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Hannah Berner on Growing Up in NYC, Tennis, and Hilarious Family Pranks

Ryan SicklerJanuary 23, 202530 min29,075 views
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Childhood in Brooklyn and Family Life

  • 🇮🇹 Hannah Berner grew up in a New York City Italian family, with her mom born in Brooklyn, experiencing a vibrant and sometimes chaotic upbringing.
  • 👨‍👦 She shared a room with her younger brother, leading to memorable childhood antics like throwing meatballs and the infamous incident of breaking through the drywall during a wrestling match.
  • 🏀 Her father was an intense sports coach, embodying a movie-like persona who would recruit troubled kids for sports programs.

Athletic Career and Sports Memories

  • 🎾 Berner had a dominant athletic career, excelling in various sports like softball and basketball, often feeling like she had to carry her teams.
  • 🎯 She eventually pursued tennis, recalling a high-pressure tournament match against a boy she had a crush on, where she won decisively, impacting her romantic prospects.
  • ⛳ Golf was another sport she played, trained by her dad for retirement, though she found it less engaging than more active sports.

Early Jobs and Unique Experiences

  • 🍽️ In high school, Berner worked as a hostess at a popular Korean barbecue restaurant in Brooklyn, navigating the rush of customers and the power dynamics of seating.
  • 🎾 She also worked as a "tennis prostitute," a term she uses for being paid by older, wealthy men for tennis lessons and to play matches against their friends.
  • 🤝 This experience led to meeting Chelsea Handler, who advised her that success often comes down to luck.

Family Humor and Pranks

  • 😂 Berner's dad had a unique sense of humor, often involving pranks, such as tricking his children into extremely hot hot tubs, which he found hilarious despite the burns.
  • 💰 He would also dare her to do embarrassing things for small amounts of money, like joining a random Taekwondo class.
  • 📱 Her own daughter is now accustomed to her pranks, even developing a quick ducking maneuver to avoid them.

Grandparent's Online Presence

  • 👵 Berner's 83-year-old grandmother, known online as "Nana Still Got It," has a significant Instagram following of 23,000, showcasing her beauty and positive outlook.
  • ✨ Her grandmother maintains her appearance naturally, without plastic surgery, embodying a belief in letting "Mother Nature" take its course.
  • 💖 The grandmother posts daily photos, often with inspirational quotes, demonstrating a vibrant and engaging online persona.
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What’s Discussed

Childhood MemoriesNew York CityItalian FamilySibling RivalryTennisAthletic CareerHigh School JobsHostessingTennis ProstitutionFamily PranksGrandmotherSocial Media PresenceComedy
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