Chelsea Handler Disputes Claims of Dropping Comedian Over Palestine Comments

Comedian Chelsea Handler has refuted claims made by former opening act Salma Hindy, who alleged she was removed from several tour dates after attempting to discuss the Israel-Palestine conflict with Handler in October 2023. Hindy shared her account on TikTok, stating that after she texted Handler about the war, she was informed she had been taken off three upcoming tour shows.

Hindy, a Canadian Egyptian comedian, described a previously warm relationship with Handler, including rides on Handler's private jet. However, issues reportedly arose when Hindy found posts by two of Handler's friends to be offensive. According to Hindy, she texted Handler about these posts, and the following day, her opening slots for three shows were canceled, with the reason given being that Handler had already promised those dates to someone else.

Hindy also claimed that after two shows in Canada in December 2023 were canceled last minute due to weather, she incurred flight and hotel costs. She stated that Handler's team agreed to purchase her return ticket to New York but refused to reimburse her for the already incurred expenses. When Hindy's team requested an advance for upcoming shows, Handler allegedly texted that Hindy's agents were being difficult. Hindy's manager, she stated, believed Handler was attempting to remove her from the tour due to the Palestine issue without explicitly saying so.

Hindy said she was inspired to share her story by the ongoing public discussion surrounding Macklemore's 'Free Palestine' declaration and his subsequent removal from Ed Sheeran's tour. She expressed a desire to call out powerful figures who she believes side with Israel.

Handler, however, responded to Hindy's allegations in the comments section of Hindy's TikTok video, stating, "That's actually not what happened." She further commented on Instagram, "I never fired her. Period. Not on this issue." Handler shared screenshots of alleged correspondence, including a text message purportedly from Hindy on January 29, 2024, stating, "Chelsea, something has now come up and I won't be able to do the remaining four shows anymore." Handler also posted screenshots of emails between their teams, including one where Handler allegedly agreed to reimburse Hindy for her expenses.

In response to Handler's screenshots, Hindy clarified that the reimbursement email Handler posted was dated January 2022, while her concerns were about expenses from January 2024. Hindy maintained that she withdrew from the remaining dates after her representatives informed her that reimbursement had been refused and that continuing to push the issue could jeopardize her working relationship with Handler. She reiterated that her manager believed she was being pushed out because of her stance on Palestine, though these were not direct written statements from Handler. Hindy also stated that Handler had privately informed her that she had contacted her lawyers and considered Hindy's account libelous.