Jonah Hill's "Boundaries" Texts

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Overview

Jonah Hill's "Boundaries" Texts, also known as Jonah Hill Sarah Brady Controversy, refers to discussions about a series of screenshots shared by surfer Sarah Brady that show her ex-boyfriend and Hollywood actor Jonah Hill expressing his "boundaries" for them to stay in a relationship together. In July 2023, Brady shared evidence on her Instagram Stories that purportedly showed Hill listing the "boundaries" that would make her unsuitable for him, which included Brady continuing friendships with women from her "wild recent past," Brady continuing to post swimsuit photos and continuing her job as a model and surf instructor. The screenshots set off a series of discussions about dating, what counts as emotional mistreatment and the use and misuse of "therapy-speak."

Background

On July 8th, 2023, Sarah Brady, a professional surf instructor and model, posted a series of screenshots to her Instagram Story^[1] showing text messages between her and Jonah Hill from when they were dating. The couple had announced their relationship in 2021, but have since been separated.^[9] The screenshots purportedly show Hill expressing his "boundaries" for a relationship (seen below).

Brady had previously shared one of the photos Hill had allegedly made her remove from her Instagram on July 6th, 2023^[2] (shown below).

Online Reactions

On July 10th, 2023, Twitter user and creator of the Green Line Test, Rivelino,^[14] posted a green-lined image of Hill, Brady, and a pet dog. The post gathered over 5,000 likes in two days (seen below).

In Support of Brady

Various Twitter users commented on the screenshots shared by Brady, with several commentators accusing Jonah Hill of being controlling and abusive. On July 8th, 2023, Twitter^[3] user @OkButStill posted a tweet that read, "hate to take jonah hill's side since he is hideous looking, but I agree women should not be out having fun or enjoying their lives," gathering over 10,000 likes in two days (seen below, left).

Also on July 8th, Twitter^[4] user @_celia_bedelia_ posted a tweet that read, "This is from Sarah Brady – Jonah Hill’s ex – this is manipulative, abusive bullshit. / SHE IS A SURFER AND SHOULDN’T…post pictures of herself in a bathing suit? WTF. / What a tiny little man." The post gathered over 77,000 likes in two days (seen below, right).

On July 9th, Twitter^[6] user @justky1018 quote tweeted a post by @albert that showed a large shark looming beneath an unknowing woman relaxing on the water with the caption "wyd in this situation?" @justky1018's tweet read, "Not posting it on insta that’s for sure my bf set clear boundaries," gathering over 170,000 likes in a day (seen below, left). Also on July 9th, Twitter^[7] user @kylie_gender posted a tweet showing a section of Hill's "boundaries" with the caption, "My dream summer bucket list." The post gathered over 80,000 likes in a day (seen below, right).

In Support of Hill

On July 8th, 2023, Twitch streamer Destiny weighed on the controversy by saying, "Ice cold take: these DMs make Jonah Hill seem way more sane and reasonable than I would honestly ever expect a man to act in DMs, A+ handling from him on setting and communicating boundaries appropriately in a relationship. He dodged a bullet from a controlling woman if she felt the need to expose these and thought they made him look bad." The tweet gathered over 20,000 likes in two days (seen below, left).^[5]

Also on July 9th, Twitter^[8] user and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Emily Nussbaum posted a tweet that read, "It’s gross to post your ex’s private texts unless you have a really solid reason to do so--& this holds true even if your ex was a thin-skinned, manipulative weasel. That used to be a given, but it clearly isn’t anymore." The tweet gathered over 5,000 likes in a day (seen below, right).

Jonah Hill's Relationship With His Therapist

Various internet commentators noted that Jonah Hill has previously expressed his intense admiration toward his therapist, a man named Phil Stutz, who has been described as Hollywood's "go-to shrink."^[10] Jonah Hill also produced and directed a documentary about his relationship with Stutz, which was released on Netflix in November 2022.^[11]

Twitter^[12] user @dyingscribe posted a tweet noting this relationship on July 8th, 2023, saying, "The thing about Jonah Hill and his texts show that he has become obsessed with therapy speak and is using that to parse his relationships. / The man literally made a documentary about how much he loved his therapist. That is not someone who actually has healthy relationships." The tweet gathered over 2,000 likes in three days (seen below, left).

Also on July 8th, Twitter^[13] user @twinkp3aks posted a tweet that read, "jonah hill using therapy speak and telling his ex gf that her pictures on ig are “triggering” and “hurtful” to him is just further proof of how even the most leftist appearing “feminist” men are pathetic douchebags," gathering over 15,000 likes in three days (seen below, right).

Developments

Alexa Nikolas Allegations

On July 8th, 2023, former Zooey 101 star Alexa Nikolas shared a Twitter^[15] thread accusing Jonah Hill of allegedly kissing her against her will when she was 16 and he was 24 (seen below). The initial tweet received over 250,000 views, 2,300 likes and 580 retweets in four days.

Jonah Hill's lawyer Martin Singer called the accusations "a complete fabrication" in a letter to the media outlet Jezebel.^[16] Singer has previously represented Hollywood actors like Bill Cosby and Charlie Sheen.^[17]