SNL’s Michael Che claims vile Simone Biles jokes were result of Instagram hack

Jokes referencing convicted sex offender Larry Nassar appeared in comedian’s Instagram story

Saturday Night Live star Michael Che has claimed that vile jokes about gymnast Simone Biles published to his Instagram were the result of a hack.

On Thursday night (29 July), several jokes about Biles appeared on Che’s Instagram Story, all of them making fun of her departure from the Tokyo Olympics.

“Man, I wanna make fun of Simone Biles,” the message on Che’s Story read. “I got like three mins of Simone Biles jokes in my head. I’m going to the [comedy club The Comedy Cellar] tonight to say them into a microphone. As the dorky kids say, I’m choosing violence.”

Further messages included screenshots of jokes submitted by Che’s followers, with Che appearing to “rate” the jokes.

One of the jokes submitted referenced the convicted sex offender and former US Gymnastics physician Larry Nassar, who Biles accused in 2018 of sexually assaulting her. Nassar is currently serving a life prison sentence for seven counts of sexual assault against minors.

“Larry Nassar understands Simone Biles better than anyone,” the joke read. “He too had to quit doing what he loved at the pinnacle of his career because of mounting pressure.”

Che appeared to respond to the Nassar joke with the comment: “Goddamn, that’s rough. Absolutely tasteless. 9/10.”

Comedian Michael Che and gymnast Simone Biles

(Matt Winkelmeyer/Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

The jokes and Che’s captions were subsequently deleted from his Instagram Story, with the comedian writing a further note claiming that he was not responsible for the previous messages and had been hacked.

“I got hacked today,” Che wrote. “Can’t believe they got me. Yall kno I only do jokes about whites and cops. S’all good now, I changed my password and everything. Anyway, yall hear about DaBaby tho? That’s crazy ... See yall at church. Imma get there early.”

Che then deleted his claim of a hack, and subsequently wiped the entirety of his Instagram.

The Independent has contacted Che’s representative for comment.

Biles has drawn widespread praise this week after withdrawing from the women’s team final, and later the all-around final, at the Tokyo Olympics, citing her mental health.

In a press conference on Tuesday (27 July), Biles said she had experienced “twisties” – a well-known mental block in which gymnasts lose their spatial awareness during complex routines.