Comedian Kathy Griffin, who created a huge controversy when she staged a photo holding the decapitated head of President Donald Trump, told USA Today recently that in the wake of that scandal, she resorted to literally “begging” for acting roles.
‘I straight up was just begging’
“I straight up was just begging for five lines on something that would be seen by people that had nothing to do with Trump — nothing that was controversial,” Griffin said in her an interview with USA Today published Tuesday.
Greg Berlanti, executive producer of the show “You” on Netflix, gave her a break when he let her have a a 90-second cameo.
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Damn right I begged. I was raised by Maggie and John Griffin. You don't ask, you don't get. I will always have my hustle, no matter what. No apologies! https://t.co/rE3JynaVkK
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) January 14, 2020
Griffin said after the photo, she messaged producers on social media websites looking for work.
“I’m certainly learning how to do more things, as they say ‘in house,’ and (it’s) one of the things that I became proactive about after the Trump scandal because it’s kind of like Hollywood feels like I have something that they’re going to catch … People don’t want to get Kathy Griffin-ed,” the comedian said.
Many Distanced Themselves from Griffin
Many people tried to distance themselves from Griffin after the pubic backlash.
Business Insider reported in May 2017 that Squatty Potty, the children’s toilet training company, made clear that Griffin was not their spokesperson.
“Kathy Griffin is not, nor ever has been Squatty Potty’s spokesperson,” the company said in a statement, according to the news organization. “She was hired to make one commercial. Squatty Potty has pulled said commercial as well as other promotional and marketing content featuring Kathy Griffin.”
Of course, Griffin also famously lost her New Year’s Eve gig on CNN with Anderson Cooper. Cooper has continued to host New Years without Griffin.
The Trumps Respond: ‘Kathy Griffin should be ashamed of herself’
Both President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump issued statements condemning Griffin’s stunt right after it occurred.
“Kathy Griffin should be ashamed of herself. My children, especially my 11 year old son, Barron, are having a hard time with this. Sick,” the president said in a tweet.
Kathy Griffin should be ashamed of herself. My children, especially my 11 year old son, Barron, are having a hard time with this. Sick!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2017
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“As a mother, a wife, and a human being, that photo is very disturbing,” Melania Trump said in a statement at the time. “When you consider some of the atrocities happening in the world today, a photo opportunity like this is simply wrong and makes you wonder about the mental health of the person who did it.
Griffin eventually apologized, calling the photo “disturbing.”
“I sincerely apologize,” said Griffin in a video statement. “I’m just now seeing the reaction of these images. I’m a comic, I crossed the line. I move the line then I cross it. I went way too far…the image is too disturbing, I understand how it offends people.”
“It wasn’t funny. I get it,” Griffin said.