Five years after her career imploded over a single tweet, the controversial comedian is breaking her silence with startling revelations about the 2018 scandal that made her a cautionary tale.
The Tweet That Ended Everything
On May 29, 2018, Barr compared Obama aide Valerie Jarrett to an “ape” in a since-deleted tweet. Within hours:
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ABC canceled the “Roseanne” revival after just one season
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Her talent agency dropped her after 30 years
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Co-stars like Sara Gilbert publicly condemned her
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The incident became shorthand for “career suicide”
Barr’s Unfiltered Defense Today
In her first in-depth interview about the fallout, Barr claims:
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The tweet was “a stupid joke about Iran, not race” (Jarrett is Iranian-American)
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She was under the influence of Ambien at the time
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“They wanted me gone anyway because of my politics”
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The network paid her $33 million severance to avoid lawsuits
The Industry Blacklist
Since the scandal:
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No major network will work with her
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She moved to a Hebrew-speaking commune in Israel
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Makes occasional podcast appearances
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Supports herself through stand-up comedy tours
“Nobody in Hollywood returns my calls,” she admits. “But I sleep fine knowing I didn’t bend the knee.”
The Unexpected Silver Lining
Barr says exile freed her:
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Wrote a bestselling memoir “Loud & Proud”
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Launched her own streaming platform
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Found new fans among anti-cancel culture audiences
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“I say whatever I want now with zero f-cks given”
Could a Comeback Happen?
Industry insiders say no:
“Her name still triggers instant backlash,” says one network exec. “That tweet permanently defined her legacy.”
Yet Barr remains defiant: “They’ll all beg me back when they need ratings