5 Questions with Hirzi Zulkiflie

 

Hirzi Zulkiflie is a leading personality in the Singaporean LGBTQI community, who came to fame as one half of a YouTube comedy series Munah and Hirzi between 2007 and 2018.

Since then, he’s continued as a solo artist, crossing over into conventional media as the star of BBC’s Stupid Man, Smart Phone, and hosting Comedy Central’s latest series of Stand Up, Asia.

Hirzi was the first Malay Muslim ambassador for Singapore’s Pink Dot festival and is frequently outspoken in addressing the repressive nature of Singaporean anti-queer laws.

 
 

Hirzi’s debut Australian appearance will be at Spice Night (Feb 20–23 in Melbourne, Sydney, Riverside Theatres Parramatta and Queanbeyan). He will be appearing in an all-Asian line-up alongside Queen of Malaysian Comedy Joanne Kam, India’s only out gay stand-up Navin Noronha and Filipino-Australian shooting star Margot Tanjutco.

Book tickets here.

 

No.1

Can you tell me about your involvement with Spice Night? How did it come about?

I am what you call in the stand-up scene, “Comedy Insurance”. Also known as “the punching bag”—next to my Malaysian comedy pimp mama Joanne Kam, that is. Can’t wait to hear her jokes about Singaporean food. Of course, I’m kidding! That’s how we show love.

Seriously speaking, I hope I do a decent job repping Singapore in this stellar line up, of which I’m probably the most green. I’m super honoured as this will be my first show in Australia, and I can’t wait to bring dishonour to my country. My mum would be most familiar.

And as to how my involvement came about… Tinder. The producer swiped right. I made sure it was a Super Like, so he’d notice me. I’M KIDDING. I don’t actually know how he stumbled upon my work; I have this tendency to follow strangers all over the world. But he’s also good friends with Mama Kam, so she may have put in a word or two.

No.2

You’ve gained huge visibility as a YouTube star in Singapore. Coming from a country where there is a tight leash on media through censorship, how do you navigate potentially compromising content [in Singapore]?

A lot of crying, really. 

Honestly, as a comic you ALWAYS need to read your audience and their house rules. I especially LOVE the house rules! BECAUSE THAT’S WHEN I KNOW WHERE TO GO WITH MY SET… (insert cheeky emoji)! Over time, I’ve learnt that that’s my style. I make people sit on the edge of their seats and risk offending them for laughter instead. 

And I always describe my style as, “I know where the line is. I don’t cross it. I’ll just step right behind it by just enough…” To me, that’s how change starts in society. Somebody must test the waters, but be careful enough not to get scalded in the process. Comedy to me is politics made entertaining.

No.3

As with any personality with a large online presence, you’re bound to have more than a few detractors, in particular those who see your Muslim faith as being in conflict with your stance to repeal Section 377A. What are your tips around dealing with negative comments, and how do you preserve your mental health amongst it all?

Conditioning. I grew up with an emotionally blackmailing mum. I’m kidding! She’s lovely.

My best advice is this: know yourself well and understand where your sentiments come from, regardless of how unconventional they are with people. A really good artist knows that other people’s opinions of them don’t weigh more than the self-love they have for themselves.

But I’ll also say that accepting that we are not perfect, and that we all have room for growth, new knowledge and self-improvement, is just as important. When we develop too much ego around ourselves and our craft, that’s when people’s opinions start to matter because our defenses are up.

When I sift through negative comments, I find that many can be non-constructive, but many also serve as feedback I never saw coming. Like now I know for a fact that I can’t sing! So it’s crucial to find that middle ground. Love ourselves enough but not too much that we become a snowflake. This lifetime is God’s biggest comedy set. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Laugh a lot more. If we care enough about ourselves we should care most about our growth as an individual.

No.4

Where do you draw the line between being an influencer and a private person?

Quite frankly, I’m really just another regular person. I take public transport. I fly economy. I prefer eating at hawker centres. Even if the day comes that I become filthy rich, I don’t care for who I am.

Of course, I know I have followers who support my career and craft, but they are not a currency to me or my status. I am but a salesman selling my comedy; my audience are my customers.  

And I’m saying this because people always seem to get shocked that I too have the capacity to express my emotions. Like when I’m mad at someone for bad customer service, for obstructing my path on the escalator or when they cough in my face. They get offended that I’d have the audacity to tell them off because they know me as a public figure! But the truth is, I don’t care. I don’t belong to the public domain; my craft does! Hirzi is a person. Hirzi can say he’s mad or upset—I don’t have to be the industry’s or the public’s doormat. I am Meghan Markle!

As I said, I sell my comedy to people. You like it? You buy it. Sometimes it’s even free—the more I don’t owe anyone anything! My product is what I’m selling. Not my person.

No.5

What’s next in the pipeline for Hirzi?

This show. Come!

Photograph / Provided

Photograph / Provided

Book tickets to Spice Night.

Leah McIntosh