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Matt Rife, a comedian known for his bold and often controversial humor, experienced a surge in popularity in 2022 when a clip of one of his sets went viral on TikTok. His knack for crowd work and edgy commentary captured the attention of millions, particularly with a quip about a woman’s breakup with an Emergency Room worker, which resonated widely. Rife’s rise to fame seemed meteoric, especially after years of struggling in the comedy scene, as he candidly shared on Jimmy Fallon’s late-night talk show.
However, his newfound success came with its own set of challenges. When Rife debuted his Netflix special, “Matt Rife: Natural Section,” in November 2023, it was met with considerable backlash. His decision to open the special with a joke about domestic violence sparked outrage on social media, with many criticizing the insensitivity of the content. Despite attempts to defend his material as intended for a broad audience, Rife’s response only fueled further controversy, particularly with a provocative Instagram post that exacerbated tensions.
The backlash against Rife was further compounded by the resurfacing of old tweets from his past, showcasing instances of offensive language and insensitive jokes. Although Rife defended himself, citing his youth at the time of the tweets, the public scrutiny intensified, calling into question his character and judgment.
Additionally, Rife faced criticism for his remarks about women, both in his comedy routines and in podcast appearances. His crude discussions about female anatomy and derogatory comments about women’s bodies sparked outrage and condemnation from audiences and advocacy groups alike.
Furthermore, Rife’s personal life became fodder for tabloid headlines, particularly his relationship with actor Kate Beckinsale and subsequent comments about her. His public statements about their relationship and Beckinsale’s subsequent romance with comedian Pete Davidson drew criticism for their insensitivity and disrespect.
Despite attempts to navigate the fallout from his controversial remarks and actions, Rife continued to face scrutiny and criticism from the public and media outlets. The culmination of these incidents has shaped a complex narrative around Rife, highlighting the challenges of navigating fame and public scrutiny in the digital age.