Kathy Griffin has publicly apologized for the way she mocked Anna Nicole Smith during her career. In a new YouTube video, the 64-year-old comedian revisited her long relationship with the late model. She admitted she was “vicious” when she built Smith into her stand-up routines. Griffin recalled slurring her words on stage to impersonate the troubled star. She recognized that the jokes came at a time when comedy thrived on cruelty. Smith, who died in 2007 from an overdose, had been widely targeted by both comedians and the media. Griffin now says her behavior was part of a darker era that left scars on women in the spotlight.
Revisiting the Act
Griffin admitted she regularly worked Smith into her Bravo specials. She recounted memories from filming on Smith’s E! reality show, The Anna Nicole Show. One story placed Griffin at Smith’s home for a Christmas special with Margaret Cho, Rip Taylor, and Chyna. She explained how the experience showed Smith’s unpredictable nature when drugs were involved. Griffin said her affection for Smith was genuine even as she made fun of her. She described not knowing from moment to moment whether Smith would be laughing or angry at her jokes. That uncertainty became part of her act but also part of her guilt.
Griffin described Smith as “one of the greatest beauties ever of any generation.” She stressed that Smith’s struggles were no secret to anyone in the industry. Addiction shaped the model’s public image and eventual death. Griffin admitted she leaned on that pain as material for comedy. Looking back, she recognized that her choices contributed to Smith’s humiliation. The jokes did not come from hate, but they still inflicted harm. Griffin said she deeply regrets her role in amplifying Smith’s suffering. Her apology was direct and without excuses.
The comedian also acknowledged that the 1990s and 2000s were brutal for women. She called the period “vicious,” citing examples like wet t-shirt contests as proof of widespread exploitation. Griffin placed her own behavior in that cultural context. She explained that comedians often thrived on targeting women in vulnerable positions. Anna Nicole Smith, already burdened by addiction, became an easy punchline. Griffin now believes that the entertainment industry as a whole failed Smith. Her reflections painted a picture of a time when cruelty was rewarded. The apology carried weight because it was grounded in that reality.
A Lasting Memory
Griffin shared the final moment she ever had with Smith. It happened backstage at an awards show in a darkened area. Smith spotted her and called out with a simple “Hi, Kathy.” Griffin said she returned the greeting with “Hi, honey.” That brief exchange became the last memory she carried of her friend. The moment mattered to Griffin because there was no anger in Smith’s voice. For someone so often parodied, Smith gave her kindness in return. Griffin now treasures that memory as a gift.
She explained that the last encounter gave her closure. Unlike other celebrities who confronted her, Smith did not show hostility. Griffin compared it to a much different experience with Whitney Houston, who once angrily scolded her. With Smith, the ending was softer and more forgiving. Griffin said it eased the weight of her past cruelty. It reminded her that the woman she once mocked still greeted her warmly. That kindness, she said, stays with her even now. The memory reinforced her love for Smith beyond the stage.
Griffin closed her reflection by saying she “really loved” Anna Nicole Smith. She admitted she had mocked her, but she insisted her affection was always real. She recognized that Smith was “so abused by the business.” The model’s troubles were magnified by an industry that profited off her struggles. Griffin emphasized that her apology was not just about comedy but about acknowledging Smith’s humanity. She wanted her fans to know that the jokes no longer sit comfortably with her. Her words were a clear attempt to honor Smith’s memory. Griffin’s final message was one of love, not laughter.
Griffin’s Own Battles
In a 2024 interview, Griffin opened up about her own experiences with public backlash. She spoke about the fallout from her infamous photo with a prop resembling Donald Trump’s severed head. That moment nearly ended her career and left her facing suicidal thoughts. Griffin explained how the pressure of the scandal crushed her spirit. She now uses those dark experiences in her stand-up act. Audiences hear her describe the attempt on her own life. She insists she is not mocking it but instead helping people laugh through the pain.
Griffin said she gives her audience a “big tee-up” before sharing those details. She wants them to know the story is heavy but will be told with care. Her approach combines honesty with dark humor. She frames her survival as proof that even in the darkest times, comedy can exist. By speaking openly, she connects with fans who have endured their own struggles. Griffin noted that she can now laugh about the absurdity of what she endured. It is her way of turning trauma into performance.
Her openness about mental health has given her story new power. Griffin acknowledged the risk of exposing her vulnerability. She admitted that it could have silenced her forever, but instead she chose to speak. Her survival became part of her act, reshaping her identity as a comedian. Audiences see both the pain and the resilience in her performance. By combining tragedy with humor, she has created a new stage for herself. The story is not just about Anna Nicole Smith, but also about Griffin’s own reckoning. It is about facing cruelty, surviving it, and learning to own the truth.