Cover image via @chiacomedy (Instagram)
Two years after sparking international outrage for mocking the MH370 tragedy, Singapore-raised American comedian Jocelyn Chia says she's grateful to Malaysia because the backlash ended up helping her career
In a recent interview with The Straits Times, Chia, who once joked about Malaysia Airlines' ill-fated flight during a stand-up set in New York, revealed that the controversy opened new doors for her globally.
"It's ironic, but I'm grateful to Malaysia. This incident changed my life for the better," said the 40-something comic, who now headlines shows internationally and is set to relocate to Barcelona.
The original joke — part of a long-running routine about the Singapore-Malaysia rivalry — went viral in June 2023 after a clip from her set at the Comedy Cellar was posted on TikTok and Instagram.
The video featured her mocking the 2014 disappearance of MH370, which claimed 239 lives.
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The backlash, at the time, was immediate
Chia received threats, was banned from some comedy venues, and was suspended on Instagram. She was also dropped by American tech corporation IBM, where she had been a regular broadcast host for two years.
Malaysia's government even threatened to issue an Interpol red notice.
While Singapore's Foreign Minister apologised publicly, stressing that she did not represent the country, Chia — who describes herself as "comedy's bad girl" — herself never apologised.
"I wasn't trying to offend anybody. I was just doing my job", she said.
While she admitted she could have handled the fallout better, she stood by the joke and defended it as a product of New York-style comedy — bold, dark, and unapologetic.
Chia has since become a talking head on Fox News, made the rounds on American podcasts, and even secured a six-week comedy residency in Japan
Despite being called out by comedians in both Singapore and Malaysia, she says her American peers saw her in a new light.
"One comic even praised my ability to 'jiu-jitsu' a cancellation attempt and turn things to my favour," she said.
She credits her resilience to the mindset of Tony Robbins — telling herself, "This is happening for me, not to me."
Chia is currently touring across Asia, with upcoming shows in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Taiwan. She also has shows lined up in Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, and Poland.
Image via @chiacomedy (Instagram)
