Nikki Glaser faces backlash for sex trafficking joke in SNL monologue
Nikki Glaser Her sex trafficking, rape and child molestation jokes attracted attention saturday night live Debut.
The 41-year-old comedian hosted the NBC sketch comedy series for the first time on Saturday, November 8, with nearly 10 minutes of airtime dedicated to her stand-up monologue. The controversial part of her routine began when Glaser complained about the dangers of going to a nail salon with friends.
“You can go to a nail salon with your friends, but you’re separated at the border. They don’t let you sit together. It’s so antisocial,” Glaser quipped. “You just sit there and watch defeated Bobby Flay mute. You can’t talk to the woman who does your nails because of…slavery? I have no idea! She looks troubled and sad. I have no idea. “
Glaser then discussed the common sex trafficking warnings for women in public bathrooms.
“I guess I’m just paranoid, I guess I’ve been fascinated by slavery lately because every time you go to… a public women’s restroom and sit in a stall, there’s always a poster behind the stall asking if you were trafficked,” she said. “They’re in every stall. They’re in every language in the world. Very little English, it’s like, ‘Would you rather’.”
She continued, “The men’s room doesn’t have these signs. I don’t know what signs you have? You have signs like, ‘Want slaves? Text Traffic to 69-69.'”
this dancing with the stars One alumna noted that she is not the only one concerned about sex trafficking.
“It’s a really big fear for being trafficked, especially for Gen Z girls,” she said. “I have a lot of Gen Z friends that I bought into… and they’re scared. I don’t get it. I’m 41. I never had to worry about this in my 20s. In my 20s, I was just scared of good old-fashioned rape. I didn’t think it was going to be a career. We thought it was just a ‘temp job’ on a frat dorm futon.”
Glaser said she feared she might be trafficked during a recent night out with young friends.
“I was like, ‘What if we’re trafficked?’ They said, ‘You’re fine,'” she claimed. “They’ll say, ‘We’ll be safer if you’re with us because they think you’re our lady.'”
Nikki Glaser on “Saturday Night Live”
Courtesy of YouTube/Courtesy of NBCShe pushed the issue further, mentioning that her Gen Z friends thought she had “still Ghislaine face,” referring to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epsteingirlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. (In June 2022, Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison on sex trafficking charges related to Epstein’s activities. She denied wrongdoing.)
This was the second time Glaser mentioned the Epstein sex trafficking scandal in her monologue, having previously called New York “Epstein’s original island.” (Epstein owned Little St. James, a private island, from 1998 until his suicide in August 2019 at the age of 66. The financier was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges shortly before his death and had previously been convicted in 2008 of soliciting a minor for prostitution.)
In another part of the monologue, Glaser joked that she felt uncomfortable when her 4-year-old nephew asked to take a shower with her.
“My sister said, ‘He can shower with you. It’s OK. He showers with us,'” she recalled. “I thought, ‘That’s great for you, but are you really okay with adults bathing with kids?’ Maybe it would be okay if you came over and supervised it.”
When Glaser’s sister asked why supervision was needed, the comedian declared, “What if I harassed him?” She said, “Would you?!” I was like, ‘Like, no! Never. So disgusting! But if I had to, I would say this [do it]. [Abusers] lie. Don’t trust anyone! I don’t even trust myself. “
Glaser’s raunchy monologue proves divisive saturday night live audience, as many feel it is inappropriate to mock sex trafficking and abuse.
Getty Images (3) No one goes there like Nikki Glaser. While the comedian made headlines in May 2024 for The Tom Brady Ritchie, which aired on Netflix, this certainly isn’t the first time she’s graced some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Glaser is also a […]
“Well Nikki Glaser is lost on me because why are we talking about sexual harassment and pedophilia!???” complained one X user, while another vented: “Nikki Glaser seriously makes me sick SNL tonight. “
“Nikki Glasser managed to make fun of her SNL Disclosure: domestic violence, racism, SA [sexual assault]pedophilia, sex trafficking. Do better,” demanded another viewer.
one saturday night live The fan called Glaser’s joke “disgraceful,” and continued: “Nikki Glaser hosting @nbcsnl tonight. Wow, trying to do humor about rape and sex trafficking…yeah no.”
“Nikki Glaser hosts #snl, jokes about sex trafficking, is completely tone deaf and disrespectful. WTF,” one X user wrote.
Others defended Glaser’s joke, including one saturday night live Fans who feel like they’re really bringing attention to an important issue.
“My takeaway from Nikki Glaser’s roast: She yells at short people. She alerts people to resources if someone is being trafficked. Tells about how easy it is for a family member to ask someone for help,” they argued. “I think she’s funny.”
Another fan expressed hope that Glaser “wins an Emmy for this.”
US Weekly NBC has been contacted for comment.
Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage Nikki’s Glaser hasn’t been idle as she prepares for her Golden Globes hosting gig. “93,” Glaser, 40, told E! News on the red carpet before the awards showed how many times she practiced her monologue. “[Tonight] This will be the 94th time I tell some version of this story. I mean, this is […]
Glaser is about to have another major hosting opportunity as she returns to the Golden Globes for the second consecutive year in January 2026. The comedian became popular with her monologue jokes. Ben Affleck, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Adrien Brody Last year, she was invited back by award show organizers Dick Clark Productions just two months after the 2025 ceremony.
“Hosting the Ballon d’Or this year has been, without a doubt, the most fun of my career,” Glaser announced in March 2025. “I can’t wait to host it again, and this time in a white lotus They would eventually recognize my talent and cast me in Season 4 as a Scandinavian Pilates instructor with a dark past. “
golden globe awards chairman Helen Huney He expressed excitement for Glaser’s return in 2026 due to the comic’s “refreshing spark and fearless wit.”
“Her sharp humor and bold presence set the tone for an unforgettable evening, making the ceremony dynamic and, most importantly, fun,” Hurney said.
saturday night liveThe next new episode will air on NBC on Saturday, November 15 at 11:30 p.m. ET with guest host Glen Powell and musical guests. Olivia Dean.
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
