A resurfaced video from 2017 showing comedian Jerry Seinfeld refusing a hug from singer Kesha has ignited a fresh wave of criticism and online debate. The clip, which has recently recirculated on social media platforms, captures an awkward red carpet moment that continues to polarise public opinion years after the initial incident.
The Original Awkward Encounter
Back in 2017, at the National Night of Laughter and Song event held at the Kennedy Center, Kesha approached Seinfeld while he was being interviewed. The singer, then 30 years old, extended her arms and asked: "I'm Kesha, I love you so much, can I give you a hug?" Seinfeld, then 63, responded with an awkward "No thanks." Despite Kesha's repeated attempts - she asked two more times, even pleading "Please? A little one" - the comedian maintained his refusal, eventually moving away as she ran off in apparent embarrassment.
In a moment that compounded the awkwardness, Seinfeld admitted to the interviewer afterwards: "I don't know who that was," requiring explanation about the identity of the chart-topping singer. He added with a laugh: "Well I wish her all the best," suggesting her name didn't register with him.
Cardi B's Apparent Revenge
The story took an ironic twist one year later when Seinfeld appeared on the Funny or Die show alongside Cardi B and Zach Galifianakis. After their segment concluded, Cardi B hugged Galifianakis while pointedly ignoring Seinfeld, who had stood up with arms open expecting an embrace. A deflated Seinfeld remarked to Galifianakis: "That was the opposite of what happened with Kesha."
Recently, an X user combined both clips with the caption: "In 2017, Jerry Seinfeld refused to hug Kesha. One year later, Cardi B got revenge for her." This compilation has garnered over four million views, reigniting the controversy and prompting renewed scrutiny of Seinfeld's behaviour.
Divided Public Reaction
The resurfaced footage has sparked intense debate across social media platforms, with opinions sharply divided between critics and defenders of Seinfeld's actions.
Critics' Perspective
Many users have condemned Seinfeld's behaviour as unnecessarily cold and embarrassing for Kesha. One commenter stated: "Jerry embarrassed her in front of the media and Cardi B gave him a taste of his own medicine." Another added: "This is why you should be nice to people," while a third branded his actions as "cold" and a fourth called him a "jackass."
Defenders' Arguments
Conversely, numerous supporters have argued that Seinfeld had every right to decline physical contact. One user questioned: "Whatever happened to no meaning no? Or is that based on selective bias?" Another pointed out: "Kesha interrupted Jerry during an interview and awkwardly was asking to hug. He was caught completely off guard, it was rude and he declined."
Several defenders emphasised the importance of consent, with one stating: "He wasn't rude, he was polite when she said she loved him so much but just didn't want to be touched. That's just consent. As far as I know he has the right to not want to hug her." Another added: "Seinfeld shouldn't be forced to hug anyone if he is uncomfortable. If the roles were reversed, he'd be vilified for harassing Kesha."
Aftermath and Reflections
Following the initial viral spread in 2017, Seinfeld addressed the incident in an interview with Extra, revealing that he and Kesha had spoken about it and "cleared the air." He explained: "She was very nice about it, we laughed about it." When asked if she ever received her hug, Seinfeld laughed and said "No!" before elaborating on his personal boundaries.
"I was right in the middle of an interview, it was a little off," he reflected. "When you get to be my age and you've done a couple things, you have your own reality. In my reality... I don't hug a total stranger. I have to meet someone, say hello. I gotta start somewhere... a hug isn't the first moment of two humans. I never did that."
He jokingly added: "I got a borderline harassment case here. I'm sure I would've liked her, but I need to know who are you [before I hug you]."
Kesha's Response and Healing
One month after the incident, Kesha confessed to Hits1 in Hollywood that the rejection left her feeling "traumatized." She humorously described the moment: "Instantly I was like, 'Oh, f**k me,' somehow I ended up in my very own mini episode of Seinfeld, for like five seconds."
The singer, who revealed she's seen every episode of Seinfeld's hit sitcom "a thousand times," reflected on her love of hugging: "I had a moment to myself where I was like 'Wow, maybe I should stop trying to hug everyone and like, attack them' and then I was like 'f**k that,' no, I like hugging, hugging is magical, hugging is beautiful, it's this beautiful exchange of wonderful soul energy."
Kesha shared a redeeming experience that followed: "The most wonderful thing happened, my idol in life, Bob Dylan, agreed to meet up with me because we were playing the same festival and I was so scared because I had just got hug-denied. I was a little hug-traumatized, so I walked up and I just kind of like stood there and smiled and he just opened his beautiful arms and gave me the most wonderful healing Bob Dylan hug that I've ever dreamed of."
She concluded philosophically: "He's not a hug-y guy, that's fine," demonstrating understanding despite her initial disappointment.
The enduring controversy highlights broader questions about celebrity interactions, personal boundaries, and how viral moments can continue to resonate years after they occur, reflecting evolving societal conversations about consent and respectful interaction in public spaces.
