Comedian Chelsea Handler believes she’s being discriminated against because of how vocal she’s been about having three abortions.
The 47-year-old TV host made the assertions during a guest-hosting gig on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” this week, which she’s been doing since Kimmel is on vacation, the New York Post reported.
“Do you know what men on the internet had to say about that?” Handler said during the opening monologue, referencing abortion. “I don’t because I don’t give a f***.”
.@ChelseaHandler’s high school won’t induct her into their alumni Hall of Fame… #Hall4Handler pic.twitter.com/36YLhO4l4S
— Jimmy Kimmel Live (@JimmyKimmelLive) June 29, 2022
Next, she accused her former high school of intentionally excluding her for discussing abortion, including her personal experiences, with fans.
“But my old high school does,” the comedian continued. “I recently found out that my high school in New Jersey, Livingston High School, is refusing to induct me into their alumni Hall of Fame.”
“Jason Alexander and Chris Christie made it, but not me,” she said of allegedly being passed over for the honor. “Apparently, the school is upset about how much I talk about my abortions, so I decided to start a grassroots campaign.”
Handler encouraged fans to troll her high school in an effort to punish them for the slight.
“You should donate to Planned Parenthood, and then march, and then vote, but after you’re done with that, go online and tweet a message to the school district for my alma mater @LivSchools,” she said. “Let them know how you feel about this gross injustice and use the hashtag #Hall4Handler. Have fun with it. Make me proud.”
She concluded by saying, “Livingston High, the hall is in your court.”
The school replied by denying all allegations, the publication reported.
“On behalf of the current Livingston Public Schools administrative team, Ms. Handler was not refused for the LEF Hall of Fame,” Livingston Public Schools Communications and Community Outreach Coordinator Michelle Bent told the Post.
“Following an email exchange with her representatives in February/March 2022 about how the district could honor Ms. Handler and extended conversations with the Livingston Education Foundation (LEF), the district told her representatives that she would be considered by the LEF the next time candidates are considered.”
“It has been several years since the LEF has nominated and inducted new individuals into the Livingston High School Hall of Fame,” Bent wrote. “The LEF has expressed that it is looking forward to bringing the Hall of Fame event back soon. At that time, it can formally nominate and induct new LHS alumni.”