Hannah Berner is apologizing for a red carpet moment with Megan Thee Stallion that didn’t sit well with fans of the rapper.
The comedian and “Summer House” alumna took to her Instagram Story on Thursday to address criticism she received for her nearly three-minute interview with the “Savage” and “Hot Girl Summer” musician at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Sunday. Fans online criticized Berner because they thought the interaction with Megan on the red carpet showed racist microaggressions.
“Interviewing Megan Thee Stallion was a dream of mine. 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,” Berner wrote.
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.”
USA TODAY has reached out to Megan’s rep for comment.
What happened during Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo’s interview with Megan Thee Stallion?
Berner was among a group of hosts tasked with interviewing stars at one of the premier Oscars afterparties over the weekend. Halfway through the two-hour livestream, she and “Summer House” co-star – and Giggly Squad podcast co-host – Paige DeSorbo were joined by Megan on the red carpet.
The interview started strong, with Berner complimenting Megan on her recent Amazon Prime documentary and saying she felt “so inspired” by the film.
“I start my day with you and only you,” Giggly Squad podcast co-host Paige DeSorbo interjected as Berner asked a question about what Megan does for a confidence boost.
Berner added on, “Your music has literally made me want — when I want to fight someone, I listen to your music.” She continued, saying, “When people are talking (expletive), I go, ‘Turn on Megan Thee Stallion!'”
Megan seemingly attempted to pivot to a more positive note without missing a beat. She said, “You want to throw that fighting (expletive) out the window and you want to get cute and be a bad (expletive).”
Megan took the questions in stride, but social media users took issue with the way the influencers spoke over Megan, as well as Berner’s characterization of the rapper’s music as violent.
As TyLisa Johnson wrote for Poynter, “Lowkey ‘angry Black woman’ references in 2025? Please.”
Johnson added, “I’ve been a fan of Megan Thee Stallion since around 2016, when she was a young college student freestyling in cars. She has never made me want to fight. She makes me want to dance, be more liberated, stand up for myself and own my womanhood.”
One TikTok user, commenting on Vanity Fair’s one-minute clip from the interaction, wrote, “The racism is LOUD!”
Several others disagreed with Berner’s interpretation of Megan’s musical themes, with one user commenting, “Meg was like ‘fight people? Girl, I make Bad Bih music. Do you see these nails? We don’t fight.'”
Though the Megan The Stallion moment went viral, Berner and DeSorbo also spoke with other celebrities including Amy Poehler, Hailey Bieber and Jesse Eisenberg on the red carpet.
