Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Celebs
Ilana Frost
People are not happy with Summer House alum x Giggly Squad host Hannah Berner after seeing her interview Megan Thee Stallion at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party. During their chat, the comedian made a comment to the rapper that many are interpreting as racist. People are slamming Hannah in the comments section of the Vanity Fair interview clip on TikTok, and they’re also making their own videos, sharing opinions on the controversial interview. So, why is Hannah Berner being accused of a microaggression against Megan Thee Stallion? Let’s break down the interview comment the backlash she’s receiving, and her response.
At the March 2 event, Hannah and her Giggly Squad cohost, Paige DeSorbo, interviewed a bunch of celebs on the carpet, including Megan. Hannah seemed particularly excited about speaking to Megan and the interaction started out on a positive note. “You give so much confidence to women everywhere,” she told the “Mamushi” rapper, adding that she was gonna cry. (It did seem like she was really getting emotional.)
But from there, the convo got awkward. Hannah told Megan: “When I want to fight someone, I listen to your music.” And yeah, this is the comment that sparked the microaggression allegations. Megan is famously anti-violence and primarily makes music about self-confidence and her mental health struggles. Megan swiftly tried to turn it around, replying, “You want to throw that fighting shit out the window, you want to get cute and be a bad bitch.”
Hannah didn’t seem to hear her or notice the attempted redirection. She continued, “When people are talking shit, I go, ‘Turn on Megan Thee Stallion!'” Once again, Megan tried to bring it back to self-confidence. She chimed in, “”Body-ody-ody. I look beautiful, I look so great.” It’s a tough watch.
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Basically everyone in the comments section disapproved of the way Hannah spoke to Megan. “Talking over her, unable to keep their composure, calling her violent when she never raps about violence (& is actually a victim of violence), hmmm,” one person wrote. (In 2020, Megan was a victim of gun violence when rapper Tory Lanez shot her in the foot.) Another commenter called out the microaggression of “stereotyping the ‘angry black woman’ trope.'” They added, “WHAT IS THE HIRING PROCESS WTF.”
In a viral reaction video to the clip, creator @urdelulubestie shared, “When I listen to Megan Thee Stallion, I’m listening because I’m like okay, I need that confidence booster. I need to realize who the fuck I am … Yeah I’m a little depressed, but I’m a depressed baddie.” She said that Hannah “just didn’t know what to say to [Megan] and it shows.”
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On March 6, Hannah shared an Instagram Story statement, apologizing for her word choice. “Interviewing Megan Thee Stallion was a dream of mine,” she wrote. “I love her music and it’s my go to whenever I need to boost my confidence before a show. Looking back at the interview, I wish I used any other word except “fight” to describe how her songs impact me.”
She continued, “It was a careless choice of words, and though there was no ill intent, I recognize and acknowledge that what I said has a deeper meaning and I am so sorry to Megan. I appreciate everyone who brought this to my attention.”