Openly gay comedian Jessica Kirson has issued a public apology after performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia, a nation where homosexuality remains illegal and punishable by imprisonment or death. Kirson told The Hollywood Reporter that her decision to participate “has weighed heavily” on her conscience, saying she now “deeply regrets” performing under a government that “continues to violate fundamental human rights.”
Kirson explained that her intent in accepting the invitation was to “help LGBTQ+ people in Saudi Arabia feel seen and valued.” She said she was “surprised” to have been invited as an openly gay performer and only agreed to participate after securing a guarantee that she could speak candidly about her identity on stage. “I hoped that this could help LGBTQ+ people in Saudi Arabia feel seen and valued,” she said, adding that she believes she is the first openly gay comedian to perform gay-themed material in the kingdom.
The comedian claimed she received messages from attendees expressing gratitude for her performance but acknowledged the moral dilemma of participating in a government-sponsored event. “At the same time, I deeply regret participating under the auspices of the Saudi government,” she said. Kirson announced that she will donate her entire performance fee to a human rights organization.
The Riyadh Comedy Festival, held from September 26 to October 9, featured an array of top-tier comedians including Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Bill Burr, Louis C.K., and Pete Davidson. However, not all performers accepted the invitation. Comedians Marc Maron, David Cross, and Atsuko Okatsuka criticized the festival for its restrictions and Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.
Okatsuka even published sections of the event contract, which explicitly barred comedians from criticizing “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its leadership, royal family, or religion.” Cross cited the country’s “oppressive regime” as his reason for declining to perform.
Kirson acknowledged these criticisms, stating, “I respect my fellow comics who have spoken out against the festival. I recognize the concerns and criticism this has raised.” She added that she hopes the backlash will “spark dialogue about how we can use our platforms for good.”
Despite her apology, fans flooded Kirson’s social media accounts with sharp criticism, accusing her of hypocrisy and “selling out.” One fan wrote, “You really sold out… I’m super sad about this,” while another said, “Still waiting for the explanation behind your terrible decision to accept money from a horrible regime.”
In 2023, musician Rod Stewart publicly rejected a Saudi performance offer over the kingdom’s treatment of women and the LGBTQ community — a contrast that has amplified criticism of Kirson’s decision.
Kirson concluded her statement by taking full responsibility: “I am genuinely sorry for making a poor decision that had repercussions I didn’t fully consider. I will dedicate myself to making amends so that my choices reflect the respect and care my fans deserve.”
