Comedian Ronny Chieng Becomes U.S. Citizen Amid Uncertain Times

LOS ANGELES, California — Comedian Ronny Chieng, known for his role as a correspondent on “The Daily Show,” has officially become a U.S. citizen. The Malaysian-born comic shared the news during an appearance on Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast, highlighting the unusual timing of his citizenship.

Chieng, who moved to the United States in 2015, said, “It’s a weird time to do it,” referencing the current political climate. He explained that his decision to apply for citizenship stems from a long-standing desire to build his stand-up career in America. “I turned down offers to tour overseas all the time,” he added. “I have no interest in it, because I came from there. I’ve been trying to come here, so it makes sense for me to get citizenship.”

He expressed mixed feelings about becoming an American, stating, “It’s like you’re joining this evil empire, but that’s not why you joined it. The evil empire had some really nice TV shows and they do stand-up comedy in the Death Star.” Chieng also recalled being inspired by iconic American pop culture, from movies like “Back to the Future” to shows like “Seinfeld.” These influences motivated him to pursue a career in comedy in the U.S.

On the podcast, he shared a touching moment when he was congratulated by actor Bill Murray during a taping of “The Daily Show”. Chieng reflected on the atmosphere in the writers’ room during the Trump administration, noting how the ex-president’s influence has been a constant since he joined the show at the end of 2015. “This Trump thing is all I’ve known,” he stated.

He went on to describe how the second Trump term has heightened the chaos in the current political landscape. “It feels like being in an emergency room; you get numb to it because it’s always a car wreck every day.” Chieng also mentioned his disappointment over his Hulu series, “Interior Chinatown,” not moving forward, calling it possibly “the best thing I ever do.”

Chieng is currently working on a follow-up to his new stand-up special on Netflix, titled “Ronny Chieng: Love to Hate It,” which he says took about a year to develop. He emphasized the creative process with humor, stating, “There’s a lot of joy in the journey, a lot of misery as well.” The comic seems eager to continue sharing original content with his audience in this evolving landscape.