Actor and comedian Ali Wong discusses #MeToo: ‘I’m just not ready to share all that stuff yet’

‘There has been not-great stuff that’s happened’

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Comedian and actor Ali Wong has outlined how the #MeToo movement has affected the comedy scene.

In a new interview with The Guardian, the star of romantic comedy Always Be My Maybe opened up about how comedy has changed in light of the growth of the #MeToo movement.

During the discussion, Wong was asked whether she has ever suffered sexual harassment in the workplace.

“I think I’m just not ready to share all that stuff yet, but of course there has been not-great stuff that’s happened,” the 37-year-old responded.

In light of recent allegations of sexual harassment made against several high-profile male figures in the comedy industry, Wong said she believes jokes that mock women, which may have been perceived as humorous in the past, now wouldn't receive as positive a reception.

“In terms of how things have changed, I guess nowadays the culture has changed, so that when people do some joke that you’ve heard before about women being ‘naggy’ or something, it just feels dated,” she said.

“A lot of material that would make fun of women that used to be maybe kind of funny doesn’t feel funny anymore.”

During the interview, the comedian also highlighted the stigma that continues to surround miscarriage by opening up about her own experience.

The entertainer explained that her miscarriage, which occurred during her first pregnancy, made her realise the extent to which it is still perceived as a taboo subject in today’s day and age.

“I felt a lot of things. I felt sad, but then when I had to tell everybody the news it was something,” the comedian, who has two daughters, said.

“Embarrassment is when you wish you didn’t have to tell somebody something, and it wasn’t something I really wanted to share with everybody but I had to because I had bragged that I was pregnant.”

Wong revealed that her openness about her miscarriage prompted other women who had been through similar experiences to reach out to her.

“It was very taboo for women to talk about miscarriage and it still kind of is,” she stated.

“Still to this day, people walk up to me on the street, thanking me for making them feel less embarrassed, less ashamed and less sad about having a miscarriage.”

For Baby Loss Awareness Week, which took place from Wednesday 9 October to Tuesday 15 October, The Independent published daily content to highlight the stories of people who have experienced pregnancy and baby loss.

To read about 20 celebrities who have opened up in the past about going through miscarriage, including Beyoncé, Gwyneth Paltrow and Michelle Obama, click here.

You can contact the Miscarriage Association helpline on 01924 200799 or email the charity at info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk. The helpline is open from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday.