Cheryl Hines Questions Chelsea Handler's Timing Over 'Toxic' House Claims
Cheryl Hines has broken her silence regarding Chelsea Handler's recent allegations about purchasing a "disastrous" house from Hines and her husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The Curb Your Enthusiasm star expressed skepticism about Handler's timing, noting that the comedian bought the property five years ago and is only now voicing complaints publicly.
Hines Challenges Handler's Narrative
In an excerpt from an upcoming episode of the Tomi Lahren is Fearless podcast, obtained by People magazine, Hines questioned the validity of Handler's story. "You have to question the timing of it, because she bought this house five years ago and she's just now complaining about it," Hines stated. She added that Handler's claim of being "duped" into buying a "toxic" house doesn't "make sense" and argued that the story "doesn't really hold water."
Hines confirmed that she and Kennedy wrote a personal note to Handler when she moved into the Brentwood home in 2021, offering assistance and leaving her contact number. "If we were trying to unload a toxic house on her, I wouldn't have left my number," Hines remarked, suggesting this action contradicts Handler's allegations of malicious intent.
Handler's Initial Allegations
Earlier this month, on her podcast Dear Chelsea, Handler, 51, recalled buying the $5.9 million Los Angeles home from Hines and Kennedy, who currently serves as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. She described the house as having "the most toxic environment," claiming that a home inspector advised her she couldn't live there for at least two years due to issues like a faulty foundation.
Handler alleged that despite multiple rounds of renovations, she discovered additional problems, including an illegal outdoor storage unit that required removal. "It was a disaster, and I didn't know it going in because everything was, you know, under wraps," she said, criticizing Kennedy's role in health policy by referencing the property's condition.
Accusations of Attention-Seeking
Hines accused Handler of using the situation to gain publicity and mock Kennedy. "She's trying to get a laugh, I guess, and some likes," Hines concluded, implying that Handler's motives are more about entertainment than genuine grievance. Handler had previously quipped about the note from Hines, sarcastically asking for a "foundation" instead of pleasantries, and slammed Kennedy as "the embodiment of everything that is wrong with this administration."
Property Details and Background
Property records indicate that the home, located in the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood, was purchased by Handler via a trust under her sister Simone's name, with a final sale date of October 14, 2021. Built in 1937, the house features five bedrooms, a spacious backyard, and a pool, according to real estate reports. The sale price was $5.9 million, highlighting the high stakes involved in the dispute.
This public feud adds to ongoing tensions in Hollywood, with Hines questioning why Handler waited years to raise these concerns, while Handler maintains that the property's issues were severe and undisclosed at the time of purchase.
