Billy Bush says his coverage of Amy Griffin’s memoir led to an uncomfortable confrontation at Jennifer Meyer’s wedding in Hawaii, where the author challenged him about what he had said on his podcast.
The former Access Hollywood host described the encounter on the Oct. 19 episode of Hot Mics with Billy Bush. His account places the disagreement during the celebrations following Meyer’s ceremony.
Bush said he had intended to keep the incident private until content creator Katie in KC contacted him about rumors circulating among guests. He then decided to explain his version publicly.
Entertainment Weekly contacted representatives for Griffin, Demi Moore and Meyer. Its Oct. 20 report included no responses from them.
Bush Says Griffin Challenged Him Near the Bar
Bush claimed the tension began when he arrived on Friday, saying other guests relayed comments Griffin had made about him. During a gathering on the lawn, he was talking with another guest at a bar when he noticed Griffin approaching in a bright red dress.
He recalled hearing Moore encourage the author to speak with him. He said Griffin then stumbled and spilled the contents of her handbag, with Moore helping collect mints, lipstick and other belongings from the grass.
When they spoke, Bush recalled Griffin repeatedly telling him, “You don’t know me.” He said he offered to talk with her privately or on the record another time, while explaining that he considered the wedding an inappropriate setting for the discussion.
According to Bush, Griffin also objected to his criticism of The Tell‘s cover artwork, saying its publisher had selected the design. He maintained that his commentary concerned questions about the book, while describing her as upset about the effect of his coverage.
The Memoir Has Prompted Competing Lawsuits
Published in 2025, The Tell recounts Griffin’s account of recovering memories of childhood sexual abuse. Oprah Winfrey selected it for her book club that March, bringing wider attention to the memoir.
Former classmate Joleene Altum sued Griffin in March 2026, alleging that the book used details of Altum’s own abuse and disclosed private information about her. Griffin denied the allegations and filed a separate federal defamation lawsuit against Altum in Nevada on June 15.
In filings reported by PEOPLE, Griffin’s attorneys argued that her written accounts predated the contacts through which Altum claimed her experiences had been obtained. They also disputed Altum’s account of a meeting between the women. Bush has discussed the controversy across several podcast episodes and questioned whether Griffin used another person’s experiences.
He Says Griffin Also Approached His Girlfriend
As guests headed toward shuttle buses for the main reception, Bush said Griffin approached his girlfriend, Ali, and questioned why she was with him. He alleged that Griffin described his commentary as abusive and accused him of using her situation for entertainment.
Bush said Ali appeared surprised by the exchange. He also claimed other guests later asked him what had happened and praised his response.
The following morning, he said, he spent approximately an hour speaking with Griffin’s husband, John, on a veranda near the breakfast area. Bush described John as reasonable and even-tempered but declined to disclose their conversation, saying it was off the record.
Tobey Maguire Officiated Meyer’s Wedding
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Meyer married music executive Geoffrey Ogunlesi on Oct. 10 at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai. Her former husband, Tobey Maguire, officiated the ceremony on a lawn overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
In Vogue’s wedding feature, published Oct. 15, Meyer described having her children participate. They included Ruby and Otis, whom she shares with Maguire, and her baby daughter with Ogunlesi.
Photographs showed guests including Courteney Cox, Kate Hudson, Kris Jenner and Lauren Sánchez Bezos. Meyer wore a custom Danielle Frankel gown for the ceremony before changing into Alexander McQueen for the reception.