Nikki Glaser has finally come clean about her “mean” joke about Benny Blanco at the Golden Globe Awards. The 40-year-old comedian and host of the January ceremony made a jab at the producer’s relationship with Selena Gomez during her opening monologue, but looking back, she admits it might’ve been a bit harsh.
The joke went down like this: “Selena Gomez is here with Benny Blanco, her new fiancé, and Benny Blanco is here because of the genie who granted him that wish.” Ouch, right? While the crowd likely chuckled, Nikki said she’s since realized it might’ve been a little too much.
At the TIME100 Summit on April 23, Nikki confessed, “Looking back, I was like, that was pretty mean.” She clarified that the joke came from a place of fun, not malice, and said, “I never looked at them and actually thought that. I think he’s really cool.” But she admits the line did have the potential to hurt, especially with the whole “not attractive enough for her” vibe it might’ve implied.
But here’s the twist: Nikki didn’t just go rogue and deliver a random roast. She actually asked Benny for permission before making the joke. She texted him directly, saying, “Hey, you don’t know me, but I’m hosting this thing. Can I say that you’re there because a genie granted you a wish?” Benny laughed it off and said, “That’s hilarious; let me run it by Selena.” Sure enough, Selena approved, and Nikki got the green light to go ahead with the joke.
Nikki explained that she sought advice from veteran host Jimmy Kimmel, who told her, “If you’re worried about a joke and how it’s going to go over, just ask them.” So, in a way, Nikki was just doing her due diligence before cracking a joke that could’ve potentially landed her in hot water.
Known for her work on celebrity roast shows, Nikki has often been branded “mean” for her sharp sense of humor. However, she defended herself, saying, “I think I get a reputation of being mean because of the roast, but I’m hired to be mean for those.” When it comes to the Golden Globes, though, she wasn’t out to ruin anyone’s night.
In the end, it looks like Nikki Glaser’s “mean” joke about Benny Blanco was all in good fun, permission granted and all.
