‘C**t’: Netflix slammed over Blake Lively joke as comedian forced to apologise

Netflix is in hot water after Blake Lively was labelled a “c**t” in its latest comedy special days after her shocking lawsuit went public.

Netflix is facing backlash after a new comedy special included a joke labelling actress Blake Lively a “c**t”.

Lively hit headlines around the world last week when she filed a lawsuit against her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni, alleging that he sexually harassed her on set and launched a smear campaign against her.

During Netflix‘s Torching 2024: A Roast of the Year, which premiered Friday, comedian Hannah Berner was seen poking fun at the former Gossip Girl actress.

US actress Blake Lively became the target of an ill-timed joke on Netflix’s latest comedy special. Photo: Etienne LAURENT / AFP)

Hannah Berner has been forced to address the controversy. Picture: Netflix.

During Berner’s part of the roast, she told the audience: “The word ‘c**t’ was trending this year. I don’t think Blake Lively was that bad.”

Viewers rushed to social media, with many condemning Netflix and Berner for allowing the joke to air.

“Of course it’s Hannah Berner, the least funny comedian in the world,” wrote one on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Why wouldn’t Netflix remove this from the special after the truth came out?” questioned another.

A third remarked: “Women need to stop harassing other women!!”

“I can’t believe they still chose to air it,” slammed another.

The special was filmed on December 17, which was before news of Lively’s lawsuit had been made public.

Justin Baldoni was dropped by his management team following the lawsuit being made public. Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Vital Voices Global Partnership.

Berner took to Instagram to insist that she supports Lively following the airing of the special, saying: “My joke in the Netflix roast was filmed before news of the lawsuit.”

She added: “To be 100 percent clear, I support Blake xoxo.”

Lively alleges that Baldoni not only subjected her to sexual harassment on set, but also orchestrated a deliberate online smear campaign to tarnish her reputation.

Adding a voice to the growing chorus of support for Blake Lively is actress Amber Heard.

Heard, who weathered her own highly publicised legal battle with ex-husband Johnny Depp, has spoken out in solidarity.

The Aquaman actress emphasised the destructive power of social media in such situations in an interview with NBC News.

“Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on’,” Heard said.

“I saw this first-hand and up close. It’s as horrifying as it is destructive.”

Lively’s lawsuit has garnered support from various corners, including her Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants co-stars and It Ends With Us author Colleen Hoover.