Comedian Phil Wang recently shared that his mixed British and Malaysian background is crucial to his comedy career. He expressed that without his dual-cultures, he may not have chosen to pursue stand-up comedy. Wang, who participated in the ESEA Lit Fest during East and Southeast Asian Heritage Month, discussed his book Sidesplitter: How To Be From Two Worlds At Once and premiered his Netflix special Wang In There, Baby! on September 3.
During his comedy show, Wang humorously highlighted the differences between Malaysian and British cultures, starting off with a routine about reheating rice. He pointed out that Asian people are comfortable reheating rice, whereas Western people tend to avoid it. Wang mentioned that his comedy material typically revolves around Asianness, food, and some cheeky humor.
Having a mixed Malaysian and English heritage, Wang shared that comedy became a way for him to embrace his sense of being an “alien” in a new country. His heritage played a central role in shaping his identity as a comedian. Despite the growing diversity in the comedy industry, Wang emphasized that East and Southeast Asians (ESEAs) still face stereotypes and a sense of foreignness.
Unlike other ethnic minority groups in the UK who have had representation in comedy, Wang noted that ESEAs lack prominent role models. However, groups like Comediasians and Friends are working to provide a platform for Asian performers to showcase their talents through comedy and improv shows. Co-founders Kelsey Yuhara and Stephen Lee highlighted the importance of amplifying Asian voices in comedy and sharing stories from a unique perspective.
As part of the ESEA Heritage Month celebrations, Wang participated in a panel discussion to delve into the experiences of being mixed-race. He encouraged individuals with dual-heritage to embrace their background and humorously advised them not to let anyone dictate how they should reheat their rice, joking that it can last in the fridge for at least two days.
Wang’s journey in comedy reflects the importance of embracing one’s heritage and cultural background, while also challenging stereotypes and creating space for diverse voices in the entertainment industry. Through his comedy, he continues to bring laughter and insight into the complexities of navigating between different cultural worlds.