members. In December 2024, Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a character assassination against her. The complaint, obtained by Us Weekly, alleges that Baldoni created a “hostile work environment.”
“This creative conflict set off a negative atmosphere behind the scenes, leading to a breakdown in communication between them,” said the insider to Us at the time.
Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively in ‘It Ends with Us’. Courtesy of Sony Pictures
During this period, social media buzzed with speculation regarding the dispute, with numerous users criticizing Lively. It seems likely that Berner’s comment was centered around the rumors rather than the lawsuit Lively initiated earlier this month, which claimed that Baldoni caused her “severe emotional distress” on set while creating a “hostile work environment.” This legal action was taken on December 20, and the filming date for the roast on December 27 remains unclear. The Gossip Girl alum also charged him with sexual harassment and alleged that Baldoni instigated a “social manipulation” effort aimed at damaging Lively’s career and reputation.
Baldoni, for his part, firmly rejected the allegations in a statement through his attorney, Bryan Freedman. Freedman characterized the claims as “absolutely false, inflammatory, and deliberately sensational,” asserting that the motion to court was filed to “rehabilitate her negative reputation” and to “revisit a narrative” surrounding the filmmaking process.
Months after reports of a rift between *It Ends With Us* co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, she filed a lawsuit against him for sexual harassment. This legal action, filed on December 20 and later covered by Us Weekly, revealed accusations against Baldoni of instigating a […]
Freedman further alleged that Blake made “multiple demands and threats” while the team was filming *It Ends With Us*, such as threatening not to attend the set, threatening to avoid promoting the film, which ultimately hindered its release.
Blake Lively Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
Lively, who served as an executive producer on the film, subsequently responded to Freedman’s assertions.
“I hope that my legal action sheds light on these malicious retaliatory methods that target individuals who come forward about wrongdoings and assists in protecting others who may find themselves in similar situations,” Lively expressed in a statement.
Lively has garnered support from family members, including her sister Robyn and husband Bart Johnson, as well as fellow cast members from *It Ends With Us*. Author Hoover, 45, and actors Brandon Sklenar and Jenny Slate have all publicly defended Lively.
“As Blake Lively’s co-star and friend, I want to voice my support as she steps forward against those alleged to have plotted and executed an attack on her reputation,” Slate, 42, declared on Today on December 23. “Blake is a leader, a loyal friend, and a dependable emotional support for me and countless others. “What has come to light regarding this attack on Blake is profoundly dark, disturbing, and incredibly threatening. I commend my friend, admire her courage, and stand beside her.”
