ATLANTA, USA – Comedian and TV host Steve Harvey fires his social media manager over an ill-advised tweet and fend off false rumours about his marriage; it seems even laughter is no defence against the pitfalls of internet stardom.
On Friday, August 26, 2023, Harvey, 66, took to social media to explain why he let go of the employee who tweeted a request for people to name a comedian that doesn’t make them laugh.
The action seemed counterintuitive to Harvey’s positive brand identity.
🗣️ I’m personally addressing this pic.twitter.com/4bcoxIAPlP
— Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) August 25, 2023
“Somebody that works for me on my Twitter put a statement out that was totally negative. I gotta take responsibility for it ’cause they work for me, but the engagement was talking about ‘name a comedian you don’t think is funny.’ Why would I do something like that?” Harvey said in a video post. “That don’t even make no damn sense.”
The host and comedian pointed out that his brand has always been about motivation and positivity, saying, “You don’t know where these young people [are] at in their career, man. They could be coming up or anything. I’m all about positivity; I would’ve never done nothing like that.”
After confronting the employee who suggested the negative engagement would benefit Harvey humorously commented that someone now needs “employment.”
When Harvey seemed to have quelled one social media storm, another struck the following morning as false reports about his wife Marjorie Bridges “seeking divorce after she was reportedly caught having an extramarital affair with their chef and bodyguard” spread like wildfire.
Ned Nwoko, a Nigerian businessman who describes himself as a friend of Harvey, was quick to shoot down the allegations.
Turns out the Steve Harvey story is fake. A lot of you wanted it to be real so bad so you’ll call him a simp. I hope you heal. pic.twitter.com/8gIZMYAhJT
— Pharaoh👳🏾♂️👑 (@MrMekzy_) August 26, 2023
“We experience this practically every day, so when we read about our friend Steve Harvey and his lovely wife having issues, we had to contact him. He confirmed that he and his wife are very much okay and it’s all fake news and should be disregarded. The family is happy together and we wish them all the best,” said Nwoko.
While Steve and Marjorie Harvey, who married in 2007, have yet to publicly comment on the false divorce rumours, it’s clear that navigating the tempestuous waters of social media fame is no laughing matter—even for one of America’s most beloved comedians.
