Hilaria Baldwin’s new book, Manual Not Included, has sparked speculation as she refers to an unnamed "nasty" celebrity, many believe to be comedian Amy Schumer. Hilaria, married to actor Alec Baldwin, addresses personal experiences of being publicly ridiculed along with her family. She recounts an incident where this famous individual, whom she has never met, made derogatory statements about her and her family on a show, even attempting to provoke them via social media. Hilaria emphasizes that, despite the harsh words, she is proud of not engaging with the celebrity. She expresses a desire to remain detached from further media discourse involving the individual, highlighting her feelings of being unfairly treated as a total stranger.
In June 2023, Schumer targeted Hilaria and her husband Alec in her Netflix special, Emergency Contact. During this performance, she humorously recalled an earlier encounter with Hilaria, whom she described as claiming she was “from España” while using a Spanish accent. Schumer’s jokes about the Baldwin family’s large number of children, whom she playfully suggested have very Spanish names, further exaggerated the perceived identity confusion. Schumer concluded her routine with incredulity about Hilaria’s claimed Spanish heritage, pointing out that she is actually from Boston and not connected to Spain in any meaningful way.
Hilaria recounts in her book how deeply the jokes affected her, stating that the stress took a significant toll on her well-being, even affecting her children, one of whom cried over the public commentary. She reflects on the cruelty of the remarks and expresses her confusion over why someone would choose to be so unkind. Hilaria emphasizes that she does not seek an apology from Schumer, mentioning that she hopes to never meet her. This refusal to seek reconciliation underscores the emotional impact the incident had on her and her family.
Before marrying Alec Baldwin in 2012, Hilaria Baldwin was known as Hillary Hayward-Thomas. Together, they have built a family that includes their seven children: Carmen, Rafael, Leonardo, Romeo, Eduardo, Maria, and Ilaria. Alec also has a daughter, Ireland, from his previous marriage to Kim Basinger. The couple’s life has faced scrutiny, particularly surrounding Hilaria’s Spanish identity claims, which were criticized in 2020 as instances of cultural appropriation. This controversy prompted Hilaria to address her heritage in a New York Times interview, optimizing the opportunity to clarify her identity.
Throughout her narrative, Hilaria contrasts her lived experience with Schumer’s comedic portrayals, recognizing the thin line between humor and hurtful commentary. In her defense, Schumer points out that while Hilaria might have emphasized her Spanish connection, many who travel to Spain develop a deep appreciation for the culture, albeit without changing their identity. Schumer insists that her humor stems from a genuine perspective rather than a malicious intent, but Hilaria’s reaction reflects a personal journey shaped by public perception and critique.
Ultimately, Hilaria Baldwin’s account illustrates the struggles that public figures face when their identities and personas are subject to scrutiny and ridicule. While she acknowledges the impact of Schumer’s jokes on her emotional state, her desire to remain disengaged from ongoing drama underlines a broader conversation about empathy in celebrity culture. Through her reflections, she underlines the importance of understanding the gravity of words, resonating with many who have experienced similar public attacks and the challenges of navigating personal truth in the public eye.
