The recent release of comic Matt Rife’s Netflix special, “Natural Selection,” has sparked controversy and resurfaced past incidents, particularly one involving actress Zendaya back in 2015. In the special, Rife incorporates a problematic joke about domestic violence, leading to backlash and renewed scrutiny of his behavior.
During the Netflix special, Rife makes jokes about Baltimore, using derogatory terms like “ratchet” and making insensitive remarks about a hostess with a “black eye.” The routine takes an offensive turn as he mocks a woman’s appearance and suggests she should stay in the kitchen. The misguided humor extends to a segment about “crystal girls,” with Rife making inappropriate jokes about protection crystals.
The unsettling nature of these jokes is amplified by Rife’s previous success on TikTok, where he built a predominantly female fanbase. Despite this, Rife seems to distance himself from his female audience, claiming in an interview that his Netflix special is “way more for guys.” This disconnect, combined with the offensive content, has drawn criticism for promoting misogyny and pandering to a male audience.
Rife’s response to the backlash, including a nonchalant posting of an “official apology” that redirected to a page selling “special needs helmets,” further fueled public ire. The use of ableism in an attempt to appear edgy only intensified the negative reactions.
As the online response unfolded, many users began connecting the dots, realizing that Rife is the same comic who exhibited inappropriate behavior toward Zendaya on the MTV show Wild ‘N Out in 2015. In an episode, Rife attempted to make Zendaya laugh to score a point for his team. Making unwarranted comments about her mixed race, he grabbed her face and demanded her number. Zendaya’s teammates came to her defense, expressing discomfort with Rife’s actions.
Despite the discomfort evident in the moment, neither Rife nor Zendaya publicly addressed the incident at the time. However, as the clip resurfaced online, fans expressed shock and horror, with some regretting their previous support for Rife.
“Had I known Matt Rife was the same guy on Wild ‘N Out that touched Zendaya’s face, I would’ve instantly hated him,” one person tweeted. Another wrote, “Totally forgot Matt Rife was on Wild ‘N Out and made the weird comments to Zendaya. It’s all starting to make sense now.”
The combination of Rife’s insensitive Netflix content, dismissive response to backlash, and the rediscovery of his past behavior towards Zendaya has ignited a renewed conversation about accountability and the impact of language and actions in the entertainment industry. As social media continues to amplify these discussions, the fallout from Rife’s recent choices may have long-lasting effects on his reputation within the public eye.
