Josie Harrison, mother of Filipino-American comedian Jo Koy, admitted that she was hurt by the negative comments and bashing her son has received on social media after his hosting stint at the Golden Globes earlier this month. 

“If you love somebody and you know they’re hurt, it hurts me [as well],” Josie said.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, the Filipino-American mother expressed how hard it has been for her to see Filipinos bashing her son.

READ: Local and foreign celebrities defend Jo Koy’s hosting stint

“Nalungkot ako sa iba lalo na kapag nakita ko ang source ng naysayers, should I say, ay mga Pilipino. It’s kind of disappointing,” she shared.

Josie added that she has reminded her son that nobody’s perfect and he can’t please everybody with his jokes. She then reminded everyone that being a comedian and hosting for a prestigious event is no easy feat. 

“Ang masasabi ko lang sa kanila is hindi po napakadali ang magsalita ng ganyan [sa stage]. Hindi madaling maging komedyante kagaya ng anak ko.. Gaya ng sabi ko, ang isang komedyante, they try to please you, they try to make you laugh to make you smile. Yung yung naging trabaho niya nung gabing iyon,” she added.

Josie maintained that Jo Koy didn’t do anything wrong that night and he was simply trying his best to make many people laugh. She claimed that Asians shouldn’t bring down their fellow Asians trying to make a name in Hollywood.

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

“Jo Koy is a Filipino and I know he was doing it for the sake of the Asian group and I know he was proud of that,” she continued.

It was earlier this month when Jo Koy went viral on social media for the jokes he made at the Golden Globes which irked thousands of netizens. One of his jokes revolved around American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and her partner, Travis Kelce.