The seasoned actress directly addressed her former co-star regarding comments made about her on national television. She disclosed the details of their exchange and what happened after.

Roseanne Barr once opened up about the emotional toll of her abrupt exit from television, revealing the depths of her despair and the personal betrayal she believes contributed to her downfall. She shared how the fallout from her career setback pushed her to a breaking point, describing it as one of the darkest periods of her life.

Roseanne Barr in the original run of “Roseanne” in 1992 | Source: Getty Images

She also accused former co-star Sara Gilbert of playing a pivotal role in the controversy that led to her downfall, reigniting tensions between the two. Barr’s candid remarks offer a glimpse into the lingering impact of the scandal and her struggle to move forward.

Roseanne Barr participates in “Is America a Forgiving Nation?,” a Yom Kippur eve talk on forgiveness on September 17, 2018, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

Roseanne Barr on the Fallout of Her Firing

In 2018, she faced backlash for a tweet about Valerie Jarrett, a former aide to Michelle Obama, in which she called her the offspring of the “Muslim Brotherhood & Planet of the Apes.” The controversy abruptly ended her television career, and the ordeal took a toll on Barr.

Even though she apologized and deleted her Twitter account, ABC acted quickly, terminating her and pulling the plug on Barr’s highly successful revival, which had just wrapped its first season as the most-watched scripted primetime series.

Roseanne Barr visits FOX News Channel’s “Gutfeld!” on February 14, 2023, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Despite the controversy, ABC moved forward with a rebranded version of the show. “The Conners” replaced “Roseanne,” with Barr’s character written off, and it has remained a key part of the network’s primetime lineup.

Since then, the actress has largely stayed out of the spotlight, aside from a 2019 tour with Andrew Dice Clay. She has also distanced herself from social media, stating in a 2023 interview, “I’m not on Twitter. That’s been a great thing for me, to be off that.”

Feeling Betrayed by Hollywood

Stepping away from the public eye allowed Barr time to process the fallout, though the experience left a lasting impact. “I’ve survived. I’ve come out on the other side of it, finally,” she said, calling the ordeal a “witch-burning” that she found terrifying.

While reflecting, the TV star described it as a deeply painful period, “I would die many times. I guess you would call it the dark night of the soul. I felt like the devil himself was coming against me to try to tear me apart, to punish me for believing in God.”

Roseanne Barr at the “Roseanne” press conference on March 23, 2018, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

Barr asserted that she was never given the chance to make amends, stating that she felt deeply disliked. She believed the animosity stemmed from her talent and willingness to express her opinions. Despite “Roseanne” being the network’s top show, she claimed they preferred to cancel it rather than continue its success.

The Utah native recalled being caught off guard by how events unfolded, particularly the response from network executives. During the initial call, she insisted she had believed Jarrett was white and offered to explain the misunderstanding on her show, but claimed they refused, dismissing her apology as insincere.

Roseanne Barr spotted on January 8, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Comparing her situation to other controversies in Hollywood, she pointed out that while figures like Dave Chappelle and Louis C.K. faced backlash, they were not completely shut out.

“I’m the only person who’s lost everything, whose life’s work was stolen, stolen by people who I thought loved me,” she said. The silence from the industry was particularly painful, though she expressed gratitude for comedian Mo’Nique, whom she called a “brave, close, dear friend” for publicly standing by her.

Roseanne Barr visits the Western Wall on January 27 2019, in Jerusalem, Israel. | Source: Getty Images

Barr’s disappointment was deepened by the lack of support from those she had worked with. She struggled to understand their actions, especially after the effort she put into reviving the show.

Roseanne Barr attends the premiere of “Roseanne,” 2018 | Source: Getty Images

Sara Gilbert’s Role in the Controversy

Before ABC announced the show’s cancellation, co-star Sara Gilbert condemned Barr’s remarks, calling them “abhorrent” and insisting they did not reflect the views of the cast or crew.

Barr later blamed the actress, who started on the show when she was 13, stating, “She destroyed the show and my life with that tweet. She will never get enough until she consumes my liver with a fine Chianti.”

Sara Gilbert attends Sean Penn, Bryan Lourd and Vivi Nevo Host 10th Anniversary Gala on January 15, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

The veteran star’s frustration over Gilbert’s public remarks only grew as the fallout continued. She believed that not only had her former co-star stabbed her in the back, but she had also repeatedly discussed the controversy on her now-canceled talk show, “The Talk,” expressing shock over Barr’s comments.

Feeling pushed to her limit, Barr eventually confronted Gilbert directly, warning, “You better shut your blanking mouth about me, I’m telling you. You better shut your […] mouth.” According to Barr, the criticism stopped after that.

Despite the turmoil, she eventually came to terms with what happened. Although the decision to erase her character from the show was painful, she chose to forgive, believing that being removed from the situation was a form of protection.

Finding Peace and Letting Go

Finding closure allowed Barr to focus on new projects. In January 2025, she revealed plans for a TV comeback, co-writing a comedy series with “Roseanne” and “Arli$$” alum Allan Stephan.

Set in a small Alabama town, the show blends elements of “The Roseanne Show” and “The Sopranos.” Barr stars as a farmer battling drug gangs and foreign influence while growing and selling cannabis and magic mushrooms.

Barr described the upcoming series as bold and unconventional, embracing humor that pushes boundaries. She shared that it will feature “very offensive ideas and a lot of swearing,” blending dark comedy with social commentary.

Inspired by her life as a farmer in Hawaii, the show follows characters who “save America with guns, the Bible, petty crime and alcoholism.” She compared its tone to the style of the Coen brothers, suggesting a mix of satire and gritty realism.

Life on Her Hawaiian Farm

Barr’s life on her Hawaiian farm serves as an inspiration for her work and a retreat from the public eye. She shares a 47-acre farm with her longtime partner, and at times, her extended family joins them.

She has posted snapshots of the estate on Instagram, sparking a range of reactions. While some appreciate the glimpse into her rural lifestyle, others have expressed differing opinions.

Barr also listed one of her two El Segundo homes in Los Angeles worth $3.5 million. It was a property she bought in 2003 for $1.17 million. This move followed her decision to live full-time on her 47-acre macadamia nut farm in Hawaii, which she purchased in 2007 for $1.78 million.

She often shares glimpses of her experiences in Hawaii on Instagram, showing her enjoying simple pleasures like cutting grass, celebrating birthdays, and appreciating rainbows.

Fans have praised her for maintaining a normal, relatable lifestyle. One commented, “I love that your house is normal. It’s not a kitchen island the size of my living room with oversized chandeliers. You’re raw. I love it!”