Matt Rife exudes charm and appeal, with his eye-catching high cheekbones being one of his greatest assets that have helped propel him through TikTok and two successful YouTube specials.
Rife’s latest special, Natural Selection, provoked controversy after starting with a joke about domestic violence. He recounted seeing a hostess with black eye at a restaurant and told a story about them both sharing an experience.
He’s the “Justin Bieber of Comedy”
Rife’s success can be traced to his female fan base and the jokes in his new special reflect that. But he’s been criticized for failing to address sexual assault and domestic violence – an issue which raises serious concerns. This controversy raises questions as to whether comedy can still be funny when using regressive humor that hurts vulnerable groups.
Matt Rife, 28, hailing from a small town in Ohio, rose to prominence when one of his videos featuring crowd interaction went viral on TikTok in 2022. These clips sporadically addressed audience members’ dating problems or warning signs in long-term relationships.
Since his Netflix special Natural Selection debuted last November, Rife has kept himself very busy. Besides currently developing a workplace sitcom and inking deals for two more specials for Netflix, he recently had to cancel several shows due to medical emergencies in Indiana and received refunds at some venues for these tickets.
He’s a TikTok sensation
Matt Rife has become increasingly popular, sparking discussions regarding his possible cosmetic surgery procedures. His looks combined with viral crowd work have earned him many female followers; yet he’s never shied away from making comments that target sexism or misogyny.
His debut Netflix special Natural Selection may have been an unexpected hit with audiences, yet has caused controversy as well. For example, its controversial opening joke about domestic violence garnered many women’s attention and led to many negative responses on social media.
Sasha Ramos, an Indiana University junior who participates in Ladies’ Night Comedy, felt more at home on Sunday night after Rife used offensive “crowd work.” One particular joke particularly disturbed Ramos.
He’s a stand-up comedian
Matt Rife is a stand-up comedian who first gained notoriety on TikTok after a video of him performing crowd work went viral. His comedy blends humor with pop culture references. Additionally, he runs a popular podcast and has made multiple television appearances.
Starting off as a guest performer on MTV variety shows and small guest roles on sitcoms, he soon gained notoriety after an audience interaction clip went viral on TikTok. With its mostly female following, Netflix quickly saw opportunity in signing him for their inaugural special Natural Selection in November 2023.
The show was a hit, yet not without controversy. Critics attacked its regressive direction and its jokes about women and domestic violence; many believe his appeal lies solely with his looks, rather than comedy. Rife pushed the boundaries of acceptable comedy in his new special and refused calls to tone it down.
He’s a writer
Rife may be a skilled performer, but his lack of formal writing experience keeps him from ever publishing a book or formalizing his craft – yet he has amassed an extensive following thanks to TikTok and media attention.
Rife’s controversial Netflix special, Natural Selection, has raised questions over whether comedy can still be funny without offending people. His jokes often veered into more offensive territory that targeted women and disabled individuals alike.
Rife’s popularity stems largely from his good looks and has often been associated with being misogynistic. His flirtatious stage presence has drawn in female fans while his crowd work often features tongue-in-cheek relationship advice for his audience, leading many to speculate his career rests more heavily on physical attraction than talent. Rife himself acknowledged this issue during an interview with Variety and pledged to modify his material moving forward.