Chinese comedian He Huang usually pokes fun at her own life but has temporarily become a man for her latest show.
By Ara Jansen
He Huang never knew comedy could be a job.
Born and raised in China, she studied politics in the United States so she could return home to be a public servant. During her first job for an American aid contractor, He realised she was never going to be able to change the world.
“Maybe it was my family, but I always looked towards public service,” say He. “It was just this sense I was born with. But after five years of working in that space I wanted to kill myself. There was so much unnecessary spending it made me question my decision.
“The system was too big to be changed as an individual and I didn’t want to be party to that. Some of my friends just sucked that up but I couldn’t be that person.”
Thoroughly disillusioned, He quit and promised her parents if she didn’t have success in the next two years exploring her newly found interest in stand-up comedy, she’d dutifully return home and become a teacher or a politician.
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He moved to Melbourne and tried her hand at comedy, starting by sharply poking fun at her Chinese heritage, the confusion people have with her name (no, it’s not her pronoun) and other dry, deadpan gems from her life as a Chinese daughter and unmarried leftover lady.
In 2002 the unexpected happened, she went viral after appearing on Australia’s Got Talent. The clip racked up more than eight million views in less than a month and now has more than 60 million. It made her a viral sensation and scored her an agent in Los Angeles, launching her comedy career worldwide.
“I was almost ready to quit comedy and then then that happened. Suddenly I was getting bigger and more prestigious gigs.”
He has become part of a very small group of Chinese women succeeding at comedy in the West and quips she’s probably one of the few with a master’s as well. Now in her most ambitious show yet, the self-confessed low energy comedian has bought a suit and tie and has come out as a man for her show at the 2025 Perth Comedy Festival, White Man’s Burden.
It’s a cultural satire where she reveals that white men have a lot to answer for but perhaps have also had a lot put on their shoulders.
“A year ago, I would not have dared make fun of white men, but now, things have changed. The idea of me doing this is absurd enough.
“It’s my first time trying something like this – taking on a character – and I thought it would be a challenge and something different. The hardest part is to keep my voice right and keep the energy up.”
He now travels constantly and performs all over the world as well as taking classes in voice coaching, character creation and acting. In her 30s she’s unmarried and while she’s still exploring Melbourne, she’s looking around for the city which inspires her the most creatively.
The Perth Comedy Festival runs from 21 April – 18 May. Tickets and full program from www.perthcomedyfestival.com
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