In June 2023, Singapore-born comedian Jocelyn Chia (are your ears tingling already?) made headlines after she uttered the now-infamous joke about the airplane MH370, which still remains missing to this day.
In case you’ve forgotten what got her there in the first place, read our coverage here:
Years after the online and diplomatic uproar, Chia spoke publicly about the incident in a recent interview, where she ‘thanked’ Malaysia for giving her the opportunity to take her career to new heights.
‘I was just doing my job’
Speaking to The Straits Times, Chia said she had no regrets in making the MH370 joke and doesn’t plan on apologising for it either.
I wasn’t trying to offend anybody. I was just doing my job. It is all about context, intent and delivery.”
However, Chia admitted that looking back, it would’ve been better for her to address the controversy immediately by clarifying the joke’s intent and explaining her New York-style comedy standards to avoid misunderstandings.
“I was in Colorado doing a show and enjoying the mountains. I didn’t want to worry about what’s going on,” she explained, adding that she kept silent to keep her mental health intact.
Expressed gratitude to M’sia
Following the media furore that arose in the wake of her MH370 joke, Chia said she was ostracised by comedians in Malaysia and her home country of Singapore, but found “recognition and respect” from American audiences.
“One comic even praised my ability to ‘jiu-jitsu’ a cancellation attempt and turn things to my favour,” she added.
Fast forward to today, Chia’s currently on her Asia tour, where’s she scheduled to perform at Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Taiwan.
She will also be relocating to Barcelona in September to kickstart her international comedy career as part of her Europe gigs in Switzerland, Poland, Germany and Belgium.
It’s been a long-held dream of mine to live in Europe, to experience a beach lifestyle. It’s ironic, but I’m grateful to Malaysia. This incident changed my life for the better,” she quipped.
Fallout from controversy
Not long after Chia’s MH370 joke went viral, several prominent figures such as Harith Iskandar and Datuk Lee Chong Wei stood out to condemn the joke.
The Singaporean government also distanced itself from the controversial comedian, with High Commissioner Vanu Gopala Menon writing that Chia “is no longer Singaporean” and does not speak for Singaporeans.
Chia’s joke also sparked a manhunt for her whereabouts, with the Malaysian police requesting Interpol to track her down. Unsurprisingly, that never materialised.
READ ALSO:
