Rebel Wilson sparks outrage with JK Rowling transgender jibe at 2022 BAFTAs

Rebel Wilson sparks outrage with JK Rowling transgender jibe at 2022 BAFTAs
takyi baftas DIGI
GB News Reporter

By GB News Reporter


Published: 14/03/2022

- 08:01

The actress also took a swipe at Vladimir Putin and members of the Royal Family

Rebel Wilson sparked outrage at last night's BAFTAs as she took her opportunity as award's host to lash out at JK Rowling.

As the Australian actress opened the awards ceremony, she addressed the fact she was looking different and that she'd had a “transformation” after losing weight.


Referring to the controversy over the Harry Potter author’s views on transgender people, she quipped: “I hope JK Rowling still approves.”

Many viewers went to social media to respond to the comments.

Clare Inges criticised the comedian for taking aim at Rowling on Twitter and said: "Crude, boring and predictable jokes. And of course she had to get ANOTHER dig in at JK Rowling. This is going to be a long night! I’m not sure I’ll bother."

Jennifer Chapel likewise said that the jibe was a "cheap dig" and "utterly unfunny".

Others supported the comments. "Good on her," Fiona Bosanquet said on Twitter.

Ms Wilson went on to savage many other famous faces including Vladimir Putin and members of the Royal Family, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and Prince Andrew.

When introducing the Outstanding British Film category, she brought up Harry and Meghan’s 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview which was broadcast a year after the couple announced they were stepping down.

On stage at the Royal Albert Hall she joked: “From drama to fantasy, Harry and Meghan's Oprah interview had it all.

"Unfortunately that's not nominated in this category but some incredible films are."

Ms Wilson also took a jab at the Duke of York's interview where he discussed his allegations of sexual assault against Virginia Roberts. He used being at Pizza Express as one of his alibis.

“So, I was going to do a musical number as host, it was about Prince Andrew though um…” she started.

“Listen guys, no it’s not what you think, it was on roller-skates, it’s called Pizza Express,” she quipped.

“But don’t worry I’m not going to do it, I’m not going to sing, I’m saving my voice for the sequel to Cats.”

Wilson also took a swipe at Putin, saying that there were two sign-language interpreters on stage, one British and one American.

She then put up her middle finger and said: “Luckily, though, in all sign languages, this is the gesture for Putin.”

Ms Wilson said she was surprised at being asked to host this year’s awards as she feared being “cancelled” after throwing one too many punches at the Royal Family at the awards show in 2020.

But her previous stints received such a hug response from viewers, many called her to host the entire show.

Big winners at this year’s BAFTAs included The Power of the Dog which took home the biggest award of the evening for Best Film.

Will Smith won Best Leading Actor for his role as King Richard and Sir Kenneth Branagh's film Belfast won the award for Outstanding British Film.

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