The release of her memoir, “I Curse You With Joy,” led Tiffany Haddish to reveal several personal details about her life and past. It allowed fans to get to know her better and see the real woman behind the bigger than life persona. During the promotional tour, she discussed her sobriety journey and how she’s getting back on track following a high-profile DUI arrest.
In addition to that arrest, Haddish has also made some controversial comments that have been met with internet backlash. Back in February, as fatalities in the Israel-Gaza war made headlines, the “Girls Trip” actress took a highly publicized trip to Israel, posting videos of her interactions and meetings. It was criticized for being “tone deaf,” as most felt this wasn’t the time for her to do this.
In May, she made waves again when she spoke out against college protestors who were voicing their criticism of the United States’ support of Israel.
“I don’t give a f**k about that shit. I never went to college, why would I care about college?” she said during an appearance at the Netflix Is A Joke festival. “Why should I give a f**k about the college? There’s not genocide at the college. I give a f**k about what’s going on, on the other side of the world, but why would I give a f**k about the college?...This the shit I’m talking about, stupid motherf****rs at the college. Ain’t never worked a goddamn day in your life.”
Though she clarified her comments later, it was seen as another instance of her not being able to read the room.
In addition to these controversies, her on-screen career hasn’t been the big hit it once was. She had a small cameo in “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” but her last two theatrical releases, “Haunted Mansion” and “Back on the Strip,” were flops. To be fair, neither of these films’ poor performances were Haddish’s fault, but that doesn’t change the fact that she hasn’t had a hit in quite some time.
While Haddish seems happy with where she is in her life, if she’s looking to make a career comeback, one way to do that would be to get away from comedy for a bit. This may seem like an odd suggestion, but some of Haddish’s best work has come in dramatic roles.
In 2021’s “The Card Counter,” she gives a surprisingly understated performance opposite Oscar Isaac. And in the gritty, period crime drama “The Kitchen,” she goes against type to play a deadly mob boss.
It would be really interesting to see her take on more complex roles in smaller, character-driven movies and TV series.
Tiffany Haddish spends the majority of her time on the road playing comedy clubs, so there’s always going to be controversy that comes out of those shows. However, if she balances them out with compelling, unexpected acting performances, she could turn things around.