You’ve probably seen her viral crowd work clips on TikTok or heard her name bouncing around Bravo conversations. Hannah Berner isn’t just another reality TV personality who pivoted to podcasting. She’s a stand-up comedian, bestselling author, and media powerhouse who built an empire on being unapologetically herself. If you’re wondering who is Hannah Berner is, and why her name keeps popping up everywhere, you’re about to get the full story.
From Tennis Courts to Comedy Stages
Hannah didn’t start her career telling jokes in front of sold-out crowds. She was a nationally ranked tennis player who dominated courts before microphones. At the University of Wisconsin, she played Division I tennis and earned MVP honors her senior year. That competitive fire? It never left. She just redirected it toward making people laugh instead of chasing down backhands.
After college, Hannah worked various jobs while figuring out her next move. Comedy wasn’t even on her radar until her mid-20s. She stumbled into it almost accidentally, testing material at open mics around New York City. The same grit that made her an MVP on the court helped her survive the brutal early days of stand-up. Those years of bombing in front of five people prepared her for what came next.
The Giggly Squad Explosion
If you’re asking who is Hannah Berner is, you can’t skip Giggly Squad. She co-hosts this wildly popular podcast with Paige DeSorbo, and it’s consistently the number one TV and film podcast in America. The show has racked up over 100 million combined downloads across both Giggly Squad and her other podcast, Berner Phone. That’s not luck—that’s understanding your audience.
Giggly Squad works because Hannah and Paige don’t overthink it. They talk like your funniest friends dissecting reality TV, relationships, and pop culture. The chemistry is real, the laughs are genuine, and the fan base is obsessive. In January 2025, they headlined two sold-out shows at Radio City Music Hall. Yeah, the legendary venue where icons perform. That’s the kind of pull Giggly Squad has built.
The podcast isn’t just background noise for commutes. It’s a full-blown community. Fans call themselves “Gigglers,” and they show up in droves for live shows. Hannah and Paige turned casual podcast listeners into a dedicated movement. That’s rare in podcasting, where most shows struggle to hit six figures in downloads.
Netflix Special and Stand-Up Success
Hannah’s Netflix special, We Ride at Dawn, dropped in July 2024 and immediately hit number two on the platform. For context, that’s massive. Netflix has thousands of comedy specials competing for attention. Hannah’s sharp crowd work and relatable humor cut through the noise. She talks about depression, gender roles in comedy, and the absurdity of modern dating without losing the audience.
Her stand-up style leans heavily on crowd work. She doesn’t just deliver pre-written jokes—she riffs with the audience, creating unique moments every show. That’s risky. One wrong read and the whole bit falls apart. But Hannah thrives in that chaos. It’s what makes her shows feel electric instead of rehearsed.
Before the Netflix special, Hannah toured solo material across North America and Europe. She sold out theaters in major cities, proving her draw wasn’t just podcast fans showing up. People genuinely wanted to see her perform. After wrapping that tour, she launched the Club Giggly tour with Paige, which dominated another 40 cities. The grind never stops.
Viral Fame Through Han on the Street
If you’ve scrolled TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen Han on the Street. This original video series has earned over 350 million views. Hannah hits the streets, interviews random people, and turns mundane interactions into comedic gold. It’s spontaneous, unpredictable, and wildly shareable. That’s how you build an audience in 2025.
The beauty of Han on the Street is its simplicity. Hannah doesn’t need elaborate setups or scripted scenarios. She just talks to people and lets the awkwardness unfold naturally. Sometimes it’s hilarious, sometimes it’s cringe, but it’s always real. That authenticity is why people keep watching and sharing.
Viral content alone doesn’t build careers. Plenty of creators get their 15 minutes and vanish. Hannah used Han on the Street as a launching pad, not a destination. She converted those views into podcast downloads, ticket sales, and book pre-orders. That’s the difference between trending once and building something sustainable.
Bestselling Author and Media Presence
Hannah’s book How to Giggle: A Guide to Taking Life Less Seriously became a New York Times bestseller. She co-wrote it with Paige DeSorbo, and it dropped in April 2025 via Simon & Schuster. The book isn’t a memoir or self-help fluff. It’s practical advice wrapped in humor, aimed at people who take themselves too seriously.
The success of the book shows Hannah’s range. She’s not just funny on stage or behind a mic. She can translate her voice into written content that resonates. That’s rare. Most comedians struggle to adapt their humor to the page. Hannah nailed it because she understands her audience beyond just making them laugh.
Her media appearances also keep her visible. She’s been featured in The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, The New York Times, Forbes, and Elle Magazine. She even hosted red carpets between tours. This isn’t accidental exposure—it’s strategic. Hannah knows how to stay relevant without oversaturating the market.
Why Hannah Berner Stands Out
So who is Hannah Berner in a crowded comedy landscape? She’s the comedian who didn’t wait for gatekeepers to hand her opportunities. She built her own platform through podcasting, leveraged social media for viral content, and proved herself on Netflix. That’s the modern blueprint for success in entertainment.
Her background as an athlete gives her an edge most comedians don’t have. She knows how to compete, handle rejection, and keep pushing when things suck. Comedy is brutal. Most people quit after a few bad sets. Hannah kept going because she’d already survived years of losing tennis matches and coming back stronger.
Another factor: she doesn’t play it safe. Gender roles in comedy? She dissects them. Mental health struggles? She jokes about depression without making it feel heavy. That balance between real and funny is tough to nail. Hannah makes it look effortless because she’s lived through the material she’s delivering.
What’s Next for Hannah
Hannah recently started auditioning for acting roles. She’s tired of being boxed into one lane and wants to explore new creative challenges. Whether she lands major roles or not, the ambition is clear. She’s not satisfied coasting on podcast success and sold-out tours. She wants more.
Her current tour, None of My Business, continues to sell out venues across the country. The show explores gender dynamics, career reflections, and personal insecurities with Hannah’s signature wit. Fans who caught the show rave about the new material. She’s constantly evolving instead of recycling the same bits.
Looking ahead, Hannah will likely expand her media presence even further. More Netflix specials? Probably. Acting roles? Definitely possible. Another book? Wouldn’t be surprising. She’s proven she can dominate multiple formats simultaneously. That versatility keeps her career trajectory unpredictable in the best way.
Final Thoughts
If you landed here asking who is Hannah Berner is, you now know the full picture. She’s a comedian who turned podcasting into a sold-out tour machine, a bestselling author, and a Netflix star. Her rise wasn’t handed to her—it was built through relentless work, smart platform choices, and genuine talent.
Hannah’s story proves you don’t need traditional paths to succeed in entertainment anymore. Build your audience directly, create content people actually want, and stay authentic. That’s how you go from open mics to Radio City Music Hall. Follow her journey on Facebook to catch updates on upcoming shows, new projects, and behind-the-scenes content.
Whether you’re a Giggler, a stand-up fan, or just curious about rising comedians, Hannah Berner is worth paying attention to. She’s not slowing down anytime soon.
