Skip to content

Sarah Michelle Gellar Honors Michelle Trachtenberg

Search AI Powered
Human content, AI powered search.

Latest Stories

Puppeteer's Non-Apology For Offensive 'Sista Girl' Puppet Act Sparks Even More Backlash

screenshots of Jerry Halliday and his "Sista Girl" puppet
@CraftBeardMI/Twitter

Queer puppeteer Jerry Halliday sparked controversy with his act last week at Chicago leather bar Touché.

Koh Mochizuki
By Koh MochizukiNov 11, 2022
Koh Mochizuki

Koh Mochizuki is a Los Angeles based actor whose work has been spotted anywhere from Broadway stages to Saturday Night Live.

He received his B.A. in English literature and is fluent in Japanese.

In addition to being a neophyte photographer, he is a huge Disney aficionado and is determined to conquer all Disney parks in the world to publish a photographic chronicle one day. Mickey goals.

Instagram: kohster Twitter: @kohster1 Flickr: nyckmo

See Full Bio

A White ventriloquist's non-apology for a performance many considered unfunny, racist and transphobic did not go over very well.

Jerry Halliday is a queer puppeteer who was hired to perform at the Chicago gay leather bar Touché for its 45th anniversary as part of Mr. International Rubber’s scheduled events.

His act featured a puppet that caricaturized a Black woman named "Sista Girl" who made jokes about loving watermelon, being on welfare and having five kids.

Halliday voiced the character by poorly imitating African-American Vernacular English (AAVE).

After causing outrage for his racist, misogynoir performance, Halliday declared he was retiring the racist part of his act and issued a non-apology. Halliday did not address his transphobia.

On Sunday, he told the online newsletter, Block Club Chicago:

“I have permanently retired the Black puppet, just like the Rolling Stones recently retired their song ‘Brown Sugar’ when they received similar criticism."
“I continue with my other puppets full speed ahead.”

He further claimed Sista Girl was part of his act for two decades and never received complaints until now.

Halliday then cried victim and skirted around taking responsibility for his choices.

"I have been doing my show for 20 years for thousands of people of all races to standing ovations and rave reviews in the press, then suddenly a handful of people at Touché attack me while the majority there were enjoying my show."
"The one-sided attacks on my act have been greatly exaggerated and with many total fabrications."



Some social media users called Halliday's act “minstrelsy and blackface.”

He frequently used expletives and told the audience members who were talking during the awkward performance to "shut the f'k up" and to leave for the bathroom to get hemorrhoids.

At one point, a White audience member shouted:

“Everyone in the crowd thinks this is a little weird for 2022.”

You can watch the confrontation in the video shared by audience member Philip Smith, here.

WARNING: racism, NSFW language.

Touché ventriloquist performanceyoutu.be

Disappointingly, when Halliday asked the crowd if they wanted the man who voiced his concern to "shut up" and clap in response some of the audience members obliged.

White, cisgender gay men have long been accused of racism, misogyny and transphobia and this performance didn't help dispute that reputation.



Some audience members got up and left before the act was over–including a bartender who allegedly left his post, mid-shift–as the puppet continued making jokes about race and skin color.

Twitter user crumb dumpster shared his thoughts as well as footage from the controversial show.





WARNING: NSFW language, racism


Touché bar managers issued a statement apologizing for not having vetted the performer before booking him and addressing both the racism and transphobia Halliday incorporated into another part of his act.

They wrote:

"We apologize for not reacting and stopping the show. Racism and transphobia are wrong."
"We need to do better."
"We have and will continue to work hard to make this space more welcoming to all people regardless of their racial, ethnic, sexual or gender identities."

@longostino/Twitter

@longostino/Twitter

The bar's leaders also hosted a town hall at the Leather Archives and Museum on Wednesday night, which allowed members of the community to express their concerns.

Latest News

Pope Leo
Trending

White Sox Fan Pope Leo's Trolling Response To Someone Shouting 'Go Cubs!' Has The Internet Cackling

screenshot of CNN interview of Tim Sheehy by Kaitlan Collins
Donald Trump

MAGA Senator Stunned Into Silence After CNN Host Brutally Fact-Checks Him On Trump Funding Cuts

Tim Walz; Karoline Leavitt
Political News

Tim Walz Offers Perfect Clapback After Karoline Leavitt Makes Bonkers Claim About Democratic Voters

Screenshot from u/Reality_Rose/Reddit
Trending

Thrifter Floored After Finding Poignant Notes From Original Owner Left In Vintage Purses

More from News

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

AOC Has Mic Drop Response To MAGA Republicans Who Try To Mock 'Democratic Priorities'

New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez issued a powerful rebuke against President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement, pointing out why mocking things like affordable housing and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as "Democrat priorities" ultimately hurts Republicans.

Ocasio-Cortez, speaking during a CNN town hall alongside Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, accused Republicans of refusing to work to end the government shutdown, stressing that the country’s health care system could collapse if Republicans refuse to meet Democrats’ demands in negotiations.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from New Berlin Public Library's 'trust fall' skit
@newberlinlibrary/Instagram

Wisconsin Public Library Has Internet Cackling With Unexpectedly Hilarious 'Trust Fall' Video

When we think of the library, we think of books awaiting us on the shelves—but the New Berlin Public Library in Wisconsin is here to remind us that public libraries contain so much more.

This library in particular contains a "Library of Things," in which the public can access otherwise expensive items for free, like boardgames, learning resources, and even Halloween costumes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dave Taylor
Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

GOP Rep. Blames Coordinated 'Ruse' After Swastika Image Is Seen Displayed In His Office

Ohio Republican Representative Dave Taylor demanded an investigation after a swastika image was found on display in his Washington, D.C., office, and blamed it on a "targeted" "ruse."

Politico obtained a photo from a virtual meeting showing a distorted image of the American flag—its red and white lines altered into the shape of a swastika— pinned to what appears to be a cubicle wall behind Angelo Elia, a staffer for Taylor. Beside it hung a pocket Constitution and a congressional calendar. Elia’s involvement in the incident, if any, remains unclear.

Keep ReadingShow less
A kitchen counter with appliances all over it
sink beside window
Photo by Arun Clarke on Unsplash

Everyday Items People Didn't Realize Were Super Expensive Until They Had To Buy Them

As children, we dream of becoming adults.

Living our own lives in our own homes, no longer under the rules and regulations of our parents.

Keep ReadingShow less
deceased family dog named Chop
KFOX14/CBS4

Popular Account 'We Rate Dogs' Unloads On Border Patrol For Killing Family's Beloved Dog During Search

As the internet evolved, certain social media accounts became known for providing wholesome, feel good content, like I Can Has Cheezburger?, The Dodo, and We Rate Dogs. Unsurprisingly, all three focus primarily on animals, offering amusing or heartfelt stories, videos, and memes as an escape from the trials and tribulations of daily life.

But the folks at We Rate Dogs recently took a departure from their usual content.

Keep ReadingShow less