Joanne Kam Talks About Her Comedy Career & Life Ahead of the Upcoming Queens of Asia Comedy Show

CONTENT: Michelle Ng
IMAGE: Bowtie Productions

Some might easily recognise Joanne Kam from her many gigs as a host, emcee, or even in one of the few movies where she flexes her acting chops. But it’s the stage with just a microphone as her prop where Joanne Kam shines the brightest, with her hilarious onstage personality and relatable storeis that will have audiences laughing all night long.

In the spirit International Women’s Day this month, Joanne Kam will be uniting with two other female powerhouses in the Asian comedy scene at the Queens Of Asia Comedy Show that will be touring Malaysia and Singapore.

We speak to the comedian ahead of her coming show to see how far she has come in her journey as a comedian to see how she puts the POWER in empowerment.

Luxe Society Asia: When did you realise that being a comedian is your calling?

Joanne Kam: My first guest spot in BOOM Boom Room Singapore. Kumar was already there for 6 months & invited me to do a short comedy skit that I wrote, then I lipsync to ‘I’m too SEXY’. After the set, the owner came out to offer me a job in BBR as Kumar’s co-host. This was way back in 1991. I guess you could say that was the start of my comedy journey.

Luxe Society Asia: Does your career in comedy affect how you approach life?

JK: Yes, comedy taught me how to look at life from a different angle and to always find that spark of inspiration that can be turned into the next story to be told.

Luxe Society Asia: How do you keep up with your busy schedule with so much going on?

JK: I’m still learning how to manage multiple productions, I guess you just need to stick to your belief and just grab the bull by its horn. I do try to balance it out with honestly spending time with my teenage daughter ( my happy place ).

Luxe Society Asia: Your laughter is very infectious, so what’s the secret to instantly connecting with the audience?

JK: I think as Asians we laugh at the same thing, it can be as simple as the auntie judging you in McDonald’s as u order both the nuggets & quarter pounder meal for yourself.

Luxe Society Asia: Is your offstage personality very different from your energetic, risqué comedian personality?

JK: I have 2 sides of Joanne, the quiet side that just wanna not be recognised especially when I have a bad hair day & not wearing make-up. I’m usually reserve until I have to switch it on, when I’m on stage sometimes it does feel like an entire different entity just take over. Then after I take off the wigs, corset & costume, all I want is SUPPER.

Luxe Society Asia: Why are there not more women in humour/ comedy?

JK: I think the amount of women in comedy in the last 2 years have increased tremendously. There was a time when the circuit have a handful to choose from and especially in Asia but now that number has increased. There are more women leading and spearheading platforms encouraging women in this field. And I am proud to be doing this as well.

Luxe Society Asia: You wear many hats as an actress, emcee, and comedian. If you could only pick one, which you choose?

JK: Comedy actress always and forever. But I’m hell of a great emcee 

Joanne Kam will be performing alongside Aditi Mittal and Yumi Nagashima at the ‘Queens Of Asia’ Comedy Show in Singapore on 24 and 25 March 2023. Tickets from $90 (Zone A) and $70 (Zone B) are still available online.