Comedian Nicole Byer recently experienced a distressing encounter with racist hecklers during her stand-up show in Wisconsin, shedding light on the persistent issue of racism in entertainment and beyond. The incident, which occurred during a live performance, has sparked widespread discussion and calls for greater awareness and action against such behaviour.
Byer, known for her roles in Nailed It! and Girl Code, recently appeared on Dinner’s on Me podcast by Jesse Tyler Ferguson and recounted the unsettling experience. She described how a group of audience members hurled racist remarks at her, disrupting the show and creating a hostile environment. The comedian went for her stand-up show in Appleton, Wisconsin, where the crowd was “unruly” and when her black feature was on stage, a man from the crowd commented “‘Smile, we can’t see you.’” Nicole added, “I was like, ‘What the fuck?’”
After the show, the comedian refused to meet and greet the people. Though there were good ones in the crowd, the majority of them were “garbage.” Nicole called the people, “Bad people, bad vibes.’ I couldn’t believe that man said that.”
The venue where the incident took place also issued a statement condemning the behaviour of the hecklers and promising to take steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The racist incident just “blew my [Nicole Byer’s] mind.” The stand-up comedian learnt Appleton’s history later. It is a “sundown town,” which means that a city that enforces anti-black segregation despite the laws being overturned. Byer decided not to return to the town after the “scary” incident.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the work that still needs to be done to combat racism and create inclusive spaces. Nicole Byer’s resilience and willingness to speak out have inspired many to join the fight against hate. Byer continues to advocate for a better, more inclusive world, urging everyone to stand up against racism and work towards a future where such incidents are a thing of the past.
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