Whitney Cummings on Riyadh Comedy Festival Controversy: “It’s Just Racism”

Whitney Cummings is weighing in on the Riyadh Comedy Festival controversy. 

During the Monday episode of her Good For You podcast, the comedian addressed the backlash aimed at comedians who performed at the Saudi Arabian festival. Cummings herself was part of the lineup, and she further defended her decision to participate in the event while claiming criticism surrounding the fest was due to “racism.” 

“I guess I’m this weirdo. I don’t operate under, you know, the idea that every government and their people are the same. Like, you think that the people of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi government all share [the same values]? So you also believe that the Chinese government and the Chinese people are exactly the same? It’s just racism,” she said. “I think it took me a second, because when people are going like, ‘You’re doing something unethical,’ I’m like, ‘Oh, these must be ethical people, let me listen.’ And then you’re like, ‘Oh no, you’re just racist.’ But these are also, by the way, the same people that would go like, ‘Trump’s not my president! I am nothing like our government.’ But other countries are?”

Riyadh has been at the center of controversy after a number of comics criticized numerous elements surrounding the festival. Atsuko Okatsuka shared censorship rules for comics as part of the contract she was offered but turned down to perform, while Marc Maron slammed participants for agreeing to perform due to Saudi officials’ alleged role in the 9/11 attacks and the 2018 assassination of Jamal Khashoggi.

“I mean, how do you even promote that? You know, like, ‘From the folks that brought you 9/11. Two weeks of laughter in the desert, don’t miss it!’” Maron said. “I mean, the same guy that’s gonna pay them is the same guy that paid that guy to bone saw Jamal Khashoggi and put him in a fucking suitcase. But don’t let that stop the yucks, it’s gonna be a good time!”

Cummings also claimed that “anyone who has worked with Live Nation, every stand-up comic, has taken Saudi money.”

She added, “When you get a second, Google ‘Saudi Arabia Live Nation’ so you can be informed on the fact that anyone who has worked with Live Nation, every stand-up comic, has taken Saudi money. Google that! Just so you know what you’re talking about … or bought a ticket through Live Nation, went to a Live Nation event, all the actors who are represented by William Morris Agency, which is all of them. If you want to send them notes, too.” 

Alongside Cummings, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, Jimmy Carr, Kevin Hart, Pete Davidson, Russell Peters, Gabriel Iglesias and Andrew Schulz performed at the festival. While comics like Burr, Chappelle and Louis C.K. defended their appearances, Jessica Kirson released a statement sharing her “sincerest regret” for partaking in Riyadh. She also donated her fee to a human rights campaign.