Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Chelsea Handler Denies Firing Opener Over Palestine Comments
Chelsea Handler and Salma Hindy disagree about why Hindy stopped opening comedy shows for Handler.
Hindy said it happened after she spoke with Handler about Palestinians.
She also said she was removed from three shows and was not reimbursed for travel.
Handler said Hindy quit instead of being fired.
Handler shared messages that she said showed Hindy dropping out and receiving approval for travel reimbursement.
Both comedians described their past working relationship differently after the dispute began.
The argument comes during wider controversy about performers speaking publicly in support of Palestine.
That wider controversy also involved Ed Sheeran and Macklemore.
Chelsea Handler denied firing comedian Salma Hindy over her views on Palestine.
Hindy said she lost her opening position after raising the Palestine-Israel conflict with Handler.
Hindy alleged Handler removed her from three shows and that her team refused travel reimbursement.
Handler said Hindy quit opening for her and that emails from Hindy’s agents supported her account.
The dispute follows Ed Sheeran’s removal of Macklemore from his tour amid controversy over Palestine-related comments.
- Who
- Chelsea Handler and Salma Hindy are disputing the circumstances of Hindy’s departure as Handler’s opening comedian.
- What
- Hindy alleged she was removed after discussing Palestine with Handler; Handler denied firing her and said Hindy quit.
- When
- The claims and response were reported after Hindy posted her video on Wednesday; no exact date was provided.
- Where
- The dispute was aired through social media, including Instagram, and concerned Handler’s comedy tours and shows.
- Why
- The disagreement centers on whether Hindy’s departure was connected to her support for Palestine or resulted from her decision to quit.
Salma Hindy’s Account
Chelsea Handler’s Response
Reason Hindy left the tour
Salma Hindy’s Account
Hindy said she lost her opening position after raising the Palestine-Israel conflict with Handler and alleged that Handler wanted to remove her over the issue.
Chelsea Handler’s Response
Handler said she never fired Hindy over political disagreement and that Hindy quit opening for her.
Canceled shows and reimbursement
Salma Hindy’s Account
Hindy said Handler canceled two shows without notifying her and that Handler’s team refused to reimburse her travel costs.
Chelsea Handler’s Response
Handler shared communications that she said showed Hindy dropping out of a show and showed Handler approving reimbursement for travel.
- People involved
- Chelsea Handler and Salma Hindy
- Hindy’s claim
- She said she lost her opening position after speaking with Handler about Palestine.
- Handler’s response
- Handler said she never fired Hindy and that Hindy quit opening for her.
- Shows mentioned
- Hindy said she was removed from three shows; she also said two shows were later canceled because of severe weather.
- Travel dispute
- Hindy said Handler’s team refused reimbursement, while Handler shared messages showing approval for reimbursement.
- Broader context
- The dispute followed Ed Sheeran’s removal of Macklemore from his tour amid controversy over Palestine-related comments.