Steve Treviño Believes His Conservative Values Are Alienating Him from Hollywood

Comedian Steve Treviño has spoken out, expressing his belief that Hollywood has distanced itself from him due to his conservative beliefs that emphasize family, faith, and patriotism.

During an appearance on a podcast recently, Treviño, 48, pondered why he hasn’t received a new deal from Netflix after his stand-up special, “Steve Treviño: A Simple Man,” became a hit following its release in March 2024.

“Hollywood hates us,” he commented. “They don’t want anything to do with us. And that’s just sad, isn’t it?”

Treviño mentioned that his upcoming project will delve into his family dynamics, marriage, parenting, and faith. He was left surprised there wasn’t a follow-up from Netflix since his special performed so well compared to others released around the same time, despite the platform’s lack of detailed viewership figures. He stated that his special was among the top comedies in the year.

“Statistically, we were in the top five,” he noted. “I beat out 35 others, and yet, every other comedian has been offered more contracts, but I haven’t seen anything.”

The Texas-native highlighted that numerous stand-up specials premiered simultaneously, and several comedians with lower rankings received subsequent offers. This discrepancy made Treviño question whether his values, rather than performance, are being considered.

“We should be asking why,” he remarked. “I mean, I really don’t care if you like me—just look at the ticket sales. Numbers don’t lie.”

Despite his previous success, Treviño lamented that the entertainment industry seems at odds with his belief in traditional values. “I stand for family, God, and love for our country,” he shared.

He also recounted another troubling encounter with Amazon, where he was asked to eliminate a segment thanking U.S. military personnel. “They suggested, ‘Can’t Steve just thank the troops at the end? That’s too political,’” Treviño explained. “I wondered, why wouldn’t we thank those who serve in politics?”

He continued, “So, is it because I’m conservative? Is it because I cherish my family and my faith? Is it because of my patriotism?”

While he didn’t provide a clear reason for the lack of offers, he expressed frustration, noting that, “It must be because of my values. I can’t think of another explanation. A number is simply a number.”

Treviño shared his ongoing efforts to build an independent career, focusing on touring and direct interactions with fans instead of waiting for another streaming contract. He also has new projects underway, including a sitcom titled “Travel Ball,” centered around youth travel baseball, and an animated show.

“Stand-up is where the real money comes from,” he asserted. “If Netflix isn’t interested in a new deal, we brainstorm other possibilities. We always do.”

Additionally, he is working on another stand-up special, intending to maintain the core themes that have characterized his work over the years, regardless of where it is eventually streamed. “I’m proud of the message,” he concluded. “It’s all about family, faith, and love for our country. We’ll see where it goes from here.”