Czarina Faith Abuso

EXCLUSIVE: Stand-up comedian Kumar on being brave: 'I’ve been cancelled so many times!'

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

<p>As the date approaches for her repeat show in the country this month, Singaporean comic and showbiz personality Kumar shared why she is unfazed by the controversy online after she first announced her February 22 show in Manila. Calls to boycott the show were made after she allegedly made racist remarks at previous performances.</p><p>“<em>Look, people always have something to say. If you’re quiet, they complain. If you’re loud, they complain. I don’t have time for drama—unless it’s in my show! At the end of the day, I do comedy, not politics. If you want to be angry, go argue with your mother-in-la</em>w, don’t waste time on me. Why should Pinoys watch my show? Simple: Because you will laugh until your makeup runs!” she told PUSH ABS-CBN in an exclusive interview. </p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-8" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DDOp0yNzPzf/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=505&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A8%2C%22os%22%3A2335717.799999997%2C%22ls%22%3A873725.5%2C%22le%22%3A874008.700000003%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1051" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-8" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-9" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DEgrm_TTShr/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=505&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A9%2C%22os%22%3A2335735.599999994%2C%22ls%22%3A873725.5%2C%22le%22%3A874008.700000003%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="799" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-9" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/events/2025/2/10/singaporean-comic-kumar-is-excited-to-see-his-pinoy-fans-again-1049"><strong>READ: EXCLUSIVE: Singaporean comic Kumar is excited to see his Pinoy fans again: ‘The crowd is next level!’</strong></a></div><p>Having been an entertainer for over three decades, the comedian, TV host, actor, and drag queen explained why she will never be scared to speak her mind on stage or in front of the camera.</p><p>“<em>Because if I don’t say it, who will? Life is already so hard, must we still pretend? I say what people are thinking but don’t dare to say. If it’s funny, people laugh. If it’s true, they cry. If it’s painful, they still laugh, but later go home and think. That’s my job. People always say, &#x27;Kumar, what if you get cancelled?&#x27; I’ve been cancelled so many times, might as well give me a membership card,</em>” she said jokingly. </p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-10" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DC3aYgUTxv2/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=505&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A10%2C%22os%22%3A2335746.399999991%2C%22ls%22%3A873725.5%2C%22le%22%3A874008.700000003%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="871" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-10" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>As a member of the LGBT community, Kumar said she is proud to represent and be known in the community, but that does not necessarily mean being on a different level from others.</p><p>“<em>This question as an &#x27;idol&#x27; is so serious. I’m just a person. I never planned to be an LGBT icon. I just wanted to be myself—whether in drag, out of drag, making jokes, living my life. But I understand that for many, seeing someone like me on stage gives them courage. I’m happy for that. Pressure? At this age, I also get pressure on my knees to climb stairs, so it all balances out</em>,” she added. </p><p>For those looking to forge a career path like the multi-talented performer said being authentic is what is most important. </p><p>“First—be yourself. If you fake it, people can smell it. Second—timing is everything. Even your auntie’s nagging is funnier if she times it right.Third—don’t be scared of silence. Sometimes the audience is listening, not ignoring you. But if they ignore you... tell them their outfit is ugly. Works every time!” she shared. </p><p>Watch Kumar at her <em>Beats, Rhymes &amp; Punchlines</em> tour in Manila happening on February 22, Saturday, 8 p.m. at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City. Tickets are available at <a href="https://www.ticketmelon.com/lol-asia/kumarbrpph">https://www.ticketmelon.com/lol-asia/kumarbrpph</a></p>

<p>Singaporean entertainer Kumar reaffirms his love for Pinoy fans and shares why he will never be afraid to speak his mind on stage.</p>

Singaporean entertainer Kumar reaffirms his love for Pinoy fans and shares why he will never be afraid to speak his mind on stage.