Kathy Griffin supports Jimmy Kimmel after suspension
Kathy Griffin has made her support loud and clear amid Jimmy Kimmel’s recent struggles.
The 64-year-old comedian opened up about her friend Kimmel’s suspension from his ABC late-night show in September and how it affected her mentally.
The pause came after the outpouring of backlash he received over comments he made about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which left Griffin reflecting on her own tumultuous past.
“It was really triggering for me because Jimmy was the only one who wanted me on his show for all the years I was canceled,” says Griffin. revealed.
The statement reflects the storm of controversy that erupted after the infamous 2017 photo shoot in which she held President Donald Trump’s severed head.
Griffin added, “I know what it’s like when the bigwigs and bigwigs say, ‘She’s too dangerous.'”
Kimmel’s show has since returned, but Griffin was the first to reach out.
In her new YouTube comedy special: My life on the PTSD listshe reflected on the turmoil she faced following the scandal, during which she faced tough personal battles, including pill addiction, a suicide attempt and a stage 1 diagnosis of lung cancer.
She said, “I talk about heavy stuff, but I got so much feedback from my audience saying, ‘I’m glad you went there.'”
Griffin noted, “I’ve had a barrage of difficulties since the Trump photo, but one thing after another taught me, okay, you may not see the comedy when you’re living it, but at some point it will be funny. There’s comedy in everything.”
While reminiscing about her early career, Griffin shared her admiration for Joan Rivers’ “outrageous” comedy, but clarified, “I never intended to be a lightning rod.”
That all changed dramatically after the Trump controversy, which resulted in investigations by the Department of Justice.
“So many of my friends dumped me,” she admitted.
The fallout sent Griffin into a deep depression, which led to her addiction problems.
However, she found solace and strength through a 12-step program, celebrating her five years of sobriety last June.
“A lot of my newer friends since the Trump scandal are from the 12-step program,” she admitted.
In 2021, Griffin faced another rocky road with a diagnosis of stage 1 lung cancer. After surgery to remove half of her left lung, she faced complications from an intubation tube, which left her with a higher-pitched voice.
“I felt like I got my life back overnight,” she explained of her successful vocal cord surgery, thanks to her friend Sia’s recommendation.
After recovering, Griffin’s personal life took a turn when they filed for divorce from her husband Randy Bick after just three years together.
“I was up for the count,” she thought, revealing her struggles with modern dating.
“Welcome to dating over 60,” she joked, recounting a disturbing comment from one of her dates.
As Griffin prepares for her new comedy tour, New face, new tour– a nod to her recent facelift – she is ready to take her revamped act on the road, promising that nothing is off limits.
“I change my act every night, and I start with local material,” she explained, referring to her fearless approach.
Despite her controversial past, Griffin said, “I think people think, ‘Okay, the photo was offensive, but it’s been eight years and she hasn’t been ruined by it.'”
She expressed her appreciation for the respect she receives from fans, saying, “I get a lot of people in my comments saying that I rose from the ashes, and that’s the best compliment I can get. I’m proud that I’m still here.”
