Hilaria Baldwin is stepping into the spotlight once again — but this time, she’s not relying on yoga or family charm to carry her through. In her new memoir Manual Not Included, the TLC star and wife of Alec Baldwin confronts a series of public attacks, personal lows, and one particularly tense relationship with a famous comedian.
Hilaria Baldwin’s memoir never names names, but the target is clear
Though she never directly mentions her critic, most outlets agree on who she’s referring to: Amy Schumer. In excerpts from Manual Not Included obtained by People, Hilaria describes a “famous person, someone I’ve never met” who said “nasty and untrue things” about her and her family. The remarks weren’t just on stage — she says the celebrity even tried to provoke her and Alec via Instagram.
“We didn’t engage with her and I guess I am proud of that,” Hilaria writes. “I don’t need to use her name, and I don’t want any problems with her… I would like to be left out of any articles that mention her, because she has nothing to do with me. A total stranger.”
Comedy fans need little more context than that. Schumer’s 2023 Netflix special Emergency Contact included several jabs at Baldwin’s Spanish heritage — or lack thereof — echoing a controversy that exploded online back in 2020. Hilaria’s accent, her cultural background, and even the names of her children became material for Schumer’s stand-up, despite Baldwin’s earlier apology and explanation about her cultural fluidity.
Public scrutiny made Baldwin physically ill, and her kids weren’t spared
What separates Hilaria’s latest comments from past interviews is the emotional weight she attaches to them. She says she “became very sick with stress” around the time of Schumer’s special release. One of her children even cried after watching the comedian speak about their family.
“It gutted me because I couldn’t understand how someone could be so inherently cruel,” she writes. “I don’t need an apology… No matter what, I hope I never meet her.”
It’s a rare moment of vulnerability from someone who’s often been portrayed—rightly or wrongly—as maintaining a flawless, Instagram-ready persona. Baldwin’s willingness to share how deeply the jokes affected her and her family adds a new layer to a feud that many thought had run its course.
She wasn’t just criticized—Hilaria Baldwin also reveals a shocking parenting blind spot from a famous actress
But the memoir isn’t all about callouts and cultural defense. In a surprisingly intimate reveal, Baldwin shares a moment where her parenting was undermined by an unnamed celebrity—described only as an actress. The incident involved her daughter Carmen and some slices of bread. Hilaria asked the child to wait until after dinner to eat more, but the actress intervened, insisting children know what they should eat and offered Carmen another slice.
“I had no problem with Carmen eating bread,” Baldwin wrote, “but I didn’t want her to feel sick.” She says she stayed quiet at first, but later realized she didn’t have the confidence to stand up for what she felt was right. It’s a small anecdote, but one that exposes how even public figures can struggle with asserting themselves in everyday situations—especially when under the microscope.
The controversy over her Spanish heritage still lingers, but Hilaria Baldwin says she’s moving on
Of course, none of this would be as pointed without the shadow of the “fake Spanish accent” controversy hanging over Baldwin’s public image. Born Hillary Lynn Hayward-Thomas in Boston, Hilaria claimed for years to have been born in Mallorca and immersed in Spanish culture. Social media dug in, and soon her persona was questioned as sharply as her comedic value.
Schumer famously mocked this in her bit, calling her “Hilaria from España” and noting the stereotypically Spanish names of her children. (“Like Jamón, Croqueta, and Flamenco,” she joked.)
Hilaria has since apologized for the confusion and described cultural identity as something “allowed to be fluid.” She hasn’t directly addressed Schumer’s continued jabs, but her book makes it clear she’s tired of being drawn into this kind of personal attack.
With eight children and a reality show, Hilaria Baldwin’s life is already full—she doesn’t need the drama
Between her eight kids, including twins born via surrogacy, her marriage to Alec Baldwin, and her role on The Baldwins (TLC’s window into their chaotic family life), Hilaria’s plate is more than full. She doesn’t want to engage with critics or comedians who use her as a punchline. Instead, she’s using her book to set boundaries—and to show that even people like her can get worn down by public cruelty.
Whether this will reignite her feud with Schumer or finally put it to rest remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Hilaria Baldwin isn’t just defending her heritage anymore. She’s defending her peace.