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Comedian Matt Rife Under Fire For Further Comments On Fitness

Comedian Matt Rife, while extremely popular on social media, is no stranger to controversy. In a recent interview with Men’s Health, the comedian stated that “no one wants to laugh at pretty people.” The comments were not well received, and spawned numerous satirical impressions and commentary on women in comedy.

Now, briefly after the initial interview clip was released, several TikTok creators are revisiting more of Rife’s comments in his video interview with the magazine. Men’s Health has long offered physical and mental health advice from experts and celebrities, but one comment is not sitting right with some viewers.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 07: Comedian/actor Matt Rife co-hosts the 2023 Adult Video News Awards at Resorts World Las Vegas on January 07, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Rife has long been praised for his physique, and in the video, advised new gym goers to focus on building chest muscle. The comedian said that “building a chest is so important. You want to have the chest of a man, not a 12 year old girl.”

While many fitness aficionados understood Rife’s point on a technical level, many felt that insulting pre-pubescent girls in the process was uncalled for. Model and digital creator Big Bro Bear (@barrettpalll) spoke on the comments via TikTok. 

The creator accused the comedian of casual misogyny towards young women, and body shaming other men. The creator pointed out that patriarchal humor harms men and women. This argument was brought to the forefront of the cultural conversation with director Greta Gerwig‘s “Barbie”, which dropped this summer. The film examines similar themes, and has since sparked conversations of the same subject matter across social media.

A Comedian Rife With Controversy

Matt Rife built a loyal fan base through sharing video clips of his live stand up comedy set on TikTok. His jokes about relationships, his childhood, and crowd work rapidly built a community of young women attending his shows. The comedian additionally delivered on orders for video roasts on Cameo, which fans shared near Christmas of 2022.

In recent months, the comedian appeared as a guest on the “Stiff Socks” podcast, here he discussed his type in women. He went into minute physical detail, and insulted female anatomy. Rife, who was attracting a widespread female fanbase, now continues to reckon with being called out for alleged misogyny since this podcast appearance.

https://www.tiktok.com/@pri.mina/video/7203734361307614469?_r=1&_t=8fJ7S9nOzAQ

The podcasters defended Rife’s comments, claiming that it was simply “guys being guys.” Their response was widely criticized on social media. The “locker room talk” excuse came under critical examination in the public eye in mid 2010s, after former U.S. President Donald Trump used the same phrase after he was caught making vulgar comments about women backstage with former television host Billy Bush ahead of the election.

Rife is yet to comment on Men’s Healthgate, and will continue his stand up tour in California next month.