Hannah Berner, a comedian known for her work on the reality show "Summer House," has recently found herself at the center of controversy following her interview with Megan Thee Stallion at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 2, 2025. During the lively exchange, Berner made headlines when she suggested the rapper's music makes her "want to fight," which online critics quickly labeled as microaggression and racist stereotyping.
Co-hosting the interview with fellow personality Paige DeSorbo, Berner seemed to begin on the right note, complimenting Megan for empowering women through her music. "You give so much confidence to women everywhere. What do you do when you’re not feeling confident?" Berner asked, eliciting emotional responses from Megan, who replied, "I just look in the mirror and I’ll be like, ‘Damn, you are the girl, right? Yeah, you are the girl. So go outside and act like you the girl.'”
But amid the praise, Berner's comment soon took a turn for the worse. "Your music has literally made me, like, when I want to fight someone, I listen to your music," she stated, referencing her reaction to Megan's tracks. This remark propelled the conversation onto social media, where fans swiftly condemned Berner for linking Megan to violence—a stereotype often associated with Black women.
Online users expressed outrage over the microaggressive nature of Berner's statement, asserting, "Megan doesn't have a single song about fighting," and claiming the entire interview felt unprofessional. One Instagram user wrote, "Please hire real interviewers who know how to talk to Black women as PEOPLE and not characters," indicating the overall sentiment against Berner's comments.
Megan responded gracefully, trying to redirect the narrative about her music back to its positive messages. "Cause you want to throw those fighting thoughts out the window, and get cute, and be a bad b***h," she said, emphasizing her commitment to self-love rather than aggression.
The commentary surrounding Berner's remarks brought attention to the larger issues of race and representation, especially considering Megan's role as not just a performer but as a cultural icon promoting confidence and empowerment. Observers noted how Berner's comments perpetuate harmful stereotypes about the "angry Black woman" trope.
Continuing to draw criticism, multiple social media users commented on how Berner's statement misrepresented Megan's artistry. One Twitter user snapshotted the fallout, writing, "Meg handled the microaggression so well," highlighting the demeanor with which the rapper addressed the comment. Another user pointed out, "Talking over her, unable to keep their composure, calling her violent when she never raps about violence," contrasting Berner's narrative with Megan's much-needed message of positivity and self-empowerment.
The backlash intensified as videos of the interview circulated. Comments mounted, asserting Berner's actions were "egregious" and calling for authenticity and professionalism from influencers. Some users demanded, "Bring back real journalism!"
Yet, amid this storm, some fans defended how Megan handled the interview. Supporters pointed out her ability to shift the focus of the conversation, helping counter the potentially harmful narrative Berner created. Comments included, "Meg makes Bad Bih music. Do you see these nails? We don’t fight," which humorously highlighted Megan's influence as nurturing self-admiration over aggression.
Hannah Berner has appeared on "Summer House" from seasons three to five, and her recent foray onto the red carpet with Megan Thee Stallion marks the intersection of influencer culture and traditional media. Critics have called for more qualified interviewers to navigate such sensitive conversations, ensuring they honor the artists and their messages.
Despite the criticism, Berner's exchange with Megan reflects broader issues surrounding representation, perception, and the responsibility of those within media spaces. While the comedic world often embraces spontaneity, the delicate balance of engaging respectfully with artists remains ever-prudent.
With the way the interview unfolded, it presents not just the question of microaggressions but also how icons like Megan Thee Stallion can redefine conversations around empowerment, confidence, and self-identity, encouraging broader societal shifts.
Moving forward, it’ll be interesting to see how personal statements like Berner's expose underlying issues about race and representation within the entertainment industry, and whether they provoke meaningful change. Notably, as the culture continues to evolve, influencers and mainstream media must work collaboratively to promote nuanced, respectful dialogues.