Katt Williams Regrets Joking About Michael Jackson: ‘I Shouldn’t Have’
Comedian Katt Williams recently opened up about his regrets surrounding the jokes he made about the late Michael Jackson, admitting that his comedy routine about the “King of Pop” was too harsh and contributed to negative stereotypes against Black men.
Speaking during an interview at the Vulture Festival, Williams confessed that he was too forceful with his approach at the time. “I shouldn’t have, honestly,” he said, reflecting on the impact of his past comedy.
“I shouldn’t have, honestly,” Williams admitted. “Some of these things are the reason that the enemy decides to go ahead and let you be famous. It’s your ability to tear down your own kind, no matter how high they are.”
Acknowledging the Impact of His Jokes
Williams explained that, as a comedian, his role was to speak the truth for groups that often go unheard, especially as a Black man. However, he recognized that his own actions, in this case, contributed to a larger problem: “On the other hand, my job is to be funny first and to voice the opinion of a group that doesn’t get to have their opinion out there, right? So as a Black man, if you don’t love yourself, you don’t love me.”
Though he didn’t go into specifics, Williams revealed that his personal feelings about Jackson were at the core of the jokes. “Those were the jokes of a guy that was hurt, you know?” Williams explained. “By an icon.”
Redemption Through Janet Jackson’s Grace
Despite the past tensions, Williams shared a touching moment with Janet Jackson, Michael’s sister. When they met, Janet was gracious to him, which left a lasting impression on the comedian. “The fact that years later, Janet Jackson said she still loved me despite the jokes that I told about her brother is probably one of the most magnificent things,” Williams said. “Just because I say a lot of hilarious sh*t. But it costs me every time, you know? Like, I’m never unscathed in these situations.”
Williams’ Bold Remarks in 2023
While Williams regrets his past remarks about Michael Jackson, he showed no hesitation in speaking his mind in 2023. In a notable appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay“, Williams took shots at fellow comedians Kevin Hart and Steve Harvey, adding fuel to the ongoing tensions in the comedy world. He also predicted the current legal issues facing Diddy, making it clear that he has no qualms about addressing the high-profile figures in his life.
