Various celebrities from all over the world came to the defense of Filipino-American comedian Jo Koy after his controversial hosting stint at the recently held Golden Globe Awards on January 7 (US time). The stand-up comedian notably drew flak for his remarks about Taylor Swift during the program.

“As you know, we came on after a football doubleheader. The big difference between the Golden Globes and the NFL? At the Golden Globes, we have fewer camera shots of Taylor Swift, I swear,” he quipped.

READ: Jo Koy to host the Golden Globes: ‘I get to make my Filipino family proud’

His joke about Taylor made the rounds on social media immediately after he dropped it––gaining various reactions from celebrities and netizens.

Despite the backlash to his hosting stint, Jo Koy received support from various celebrities, both local and international.

Veteran comedian-actor Steve Martin––who hosted the Oscars thrice–– knew exactly what Jo Koy was feeling the moment his joke dropped. He shared on Threads how he still throws up from his last hosting stint which was a decade ago.

“Congratulations to Jo Koy, who took on the toughest gig in show business, hit, missed, was light on his feet, and now has twenty minutes of new material for his stand-up,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) winner Whoopi Goldberg shared on her show, The View, that hosting isn’t an easy gig.

“These hosting gigs are brutal. They are just brutal. If you don’t know the room, if you’ve not been in these rooms before and you’re sort of thrust out there, it’s hit or miss,” she shared.

Her co-host, Sara Haines, agreed with the veteran actress’s sentiments and added that people should find their sense of humor as what the stand-up comedian did at the awards night was just for laughs.

“Get a sense of humor because we need to protect these national treasures called our comedians, because life needs them. We need to stop binding them in, and fencing them in. And in that room, Jo Koy is punching up. No one feels sorry. Just smile,” she shared. 

Meanwhile, Howard Stern added his opinion about the issue on his own show. He claimed that hosts should have a minimum of six months to prepare––Jo Koy only had 10 days before the actual awards night.

“10 days? You’re doomed! Telling those jokes to a bunch of people who don’t wanna be laughed at is the biggest bummer in the world. Hollywood has no sense of humor about itself. Comedians are supposed to be funny. And the only way to be funny is to be cynical. So why would you want to go to an event where you can’t be cynical?” he shared.

Comedian-actor Kevin Hart––who had to step down as host of the 2020 Oscars–– shared the same sentiments with the rest as he knew that Jo Koy is a good host who had a tough time. 

READ: Jo Koy considers hosting Golden Globes as championing representation in Hollywood

“People want to highlight the bad but there is a world of good behind it. He is good and always has been., I love Jo. I'm fine with Jo. He’s made it this far, he'll make it after,” he added.

Meanwhile, local social media influencer James Deakin shared that Jo Koy had a bad night but it doesn’t mean people should hate him already. He added how difficult hosting could be and the stand-up comedian will only learn from this event.

“Because our sole goal is to entertain, we assume the whole world hates us when we fail. So rubbing it in is not only pointless, it’s just downright nasty, petty and cruel, and says much more about you than it does about the one you’re crucifying,” he shared.

Previously, Jo Koy shared with ABS-CBN News how he hoped his hosting stint at the Golden Globes would help other Asian Americans be represented at such a prestigious event.

“This is that moment where I get to make my Filipino family proud,” he previously shared.