After Golden Globes boos and jeers, Filipino comedian Jo Koy brings standup tour to Florida

Way to go, "Josep!"

Jo Koy, the Filipino comedian-slash-author, is making waves online not for something he might have said in one of his Netflix comedy specials, but for his monologue during Sunday night's Golden Globes Awards show, in which he was host. A peek at social media shows posts that criticize the star of "Easter Sunday," and video recaps show when some of his jokes at the 81st annual Golden Globes elicited boos rather than applause or laughter. One notable burn at the expense of Taylor Swift seemed to have the Twitterverse jumping to her defense.

But for Koy fans, the attention (good and bad) could be beneficial for the notoriously self-deprecating comedian who often pokes fun of his Filipino background.

In spite of the backlash, Koy is trending, and traditionally comedians and awards show hosts expect heavy criticism days after the event. Whether Koy will discuss his Golden Globes Awards show experience at one of his shows in Florida this month remains to be seen. Here's what we know about Jo Koy and his Florida comedy tour stops in January.

Who is Jo Koy?

Jo Koy is a stand-up comedian who became popular thanks to TV appearances and comedy specials on Comedy Central and Netflix. He often references his Filipino heritage in his routine. When he's imitating his mom, for example, he refers to himself as "Josep," laying on a thick (and very accurate) Filipino accent. He also pokes fun at the rest of his family, including his son.

In 2022, Koy starred in the movie, "Easter Sunday." Just as "Crazy Rich Asians" gave Hollywood a glimpse into Chinese heritage, "Easter Sunday" brought Filipino traditions and inside jokes into the big screen with a mostly Asian cast.

Is there a Jo Koy day?

According to Koy's bio, in 2017, the comedian "broke a record for the most tickets sold by a single artist at 23,000 tickets and 11 sold-out shows at The Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu. In response, the mayor’s office in Honolulu proclaimed Nov. 24 as 'Jo Koy Day.'”

Is Jo Koy the first Asian to host the Golden Globes?

In the past, the Golden Globes has typically come under fire for lack of diversity.

According to USA TODAY, in 2021, the LA Times reported the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which ran the show, lacked a single Black member. Actors and studios boycotted, and the HFPA was eventually dissolved. Under new owners, the Golden Globes promised to be better by expanding membership, promising more diversity and now claiming to be "the most culturally diverse major awards body."

For the Jan. 7, 2024, Golden Globes Awards Show, executives hired Jo Koy, who says he's seen Hollywood struggle with diversity. The topic has come up frequently in his standup. "Identifying, being Filipino and Asian, and then you come to Hollywood, they have no idea what they're looking at," Koy said in a 2021 AP video interview.

His performance as host Sunday night drew a lot of criticism. However, the actor-comedian clapped back: "Some (jokes) I wrote, some other people wrote. Yo, I got the gig 10 days ago. You want a perfect monologue? Shut up! You're kidding me, right? I wrote some of these, and they're the ones you're laughing at."

Is Jo Koy performing in Florida?

In addition to his hosting gig at the Golden Globes, Jo Koy has a busy standup tour with four stops in Florida. For more on his tour dates and cities, visit jokoy.com.

• 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at King Center, 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne. Tickets range from $46.50 to $76.50 with VIP tickets at $196.50. Call 321-242-2219 or visit kingcenter.com.

• 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at Youkey Theatre, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland. Tickets range from $50 to $76. Visit youkeytheatre.com.

• 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at Kaseya Center, 601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Tickets range from $50 to $76. Visit ticketmaster.com.

• 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, at Peabody Auditorium, 600 Auditorium Blvd., Daytona Beach. Tickets range from $44 to $64. Visit ticketmaster.com.

Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Jo Koy, Asian comedian, tour in Florida: Melbourne, Miami, Daytona