Shane Gillis might have thought he could stir the pot with his recent Saturday Night Live monologue, but his ex-girlfriend, Grace Brassel, isn't letting him have the last word. On Tuesday, Brassel took to Instagram to post a photo of herself in a gym outfit, a direct response to Gillis's controversial joke about women's workout attire.
During his SNL appearance, Gillis joked, "I haven't been to the gym in so long. I didn't know women just dressed like whores now. Look, I'm sorry. There's no other way to describe — have you seen it? I've seen it. The shorts. Have you seen the shorts?" The comment drew immediate backlash, with many calling it misogynistic and out of touch.
Brassel, who dated Gillis for about a year starting in 2024, didn't hold back. She posted a photo on her Instagram Story with the simple caption "fitcheck!" — a subtle but pointed jab at her ex's remarks. With over 100,000 followers, Brassel's post quickly gained traction, and fans praised her for standing up to the comedian.
This isn't the first time Brassel has spoken out about their relationship. Last Monday, she shared an emotional Instagram reel addressing their breakup. "Last year I was in a relationship that fully stripped me of who I am," she wrote. "I've been so terrified to even talk about what I went through, especially after relentless bullying from his fanbase (for no reason). I want to share this to let women know IT GETS BETTER!! And you can do it! I had it on level hard mode and I survived! And I've never been happier."
Gillis's SNL monologue didn't just upset Brassel. Hollywood actor Dan Levy also condemned the joke in an Instagram reel, saying, "Women wearing shorts at the gym does not make them whores. It makes the men calling them whores misogynists." He added, "I'm speechless that something like that can exist on live national television."
The fallout has been swift, with many celebrities and former SNL cast members criticizing Gillis. Meanwhile, Gillis has yet to publicly respond to the backlash. This isn't the first time he's faced controversy; he was previously fired from SNL in 2019 after resurfaced racist and homophobic remarks.
Brassel's gym photo is just the latest in a string of responses to Gillis's joke. Other women have also taken to social media to clap back, including Ego Nwodim's gym outfit troll and a gym woman firing back at critics. The controversy shows no signs of slowing down, and it's clear that Gillis's ex-girlfriend is not backing down either.
As for Brassel, she seems to be thriving post-breakup. Her Instagram post not only serves as a clapback but also as a reminder that she's moved on and is living her best life. And with the support of her followers, she's proving that she won't be silenced by her ex's controversial humor.
