Maren Morris Gives the Middle Finger to Shane Gillis’ ‘Whore’ at the Gym “SNL” Monologue

Maren Morris has voiced her disapproval of comedian Shane Gillis’ recent comments regarding women’s gym attire, which sparked a flurry of backlash on social media. Morris, an acclaimed Grammy-winning artist, took to Instagram on Monday, 12 October, to share her thoughts through a provocative video that featured her middle finger raised in defiance, alongside her new track “be a bitch” from 2025.

Gillis, who hosted Saturday Night Live on 10 October, ignited controversy with his monologue, where he made disparaging remarks about how women dressed at the gym. “I haven’t been to the gym in so long, I didn’t know women just dress like whores now?” said the comedian, which quickly led to widespread condemnation online.

In the wake of Gillis’ comments, several celebrities rallied to express their discontent. Morris’s Instagram post was particularly striking, showing her smiling before she raised her middle finger to the camera, coupled with a caption reading, “leave my gym short wedgie out of it.” On the video, text overlay read: “me being a wh0re at the gym.” The accompanying chorus from her song, “be a bitch,” includes lines that highlight her struggle against conformity and societal expectations.

Morris’s response was a part of a larger chorus of voices in the entertainment industry calling out Gillis’ remarks. The comedian continued to comment on gym attire during his routine, making further inappropriate descriptions of women’s clothing, which he admitted to viewing and filming while at the gym. Gillis’s comments were not only met with disapproval but also prompted other celebrities to share their perspectives on social media.

Former SNL star Ego Nwodim joined the fray by posting a gym selfie that boldly proclaimed, “whore reporting for duty.” Her choice of words reflected a pushback against Gillis’s disparaging remarks and furthered the conversation around the objectification of women.

Actor Dan Levy also entered the discussion with his own Instagram video, expressing his incredulity at the existence of such commentary on national television. Levy remarked, “Women wearing short shorts to the gym does not make them whores. It makes the men calling them whores, misogynists.” His comments aimed to challenge the narrative created by Gillis and assert that the responsibility lies not with women’s attire but with the attitudes of those making the judgments.

Levy stressed that this issue should not merely concern women but should invite a broader discussion among men as well. He highlighted the societal complacency that leads to the objectification and harassment of women, indicating a need for men to assume greater responsibility in challenging misogyny. His passionate remarks aimed to shift the focus onto the harmful behaviours exhibited by men rather than women’s clothing choices.

Morris’s response, alongside those of Nwodim and Levy, underscores a growing movement within Hollywood for greater accountability regarding the treatment of women. The conversation has been renewed around the idea that a woman’s clothing should never be a reason for objectification or insult.

As the backlash grew, Gillis faced scrutiny not only for his comments but for his prior history of controversial statements which had previously led to his dismissal from SNL. During his most recent appearance, Gillis inadvertently dropped an expletive during a live segment, prompting a flurry of apologies aimed at the audience and crew. His attempt to address the situation highlighted the tension surrounding his role on the show.

In summary, the reactions from Morris, Levy, and Nwodim reflect a clear stance against disparagement based on women’s attire. As conversations about representation and respect continue to evolve within the entertainment industry, voices like Morris’s are pivotal in advocating for change and challenging outdated perceptions. The onus is now on the larger community, especially within male circles, to join in solidarity against misogyny, ensuring a more respectful environment for all individuals, regardless of their attire.