Melbourne comedian Nick Trapani has issued an unreserved apology after remarks made about murdered American woman Gabby Petito on his Trapanischoice podcast sparked widespread public backlash — and cost him a high-profile gig. The statement, issued on Thursday, came after the episode was pulled from the podcast's YouTube channel amid mounting criticism.
What was said on the podcast
The episode featured Trapani alongside three other comedians discussing Petito, the 22-year-old who was killed by her boyfriend Brian Laundrie on 2 July 2021 during a road trip across the United States. Her remains were discovered in Wyoming in September that year. Laundrie subsequently disappeared before being found dead in what was determined to be a suicide.
During the recording, the men can be heard laughing as they made light of Petito's murder. One participant described the killing as "fair enough, justified," while another referred to her as "21, 22, hottish" and made a sexualised comment about her appearance. The discussion also included an exchange in which one man asked "So she was an influenza?", prompting the reply: "She was a virus, yes."
The remarks drew immediate condemnation, particularly given the ongoing public conversation around violence against women and the way in which victims of domestic and sexual violence are spoken about.
Trapani accepts responsibility and apologises
In his public statement, Trapani acknowledged that while the offensive comments were made by other guests, he bore responsibility because it was his platform and he had "laughed along" rather than intervening.
"Words matter. What was said was wrong. It was offensive," Trapani said. "I take full responsibility, and unreservedly apologise. I've since deleted the episode."
He went on to address the gravity of the subject matter directly. "Violence against women should never be turned into a joke," he said, adding that he was "deeply sorry" to Petito's family and friends, and to anyone who had experienced or witnessed violence against a loved one.
Trapani also signalled a period of personal reflection. "I'm going to spend time now reflecting on the role I have, my podcast guests have, and that we as a community together have to ensure the words we use don't do harm," he said.
Nick Trapani dropped from Monster Trucks event
The fallout from the podcast was swift and consequential. SouthCoast Monster Trucks cut ties with Trapani ahead of a planned appearance as a commentator at the Melbourne Country Show at Caribbean Park. The organisation announced the decision on Tuesday, stating that after reviewing the content, it determined the remarks did not align with its values or the standards it expects of anyone associated with its team.
In its statement, SouthCoast Monster Trucks emphasised its commitment to providing a "safe, enjoyable and family-friendly environment" and apologised to those who had been "hurt, upset or disappointed" by the situation.
The episode's removal from YouTube had already signalled the severity of the backlash before the formal apology and the event cancellation were confirmed.
Broader context: violence against women in public discourse
The controversy emerges at a time when women's rights advocates across Australia and internationally have been pushing for greater accountability in how victims of gender-based violence are discussed in media, entertainment, and everyday conversation. The casual tone in which Petito's murder was treated on the podcast struck many as emblematic of a broader cultural problem.
Gabby Petito's case drew intense global attention in 2021, partly due to the widespread media coverage and public speculation that unfolded in real time as she was reported missing. The way her story was discussed — including debates about so-called "missing white woman syndrome" — already made her name a flashpoint in conversations about media, gender, and victim treatment.
For Melbourne audiences, the story is also a reminder of the ongoing cultural work being done locally to honour and elevate women's experiences — work that stands in sharp contrast to the kind of commentary heard on Trapani's podcast.
