Lesbian Stand-Up Comedian Jessica Kirson Expresses “Sincere Regret” for Riyadh Comedy Festival Performance

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/riyadh-comedy-festival-stand-up-jessica-kirson-apology-1236392972/

25 comments

  1. Easy to regret after selling out 🤷‍♂️

  3. It’s not like accidentally swearing in front of someone’s child.

    There were dozens of steps and decision points that led to her performing at that festival.

  4. Ahhh yes, after the check hit her bank account, *NOOOOW* she can say she regrets it. 

  5. Let’s just say the regret has moved me….. TO A BIGGER HOUSE

  8. Taking 100% of their money they gave you and donating it to a human rights organization is actually the second best thing you can do in this situation (first of course is not accepting their blood money).

  9. Normally I’d object to some being describe as “Lesbian Stand Up Comedian” in a headline, as the fact she’s a lesbian is irrelevant, however in this case it is absolutely relevant, she took money from a regime that, apart from their other sins, is actively killing gay people.

    A public apology after selling out means nothing. She got her 30 pieces of silver, she doesn’t regret taking it, she regrets that she’s now being held to account.

  10. Too late, even worse optics as a lesbian opportunist in a nation that outlaws homosexuality. I suggest there is more integrity to commit to being a moral sellout and showing some character.

  13. It’s obvious no one proofread that article before they published it.

  16. When did the regret set in? Was it on the flight there? Perhaps in the hotel room the night before, or maybe during breakfast the morning of. Was it in the limo on the way to the gig? Could it be the minute after those dollars were deposited into her bank?

    What changed between any of the above moments and her regret today?

  17. This Riyadh poster is now a wanted poster for all comedian sellouts. There’s no coming back, it’s done. Great move Saudi Arabia, you won

  18. Now that I’m safely back and got the fat check, I’m, like, REALLY sorry.

  19. We know this is BS, but it’s actually worse than that.

    She was on a podcast a few months ago with Normand and Morril, where they were talking about how they were invited and were thinking about going. They were hesitant about it, and she hadn’t heard of it yet… and basically asked for an invite. “I would love to go there and do stand-up.” Then they joked that she had “three” strikes against her: “Gay, woman, and Jew.”

    [https://www.humorism.xyz/heres-how-comedians-are-rationalizing-taking-a-paycheck-from-saudi-arabia/](https://www.humorism.xyz/heres-how-comedians-are-rationalizing-taking-a-paycheck-from-saudi-arabia/)

    Despite her statement, on the podcast she said “I wouldn’t do gay material there at all.”

    She didn’t just know what she was getting into; she actively convinced the other two to go and asked for an invite… while on a recorded podcast.

  20. I was super excited to buy tickets for her show and I really wanted to support her. Then this shit came out. Big nope. Such a disappointment.

  21. “Comedian Jessica Kirson, an openly gay…”

    Say less.

    This isn’t an apology.

  23. I’ll believe it when she donates the money she earned from it

  24. I sincerely regret having to cash this check from the Saudi government

  25. she felt sorry as soon as that sweet sweet anti lgbtq, anti free speech, anti due process money hit her bank account. fuck her and fuck every single one of those comedians that did this festival. good thing gillis and starvos are my favorite comedians working right now.

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