Tig Notaro on Friendship Fallout Over RFK Jr.

Comedian Tig Notaro has spoken about the end of her close friendship with Cheryl Hines, which stemmed from Hines' marriage to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Notaro explained that she initially struggled with denial but eventually realized the friendship was over, a realization that brought sadness and confusion.

Notaro decided to step away from their podcast, "Tig and Cheryl: True Story," as RFK Jr. gained political traction and promoted ideals counter to Notaro's own. She found it increasingly difficult to participate in the podcast while his momentum grew and faced public interruptions during her stand-up shows. Despite this, Notaro continued to express love and support to Hines, only to realize over time that Hines no longer initiated contact.

This realization prompted Notaro to "shake herself out of denial" and accept the situation. She expressed disappointment when public narratives framed the separation as her abandoning Hines, when in fact, she felt she was trying to remain a friend. Notaro emphasized her desire to return to prioritizing people and work that bring her joy, acknowledging the difficulty of letting go of a once cherished connection.