The comedian’s latest controversy reveals more cringe than cleverness.
Singapore-born comedian Jocelyn Chia is in hot water over an ill-judged joke about Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, the 2014 tragedy that saw 239 people lost at sea. Her attempt to riff on Singapore-Malaysia rivalry fell flat, leaving the audience uncomfortable rather than amused. The controversial joke has since been removed from TikTok, with even Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan stepping in to apologize for her comments, highlighting the backlash.
Chia, now an American citizen, has built her brand around “impatient, brash, and fast-paced” humor. Yet her unapologetic silence amidst the backlash suggests she’s unprepared to address the fallout. The comedian claims her jokes “kill in Singapore,” but many Singaporeans disagree, describing her as more cringeworthy than comedic.
Despite boasting about her ranking as one of Singapore’s “best stand-up comedians,” attempts to verify this claim came up empty—her supposed accolade led to a broken link. Her jokes, ranging from clichéd gender stereotypes to poorly received political satire, seem to miss more often than they hit. A skit critiquing liberals, an awkward attempt at sexual humor, and an abortion joke earned her few laughs but plenty of criticism.
One segment, focusing on “bad Asian boys,” started with potential but soon became an uncomfortable rant. Her humor about Malaysia, intended to poke fun at old rivalries, felt like a venting session, missing the nuance and sensitivity that successful satire requires.
Chia’s approach has led some to wonder why certain tragic events, like 9/11, sometimes lend themselves to comedy while others, like MH370, do not. As comedian Sascha Cohen argues, humor can help process tragedy, but it typically satirizes responses to the event, not the event itself. By focusing on the tragedy, Chia seemed to punch down rather than provoke thought, crossing a line that even her self-styled “edgy” humor cannot justify.
Ultimately, her routine reflects the harsh reality of comedy: without laughs, it’s just offensive.
