Chris D’Elia has publicly criticized the comedy industry, claiming it turned its back on him in the wake of the sexual misconduct allegations that dramatically altered his career.

Now 45, the comedian accused many of his peers of lacking courage, describing them as “spineless” for distancing themselves from him after the allegations surfaced in 2020. Speaking on the Trying Not to Die podcast with hosts Jack Osbourne and Ryan Drexler, D’Elia reflected on how quickly people he had known and worked with for years disappeared once the controversy became public.

During the conversation, Drexler asked whether it surprised him that longtime colleagues failed to support him amid the intense backlash. D’Elia responded candidly, saying the reaction deeply unsettled him.

“It blew my mind,” he said. “I always thought comedians were about community — that that was what mattered. But most comedians are just pretty spineless.”

D’Elia went on to suggest that many performers, having spent much of their lives as outsiders, become overly protective of their success once they finally achieve recognition. According to him, the fear of losing status or career opportunities prevents people from speaking up or standing by others in times of crisis.

“They finally get recognition because of laughter, and it’s like, ‘I’m not letting go of that,’” he explained. “And f— that. I’m not doing that. If that’s what being a comedian is, then I’ll be something else. I’ll still be on stage making people laugh, but don’t call me that — that’s weird to me.”

D’Elia said the experience forced him to reevaluate both the industry and the nature of public judgment. He described what he views as a broader cultural impulse to rush to conclusions and tear people down, especially within creative circles that often present themselves as progressive or compassionate.

“I was surprised by a few people,” he admitted. “But you really realize that people can’t f—ing wait to hate you. It still kind of blows my mind, but that’s how people are.”

He added that while he felt particularly alienated by those within comedy and the arts, he found that people outside those circles were often more open-minded or willing to listen.

The discussion later turned to addiction and how different behaviors are perceived and judged in the public eye. Osbourne noted that while addictions such as gambling or substance abuse may be met with some degree of understanding, sex addiction is often treated as uniquely unforgivable.

D’Elia agreed, noting that the backlash against him unfolded during one of the most chaotic and emotionally charged periods in recent history. He argued that the timing of the allegations — coinciding with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread social unrest — intensified fear, silence, and self-preservation across the entertainment industry.

“2020 was the craziest time, period,” D’Elia said. “COVID, George Floyd, everything happening at once — people were terrified of saying the wrong thing. And that’s exactly when my situation happened. Everyone was afraid.”

In a moment of introspection, D’Elia appeared to acknowledge his own misconduct, reflecting on how he now understands his past behavior through the lens of addiction and maturity. Looking back, he said he recognizes how dishonest and reckless he had been.

“I was a f—ing liar, and I used sex,” he admitted. “Age has a lot to do with it. Now that I’m 45, I think about how I didn’t believe consequences would come. Looking back, I’m like, ‘I was crazy. I was delusional. Why wouldn’t that happen?’”

The comments come several years after D’Elia became embroiled in serious legal allegations. In March 2021, he was accused in a federal lawsuit of sexually exploiting a minor and soliciting child pornography. The lawsuit, filed in California on behalf of a Jane Doe, alleged that D’Elia sexually abused a 17-year-old girl in 2014 after connecting with her through social media.

According to court documents, the accuser initially contacted D’Elia on Instagram before he allegedly suggested moving their conversations to Snapchat. The messages were said to have quickly become sexual, with claims that D’Elia requested explicit photos and videos. The lawsuit alleged that the teen sent between five and ten sexually explicit images before meeting him in person, despite being underage at the time.

The suit further claimed that D’Elia psychologically punished the teenager when she failed to comply with his demands. A spokesperson for D’Elia strongly denied the allegations, and the plaintiff later voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit.

Since the accusations emerged, D’Elia has largely withdrawn from the public spotlight. While he has continued to perform on a limited basis, his recent comments suggest he is still grappling with the personal, professional, and cultural fallout of one of the most damaging periods of his life.