12 Rising AAPI Stand-Up Comedians To Watch

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 04: (L-R) Bobby Berk, Atsuko Okatsuka and Dylan Akira Adler perform ... More onstage during Netflix Is A Joke Festival: Outside Joke at Hollywood Palladium on May 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Netflix)

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There’s a quote that is often used to describe comedy: “We must laugh to keep us from crying.” Napoleon Bonaparte first said it, but over time, the words evolved, but the meaning remained the same: find humor in the most dire circumstances to survive. That’s what comedians do.

Comedy has been a gateway to relief and relaxation with everything happening in the world – and even in our personal lives. Laughter is truly the best medicine for stress and anxiety. For many comedians, it’s a form of expression from the horrors or dread of reality, told hilariously. There’s a relatability in these comedic situations. And, with the rise of social media, comedians can gain more exposure to share these funny and pertinent stories.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have their struggles when it comes to their identity and perceptions made about them because of their appearance. Comedian Jimmy O Yang joked, “A lot of Asian people come up to me [and]

are very nice and very proud. They’re like ‘Jimmy, thank you for representing the Asians, man. I’m like, ‘hey, you’re welcome.’ But, you do understand it’s not really a choice, right? Like, when you wake up Asian, you can only represent Asians.”

Though being AAPI is not a choice, these comedians can find the humor behind their identities or even make the audience aware of the commonalities. For Asian American Pacific Islander Month, I wanted to highlight 12 AAPI Rising Stand-Up Comedians working hard to make us laugh by sharing their stories -- whether it’s AAPI-based or not.

Adam Mamawala doing stand-up comedy

Adam Mamawala

Adam Mamawala

New York-based comedian Adam Mamawala has often explained during his sets that people can’t tell he’s Indian American. He’s had to clear up “what kind of beige he is” during his sets, which he said many assumed he was of Mexican descent. The last name itself should have been a clear indicator, as he jokes, every other letter has an “A” in between. His refreshing set includes his Indian background, navigating his divorce, politics, and love of sports. He’s appeared on Comedy Central, MTV, BET, and SiriusXM. He’s released two albums, Statistically More Relatable (2022) and One of the Good Ones (2017), which debuted at #1 on the iTunes Comedy Charts. He’s touring the United States, performing at many comedy festivals (including AAPI programs) and iconic venues like Detroit’s The Fillmore, The Met in Philadelphia, and New York City’s Beacon Theatre.

Adam Pasi doing standup comedy.

Adam Pasi

Adam Pasi

Based in Portland, Samoan American comedian Adam Pasi has been vocal about his Samoan heritage on stage. He told PBS that he leaned into his Samoan side, joking, “None of you saw me take the mic out [of] the stand and brace yourself for some Irish comedy.” Voted as “Portland’s Funniest Person” twice by the Helium Comedy Club, Pasi’s comedy set consists of various topics from his childhood growing up on army bases to current events like the “Man vs Bear” discussion. He has appeared on the IFC series, Portlandia, and is a regular in the Portland comedy circuit and festivals.

Badar Tareen doing stand-up comedy at the DC Improv Club.

Patrick Siren

Badar Tareen

DC-based Pakistani American comedian Badar Tareen is every Asian parent’s dream: He’s a civil rights attorney married to a medical doctor. Though he remains passionate about law, his love for comedy has always been something he has wanted to explore. He started doing stand-up after his divorce because he saw it as an opportunity to start over and figure out his identity. After a few starts and stops to his comedy career, it eventually took off, having performed at several comedy clubs and festivals throughout the US, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. He’s opened for other comedians like Akaash Singh, Tony Woods, and SNL’s Marcello Hernandez. He also runs BrownTown Comedy, the largest South Asian comedy show in DC. His comedy set includes talking about race, his Muslim background, marriage, fatherhood, and everyday conversations like dentistry and Ms. Marvel.

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - MAY 25: Comedian Dylan Adler performs at The Ice House Comedy Club on May 25, ... More 2024 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Michael S. Schwartz/Getty Images)

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Dylan Adler

Japanese American comedian Dylan Adler is someone you’ve probably seen on social media. From his songs about being a mixed Asian to having “Asian Trauma-Offs,” Adler can make you laugh through the tears because of how relatable it is. A former writer and comedian for The Late Late Show with James Corden, Adler has exploded in the comedy circuit with appearances on Comedy Central, at the New York Comedy Festival, and many AAPI shows, and as the opener for Atsuko Okatsuka’s shows. His hilarious stand-up includes his Japanese and Jewish background, his experiences living in New York and Los Angeles, having a twin brother who is also gay, relationships and friendships, and, sometimes, he’ll perform his spot-on impression of Lin-Manuel Miranda. He’s definitely one to watch.

James Mane doing a stand-up comedy routine.

James Mane

James Mane

Hawaiian-based Samoan American comedian James Mane may be among the tallest in the current comedy circuit. Standing at 6’7, Mane openly talks about his broad build– all thanks to his Samoan genetics, parenthood, and connection to his culture. He’s shared the stage with several comedy legends, including Dave Chappelle, Wanda Sykes, Ronny Chieng, Patton Oswalt, and Bert Kreischer. He has performed all over the U.S. at notable venues and comedy festivals. Mane was the first Samoan comedian to do a stand-up set on FNX’s First Nations Comedy Experience and can be seen in Adult Swim’s Decker and Deck of Cards. On his social media, he provides social commentary on current events – most recently, about the “100 men versus a gorilla” conversation.

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: Comedian Jason Cheny performs during the Laugh Factory hosts ... More Virtual Telethon To Support Families Of Atlanta Shooting Victims at The Laugh Factory on March 27, 2021 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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Jason Cheny

Taiwanese American comedian Jason Cheny isn’t afraid to call out things as he sees them. Whether confronting “arrogant” Asians who refuse to tell him their ethnicity or bringing up the Taiwan vs. China discourse, Cheny doesn’t care about being politically correct or even being nice about it. His set often includes his family and upbringing, as well as pointing out the absurdities in society. His opinions are his own, and his witty takes make him fascinating to watch. He’s toured all over the U.S., Asia, and Europe, and has opened for Bobby Lee and Ronny Chieng. He’s appeared on Comedy Central’s Featuring, Don’t Tell Comedy, and SiriusXM. He self-produced his comedy special, Jason Cheny: Taiwanese American Human, which is available on YouTube.

THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON — Episode 1859 — Pictured: Comedian Leslie Liao performs on ... More Monday, October 23, 2023 — (Photo by: Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images)

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Leslie Liao

Chinese American comedian Leslie Liao went from working for Netflix in their Human Resources department to being on Netflix’s Verified Stand-Up. The Orange County, California native likes to talk about what it’s like being single in LA, current events, dealing with crowd work, and will occasionally bring up her upbringing. In 2023, she was selected as a New Face of Comedy at Montreal’s Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, and has toured all over the U.S. with some of the biggest names like Fortune Feimster.

Lynette Manning doing standup comedy at Nate Jackson's Super Funny Comedy Club

Lynette Manning

Lynette Manning

Lynette Manning is Chamorro (Guam) American based in Olympia, Washington. She jokes, “I will tell you whatever ethnicity gets me a benefit, okay? " She hilariously talks about her racial ambiguity but clarifies her Pacific Islander background, often mentioning her family. Manning is relatable, and she draws the audience in by discussing the realities of dating, motherhood, and her everyday struggles and insecurities. She’s performed with an impressive roster of comedians, including Godfrey and Bret Ernst, playing at several comedy festivals and popular venues in the Northwest comedy scene. She made history as the first woman comedian to perform at the Washington Corrections Center in front of 200 male inmates, to which she says, “Hot,” admitting she’s not great at seeing red flags.

Ricci Armani doing stand-up comedy.

Ricci Armani

Ricci Armani

There have been several viral clips of a comedy show called “My Straight Friends,” in which two gay comedians test LGBTQ+ culture on their straight comedy friends. One of the co-hosts is Ricci Armani, a Filipino American comedian who likes to remind everyone he’s a gay Filipino man. His stand-up is clever, sometimes risqué, and funny, with many topics on his Asian heritage, dating, working in retail, and being among “the straights.” He’s performed nationwide and at many festivals, including the New York Comedy Festival and LGBTLOL Queer Comedy Fest. He is also a producer for the comedy collective group Parlor Tricks Comedy.

PASADENA, CA - DECEMBER 19: Comedian Shawn Felipe performs during his appearance at The Ice House ... More Comedy Club on December 19, 2013 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Michael Schwartz/WireImage)

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Shawn Felipe

Hawaii-based comedian Shawn Felipe is mixed French, Thai, Spanish, and Filipino – and “if I were a girl, I’d be very pretty.” He’s expressed pride in his Asian heritage and growing up in Hawaii during his sets. His skill to switch from his mother’s Thai accent to his Filipino father’s, then return to his native Hawaiian tongue, is impressive. He’s performed worldwide and has sailed on several cruise ships as their comedian. He’s worked with Russell Peters, Anjelah Johnson, and Jo Koy. He has been featured on several networks, including World Asia TV, AZN TV, AZN TV, IA TV, The Filipino Channel, Sprint Comedy-Time Network, and National Lampoon Comedy Radio. Beyond comedy, he appeared (and won) the Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race with Team Aloha Plate, showcasing his love for Hawaii. He has his own comedy special, Man Baby, produced by Dry Bar Comedy.

Shounak Vale doing standup comedy

Sleeping on the Job Media

Shounak Vale

Indian American comedian Shounak Vale is another one on the list who every Asian parent dreams their kid to be: He studied software engineering at the University of Michigan. Though Vale found a career in tech following graduation, he felt something was missing in his life: comedy. After discovering his love for stand-up, he began performing at local DC and New York venues. He says his parents have supported his journey, and he dreams of headlining his own Netflix comedy special one day. His set often includes talking about his family life (often being asked, ‘When are you getting married?), living and dating in New York, working in tech, and Indian (American) culture. He’s very blunt and honest, calling out the daily microaggressions and stereotypes he deals with. Vale is close to several South Asian comedians, forming an occasional comedy show called ‘Shounak Vale & Friends’ held at BG Club House in New York City.

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 06: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Comedian Tumua Tuinei performs his first of ... More five sold out shows at The Ice House Comedy Club on March 06, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Michael S. Schwartz/Getty Images for ABA)

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Tumua

While this Samoan-Hawaiian American comedian is popular on the island, Tumua is making waves as a rising star, reaching audiences across the ocean and touring all over the islands, the mainland, and the country. Born and raised in Oahu, Tumua takes pride in his Pacific Islander heritage, even calling his recent tour, The “Chee Hoo” Tour—a Hawaiian expression like “Woo-hoo!” Sometimes, he gets excited meeting other Polynesians in the audience, finding commonality with them, without making others feel left out of the conversation. He is currently on tour across the U.S. and has two self-produced comedy specials on YouTube, Strictly Aloha and Talk Story: The Crowd Work Special.

Be sure to check out all these AAPI comedians!

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