The seasoned actress directly addressed her former co-star regarding comments made about her on national television. She disclosed the details of their exchange and what happened after.
Roseanne Barr once opened up about the emotional toll of her abrupt exit from television, revealing the depths of her despair and the personal betrayal she believes contributed to her downfall. She shared how the fallout from her career setback pushed her to a breaking point, describing it as one of the darkest periods of her life.Roseanne Barr in the original run of “Roseanne” in 1992 | Source: Getty Images
She also accused former co-star Sara Gilbert of playing a pivotal role in the controversy that led to her downfall, reigniting tensions between the two. Barr’s candid remarks offer a glimpse into the lingering impact of the scandal and her struggle to move forward.In 2018, she faced backlash for a tweet about Valerie Jarrett, a former aide to Michelle Obama, in which she called her the offspring of the “Muslim Brotherhood & Planet of the Apes.” The controversy abruptly ended her television career, and the ordeal took a toll on Barr.
Even though she apologized and deleted her Twitter account, ABC acted quickly, terminating her and pulling the plug on Barr’s highly successful revival, which had just wrapped its first season as the most-watched scripted primetime series.Roseanne Barr visits FOX News Channel’s “Gutfeld!” on February 14, 2023, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Despite the controversy, ABC moved forward with a rebranded version of the show. “The Conners” replaced “Roseanne,” with Barr’s character written off, and it has remained a key part of the network’s primetime lineup.
Since then, the actress has largely stayed out of the spotlight, aside from a 2019 tour with Andrew Dice Clay. She has also distanced herself from social media, stating in a 2023 interview, “I’m not on Twitter. That’s been a great thing for me, to be off that.”
Feeling Betrayed by Hollywood
Stepping away from the public eye allowed Barr time to process the fallout, though the experience left a lasting impact. “I’ve survived. I’ve come out on the other side of it, finally,” she said, calling the ordeal a “witch-burning” that she found terrifying.
While reflecting, the TV star described it as a deeply painful period, “I would die many times. I guess you would call it the dark night of the soul. I felt like the devil himself was coming against me to try to tear me apart, to punish me for believing in God.Roseanne Barr at the “Roseanne” press conference on March 23, 2018, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Barr asserted that she was never given the chance to make amends, stating that she felt deeply disliked. She believed the animosity stemmed from her talent and willingness to express her opinions. Despite “Roseanne” being the network’s top show, she claimed they preferred to cancel it rather than continue its success.
The Utah native recalled being caught off guard by how events unfolded, particularly the response from network executives. During the initial call, she insisted she had believed Jarrett was white and offered to explain the misunderstanding on her show, but claimed they refused, dismissing her apology as insincere.Roseanne Barr spotted on January 8, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Comparing her situation to other controversies in Hollywood, she pointed out that while figures like Dave Chappelle and Louis C.K. faced backlash, they were not completely shut out.
“I’m the only person who’s lost everything, whose life’s work was stolen, stolen by people who I thought loved me,” she said. The silence from the industry was particularly painful, though she expressed gratitude for comedian Mo’Nique, whom she called a “brave, close, dear friend” for publicly standing by her.