Ricky Sim never envisioned a career in standup comedy during his youth due to his fear of performing onstage. “I was really scared to be onstage,” he recalled. Like many first- and second-generation immigrants, Sim’s concern over financial stability led him to practice law for five years. Today, however, the Queens-based writer and standup comedian uses his platform to challenge norms and address the underrepresentation of queer Asian comedians.

Photo: Andrew Max Levy

Despite starting his career in the industry around 12 years ago, Sim chose to take a hiatus due to the lack of Asian representation in comedy, which often resulted in blatant racism disguised as humor. Reflecting on that period, he recalls that most open mic nights were predominantly attended by white men, who would mockingly greet him with lines like, “Oh, look. The delivery guy is here,” whenever they saw an Asian participant.

Sim faced additional challenges due to his sexuality in a predominantly homophobic environment. Despite this, his desire to share his story, particularly about his mother and the gay Chinese-Malaysian experience, helped him overcome the scarcity mindset and embrace the uncertainties of a challenging career. “This is what my heart is telling me to do,” Sim remarked, deciding to follow his passion. In 2023, he performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where he presented his one-man show, “Coming Out To Dead People.” The show’s success continued at London’s Off-West End Soho Theatre and recently debuted Off-Broadway at Soho Playhouse, before returning to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as an EdFringe OffFest Finalist.

Reference:https://www.aaartsalliance.org/magazine/stories/how-ricky-sim-found-freedom-in-comedy