Nicole Scherzinger, Tia Carrere join Pinoys in cheering for Jo Koy as Golden Globes host

Jo Koy arrives at the World Premiere of “Easter Sunday” last year, at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. He has been tapped to be the host for the Golden Globes, picked by producers for his “infectious energy and relatable humor.” (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File)

LOS ANGELES – Hollywood celebrities Nicole Scherzinger and Tia Carrere were among those who cheered for Filipino American comedian and actor Jo Koy when the Golden Globes announced he was going to host the awards show on Jan. 7.

A few days after the announcement on Dec. 21, Jo Koy posted on Instagram a screenshot of Variety’s headline: “Jo Koy to host 2024 Golden Globes Awards.”

“January 7 – This is happening!” wrote Jo Koy.

Like Jo Koy, the Pussycat Doll legend and former X factor judge is half-Filipino. Image: nicolescherzinger/IG

Scherzinger commented, “Let’s gooooo Pinoy!!!” to which Jo Koy replied, “All day.”

Like Jo Koy, the Pussycat Doll legend and former X factor judge is half-Filipino. Her father, Alfonso Valiente, is Filipino and she often visited her grandmother in the Philippines.

Fil-Am Hollywood star, Tia Carrere, also chimed in with excitement, “What the what?! Congrats Jo!!” and added, “About damn time!”

Carrere played a lead role in the Steven Spielberg-produced movie “Easter Sunday,” a comedy based on Jo Koy’s life. She played Tita Theresa, Jo Koy’s feisty, glammed up auntie.

Known for her iconic breakthrough role in “Wayne’s World” and her femme fatale character in “True Lies” opposite Arnold Schwarzenneger, Carrere has always taken pride in her Filipino heritage.

Commenting on Jo Koy’s post, several fans asked the comedian to wear a Barong Tagalog, while others asked him to imitate his mom calling him “Josep.”

Known for her iconic breakthrough role in “Wayne’s World” and her femme fatale character in “True Lies” opposite Arnold Schwarzenneger, Carrere has always taken pride in her Filipino heritage. Image: tiacarrere/IG

Many commenters said they never watch awards shows, but they will tune in for sure just to see Jo Koy host the show.

Not surprisingly, some fans couldn’t pass up the chance to make Chris Rock slap jokes, asking Jo Koy to be careful not to get slapped on stage.

Pinoy pride

What stands out as a common theme in the comment thread is Filipino pride, which Jo Koy will elevate on a global scale when he hosts the awards show watched by millions in more than 200 countries.

“Representation matters. We have a Pinoy hosting the Golden Globes, can you believe that?! This is epic!,” said Janet Nepales, the first Filipina to join the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), which founded and produced the Golden Globes for eight decades until the new owners took over this year.

“The whole world is watching and it’s about time a Filipino talent is highlighted on the global stage.”

When Jo Koy steps on the stage of the International Ballroom of The Beverly Hilton, it will be the first time that a Fil-Am comedian-actor will be hosting the Golden Globes in its 80-year history, added Nepales, who continues to be a voting member of the Golden Globes.

First Fil-Am to host Hollywood’s Party of the Year

Nepales and her husband Ruben, the first Filipino chair of the HFPA, suggested Jo Koy when the search was underway for 80th Golden Globes host, but actor and comedian Jerrod Carmichael was tapped instead.

“So you can imagine how excited we were when we got a call that morning, before the official announcement was released, that Jo Koy will host the 81st Globes!” Ruben Nepales said.

“He makes history as the first Filipino American to preside over Hollywood’s Party of the Year and the first Fil-Am to host a major awards show.”

Janet and Ruben Nepales the first Fil-Am officers of the HFPA, suggested Jo Koy when the search was underway for 80th Golden Globes host, but actor and comedian Jerrod Carmichael was tapped instead. CONTRIBUTED

The legends – Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin – were unofficially the first hosts of the Globes in 1958, when, as Hollywood lore has it, the “Rat Pack” icons, reportedly carrying whiskey glasses and holding cigarettes, spontaneously went on stage and started giving the awards.

“So, in a way, Jo Koy becomes part of that Tinseltown story. But the practice of having celebrity hosts did not begin until many years later,” he said.

Jo Koy joins a stellar list of talents who have hosted the show that honors excellence in film and television, including Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Sandra Oh, Ricky Gervais, Andy Samberg, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon, Faye Dunaway, Jacqueline Bisset, Pierce Brosnan, Cybill Shepherd, William Shatner, Charlton Heston and Raquel Welch.

“As a Filipino voter of the Golden Globe Awards, I am stoked that a Pinoy and Asian will take center stage when Hollywood’s finest gathers at the International Ballroom of The Beverly Hilton,” Nepales said.

‘Laugh-out-loud from beginning to end’

The show’s producers are excited to bring Jo Koy’s unique charm, energy and unpredictable humor to kick off Hollywood’s award season.

“Jo’s genuine brand of comedy is sure to entertain our honorees in the room at the Beverly Hilton and viewers at home,” said executive producing showrunners Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner in a statement.

“We are excited to work with him to make this year’s show laugh-out-loud from beginning to end.”

Jo Koy is the first Fil-Am to host Hollywood’s Party of the Year. Image: jokoy/IG

Weiss and Kirshner most recently served as producers of the 95th Academy Awards (the Oscars). They have produced dozens of live television specials, including The Primetime Emmy Awards, Super Bowl halftime shows, Tony Awards, and presidential inaugurations, including President Biden’s in 2021.

Jo Koy is widely recognized as a leading stand-up comedian, actor and author. His uniquely relatable comedy pulls inspiration from his colorful family, and has reached audiences of all kinds and translated into sold-out arenas around the world.

His recent “Funny Is Funny World Tour” broke sales records at some of the most prestigious venues around the world. Previously, he released five highly-rated stand-up specials on Comedy Central and Netflix, including his most recent Netflix special, Live From The Los Angeles Forum.

Jo Koy starred in the Universal Picture film Easter Sunday, based on his own experiences and stand up comedy. He has also appeared in Disney’s Haunted Mansion and voiced the character Bendoin Netflix’s animated film Monkey King.

He will next be voicing the character of The Monkey King in the animated feature film, Tiger’s Apprentice premiering on Paramount+ February 2, 2024.

The 81st Golden Globes will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Sunday, Jan. 7.