Héctor Alejandro Arzate
Lộc “Leo” Nguyễn says he really likes living in D.C. Similar to other young professionals, he moved to the region to work in the nonprofit sector after college. But Nguyễn is also a local comedian, and he says the District offers a lot of material to work with.
“Yeah, sometimes I do shows and the room is divided… Basically half progressive people and half war criminals,” jokes Nguyễn.
Nguyễn was born and raised in Saigon (now known as Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam. There, he says he learned his “entire” English vocabulary and understanding of American culture from the likes of the Disney Channel. It even inspired him to live in the United States one day.
“High School Musical,” says Nguyễn. “That’s what a boy dreams, you know? Just dancing and playing sports and girls around and just good vibes.”
Nguyễn describes his early education as ‘intense”, with 12 hour school days in Vietnam. So, he chose to become a class clown to get by – and it helped. He got a scholarship and student visa to attend high school in the U.S. But it wasn’t exactly what Nguyễn hoped it would be.
“I was in the middle of nowhere in Kansas,” says Nguyễn. “When you’re the only Asian in the school, there’s a lot of things that people ask you. You’re basically the representative of your race in the two mile radius of that school. So, you’ve got to come up with some funny clap backs.”
As he did in his younger days, Nguyễn says he used humor as a tool. However this time, as an immigrant in America, it was a defense mechanism. Those experiences motivated him not just to hone his comedic chops, but to chase his dream of becoming a performer. He went on to get a full scholarship for college before moving to D.C., where he’s continued telling jokes ever since.
“I think immigrants are hilarious. I always think the people that are dealing with the most kind of harsh stuff always come up with the best jokes,” says Nguyễn.
Since arriving on D.C.’s comedy scene just a few years ago, Nguyễn says he’s been trying to elevate not just his own profile, but those of other AAPI stand-ups as well. This year, in honor of AAPI heritage month, he’s put together one of D.C. ‘s first all-Asian comedy line-ups.
“We’ll celebrate every month but since the official month is May, we just want to capitalize that,” says Nguyễn. “We’ll take this to showcase all the talent that we have in our community.”
For comedians like Kim Villamera, who was born in the Philippines and grew up in Virginia, that’s a big victory for representation. She’s on the roster that will be performing at the already-sold-out “Noodles and Comedy” show that Nguyen has organized.
“I think you don’t really experience a lot of media that was reflective of my experience in America,” says Villamera. “Now, all these doors and opportunities are open for people of color… And I value that!”
As a plus-sized Asian woman, Villamera also says her comedy is an outlet for her to share her experiences with others. And using her identity in her sets can also be a tool to challenge the different forms of oppression that can come with it.
“I think that’s mainly where I get all of my jokes from, is being able to explain how I exist and how I can move through society with one liners,” says Villamera.
Demi Chang, a first-generation Chinese-American comedian from the D.C. region, says that performing with other AAPI stand ups has helped with her own sense of belonging. She’s a United States Marine Corps veteran who now works with the Best Medicine Brigade and HEAL*arious, two organizations that use humor as a mental health resource.
“My mouth always got me in trouble. So now I can use it to my advantage to make people laugh and to entertain people and bring people together. So I feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be,” says Chang.
She also argues that although some people may think they’re only being recognized for being Asian, they still have to be funny. So she’s glad that Nguyễn and others are putting the spotlight on the community.
“Comedy is a meritocracy where you’re funny or you’re not funny, and it doesn’t matter what you look like, how much you weigh, where you come from,” says Chang.
Nguyễn, meanwhile, says he’s just happy that he’s building a platform where people like him can get in on the joke.
“I really want to create a blueprint for all the comedians and other artists to see that you can do it,” says Nguyễn. “Don’t quit your day job now – but when you’re ready, you can do it. Just don’t do it now. Wait a couple of years.”
