Jo Koy says he was ‘hurt’ over Hollywood’s slow recognition of his feats
January 4, 2024
Despite his success in stand-up comedy, comedian Jo Koy feels that the entertainment industry had been sluggish in recognizing his achievements.
What he’s saying: In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the 52-year-old Filipino American actor expressed frustration at having to convince the industry of his humor and relevance even after selling out arenas with his shows.
“These numbers are clear as day. I’m an arena act,” he said. “I’m on a list of people that aren’t comics who are selling out arenas. It’s like, Elton John, Billy Joel, Jo Koy and Coldplay. Like, what aren’t you guys seeing?’”
He added, “It hurt a lot. And yeah, it was offensive that I still had to convince a lot of people that what I’m saying is relevant and funny.”
Hosting the Golden Globes: Koy, whose real name is Joseph Glenn Herbert Sr. has been tasked to host the annual Golden Globes on Jan. 7 at the Beverly Hilton in California, making it his first-ever gig as a host of a major awards show.
He points to Steven Spielberg‘s acknowledgment of his work as an initial sign of recognition, and he sees hosting the Globes as an opportunity to broaden the options for hosts, paving the way for more diverse talent in the industry.
“It’s just a beautiful thing, and there are not that many [host] options that they’ve used, and now the options have been broadened,” he told THR. “Now there’s a variety, so let’s just keep that going. There’s so much talent out there in this industry that needs to be recognized, and hopefully I’ve opened that door. No, I’m not going to say hopefully. Yeah, I opened it, dammit. Now, let’s see all the other cats out there.”
Representing diverse communities: Koy sees the opportunity as a significant moment for his family, culture and the diverse communities he represents. Despite a brief preparation time, he emphasizes a “celebratory” tone for the event, aiming to acknowledge the industry’s challenges while ensuring everyone enjoys the return to normalcy.
“It just means so much, and not only to me,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of weight on my shoulders that I got to carry. I got my family, I got my culture, I got the Asian community, I got the halfers out there…There’s a lot of halfers out there that need some representation, and I fill that void.”
Advice from comedians: Koy said he received advice from fellow comedians such as Seth Meyers, Chris Rock and Ali Wong. Meyers shared insights about dealing with nerves, while Wong emphasized the importance of preparation.
As for Rock, he offered pointers on hosting and suggested writers for the event. But his crucial advice to Koy was to spend less time over wardrobe concerns and focus on watching the entire event to be prepared for unexpected moments.
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