Matt Rife is reflecting on how his rising fame has taken a toll on his mental health.
The stand-up comedian has been embroiled in controversy since his 2023 Netflix special sparked backlash due to a joke about domestic violence. He responded to the criticisms by issuing a fake “apology” that mocked people with disabilities, prompting a wave of even more disapproval.
In a new interview with Us Weekly on the heels of his new Netflix special, “Matt Rife: Lucid – A Crowd Work Special,” Rife got candid about how the attention he’s garnered has escalated his anxiety and depression.
“It’s gotten so much worse,” the actor said in the story published Tuesday. “There’s no crash course on how to be famous.”
Rife landed his first breakout role on the sketch comedy show “Wild ’n Out,” but rose to fame on social media in 2021 after his self-producing comedy specials went viral.
“Nobody tells you that you have to take on new battles [and] get used to people telling you things about yourself that only you thought about yourself,” he explained. “You have to learn to deflect so much negativity that’s thrown at you when so many people don’t understand the negativity you live within your own head.”
“But at the same time, certain anxieties and certain depressions are also lifted by the success,” Rife added. “There’s a little less worry about ‘What if?’”
Much like his last comedy special “Natural Selection,” Rife’s new set, “Lucid,” has left social media users divided.
The rookie comedian further exasperated social media users late last year after TikToker Bunny Hedaya accused Rife of telling her 6-year-old son that she buys his presents with her profits from OnlyFans.
The bizarre spat came after Hedaya’s son reacted to Rife poking fun at people who are interested in astrology.
“Matt Rife has decided to start beef with my 6-year-old child online,” Hedaya claimed in her TikTok video, slamming the comedian for his conduct.
In response, Rife allegedly replied to Hedaya’s son on Instagram in a reportedly since-deleted comment.
“Jupiter also has [a] ring. OH!... and Santa [Claus] isn’t real,” Rife wrote. “Your mom buys you presents with the money she makes on OnlyFans. Good luck.”
Social media users slammed Rife over the ridiculous beef at the time.
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