In a twist that nobody saw coming, Charli XCX turned her Saturday Night Live hosting debut into a platform to amplify one of the juiciest media feuds of the year. The British pop sensation used her opening monologue to spotlight the ongoing drama between Martha Stewart and veteran New York Post columnist Andrea Peyser.
The “Brat Summer” singer, fresh off her critically acclaimed album release, demonstrated her keen eye for drama by highlighting what she called an “extremely brat” moment in contemporary media history. “When Martha gets mad about an old magazine article and says that she’s glad the journalist who wrote it is dead—that is brat,” Charli declared to an amused studio audience. “And then when that exact journalist responded and said, ‘Hey, I’m alive, bitch!’ That is extremely bratty.”
The feud in question stems from Stewart’s new Netflix documentary, where the 83-year-old lifestyle mogul took an unexpected swipe at Peyser’s coverage of her 2004 insider trading trial. Stewart’s documentary comment was particularly striking: “The New York Post lady was there, just looking so smug. She had written horrible things during the entire trial. But she is dead now, thank goodness.”
Enter Peyser, very much alive and ready to fight back. The veteran columnist wasted no time crafting a scathing response in the Post, opening with the now-viral declaration, “I’m alive, bitch!” She went on to paint a picture of Stewart as a “perfectionist so petty and abusive” and an “obsessive-compulsive” who remains “so mean.”
Stewart, never one to let others have the last word, addressed Peyser’s response during her appearance at the Philadelphia Conference for Women. With trademark sarcasm, she referred to the Post as “my favorite newspaper” and suggested the exchange would boost viewership of her documentary.
The drama has sparked conversations about celebrity accountability, media relationships, and the long-lasting impact of courtroom coverage. Journalism experts note how this incident highlights the complex dynamics between public figures and the reporters who cover them.
Charli XCX’s decision to reference this feud in her SNL monologue adds another layer to her “brat” persona, which she describes as “just like, an attitude. It’s a vibe.” By incorporating this real-world media clash into her comedy, she’s demonstrated how modern pop culture can transform even the most serious conflicts into entertainment fodder.
The British singer, born Charlotte Emma Aitchison, has effectively used this moment to bridge the gap between her music’s rebellious spirit and mainstream comedy. Her SNL performance showed she could handle both comedy and commentary while staying true to her brand’s edgy essence.
As this story continues to unfold, one thing becomes clear: in the age of streaming documentaries and instant social media responses, no feud stays buried for long. Stewart’s premature declaration of Peyser’s demise has given new life to their longstanding rivalry, proving that sometimes the best drama comes from real-life interactions rather than scripted television.
The incident underscores the enduring power of words in today’s media landscape, particularly when they pertain to a living individual. As the story gains traction, it’s likely we haven’t heard the last word from either Stewart or Peyser. And thanks to Charli XCX’s SNL spotlight, this feud has found a whole new audience ready to embrace its “brat” energy.
After all, as this episode demonstrates, sometimes the most entertaining moments in television come from the unexpected intersection of lifestyle icons, newspaper columnists, and pop stars—proving that in 2024, drama knows no boundaries.