(From left) Jo Koy and his mother Josie. Images: Instagram/@jokoy
Josie Harrison, mother of Filipino-American Jo Koy, is heartbroken that many Filipinos are critical of the stand-up comedian’s controversial hosting during the 81st Golden Globe Awards, saying he “did his best” to represent the country.
In an interview with TFC on Monday, Jan. 15, Harrison went public, finally providing a face to the object of many of Jo Koy’s standup spiels, which mostly referenced his Filipino upbringing, and her insistence to stick to typically Filipino traits and customs that sometimes grate on her American son.
Harrison, during her interview, said she was hurt and disappointed when she learned that some of those who spoke ill of her son following his hosting stint were Filipinos.
“Nalulungkot ako kapag nakikita ko ‘yung source ng naysayers ay mga Pilipino (I’m sad when I see that the source of Jo Koy’s naysayers is Filipinos),” she said.
“I was so disappointed. I told him, don’t be so concerned about the naysayers. You cannot please everybody. Wherever you are or even in your normal life, you can’t make everybody happy with what you said,’” she continued.
Jo Koy | Image: Rolling Stone
Harrison also pointed out that Jo Koy’s hosting stint was done “for the sake of the Asian group,” which she said was mostly proud of what he did to represent Asia and his countrymen. She is nonetheless grateful that there are still Filipinos who stood up for him.
“Jo Koy is a Filipino, and I know he’s doing it for the sake of the Asian group. And I know he was proud of that. Tayong mga Pilipino, ‘yung mga naririnig mong kumakalaban sa kanya pero mas marami kang naririnig na lumalaban para sa kanya,” she said. “Sabi niya sa’kin, ‘Mom, ikaw ang nagturo sa’king maging ganyan kaya I represent them in the best way I can.’”
(Jo Koy is a Filipino, and I know he’s doing it for the sake of the Asian group. And I know he was proud of that. Us Filipinos, you would hear some tearing him down but a lot are defending him as well. He told me, “Mom, you taught me how to be like this so I’m going to represent them in the best way I can.”)
“If you love somebody, you’re going to be hurt. It hurts me. You endorse a lot of people. And when I endorse, I try my hardest to give what they want. And I know Joseph tried his best that night,” she said, referring to the stand-up comedian using his birth name.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 07: Jo Koy attends the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 07, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. Image: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images via AFP
Jo Koy’s mother stressed that “nobody’s perfect” and it’s not easy for the Filipino-American personality to speak in a room full of people, saying he’s merely just doing his job as a comedian.
“I know Jo is trying to please each and every one of them. nobody’s perfect. Kaya ang masasabi ko sa kanila, hindi po madali magsalita. Hindi madali maging comedian tulad ng anak ko,” she said. “Ang isang komedyante, they try to please you. They try to make you laugh and smile. ‘Yun ang naging trabaho ni Jo noong gabing ‘yon.”
(I know Jo is trying to please each and every one of them. nobody’s perfect. That’s why I want to tell them that it’s not easy to speak in front of people. It’s not easy to be a comedian like my son. A comedian tries to please you. They try to make you laugh and smile. That was Jo’s job that night.)
Jo Koy confessed during a “Good Morning America” interview that he was “hurt” over the criticism he received that night, but noted that it will be a moment he “will always remember.”
Despite this, the stand-up comedian’s hosting stint earned the support of Whoopi Goldberg, Howard Stern, John Arcilla, and Michael V, to name a few. However, he received an apparent jab from his ex-girlfriend Chelsea Handler when she hosted the Critics Choice Awards.