Sheryl Underwood is trending online following The Roast of Kevin Hart, after jokes about her late husband sparked backlash.
During the live Netflix event at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe referenced the death of Underwood’s husband, Michael Sparkman, who died by suicide in 1990 after battling depression.
“Her husband committed suicide three years into the marriage,” Hinchcliffe said during his set. “I’ve been sitting next to her for two hours, and I have to ask: how did he last that long?”
Though Underwood appeared to laugh in the moment, viewers quickly reacted online, slamming the joke for going too far.
Tony Hinchcliffe did not hold back at the Kevin Hart roast
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) May 11, 2026
“Her (Sheryl Underwood) husband commited suicide 3 years into the marriage, I’ve been sitting next to her for 2 hours and I have to ask how did he last that long” pic.twitter.com/N1cz0TqgFE
After the event, she addressed the controversy during an interview with TMZ.
“Freedom of speech is alive and well at Netflix,” Underwood said.
Underwood later responded from the stage with a roast of her own.
“Question for the day is, who has had more Black d–k in this town? Me or Chelsea Handler?” she joked. “The answer is Tony Hinchcliffe.”
Elsewhere during the show, host Shane Gillis also referenced Sparkman while roasting Underwood.