Jimmy Kimmel’s tour bus skit has gotten him a whole lot of praise. But the Oscar host is also getting some blowback for mocking an Asian woman’s name during the Sunday’s movie awards ceremony.
Kimmel invited a bunch of unknowing tourists into the Dolby Theatre, who were star struck at the many famous faces they were seeing. When Kimmel asked an Asian woman for her name, she told him her name was Yulree, which rhymes with “jewelry.”
Kimmel responded, “your name is Yulree? I know it rhymes with jewelry! That’s some name!” Then, he asked her husband what his name was, to which he responded, “Patrick.”
“See, that’s a name!” said Kimmel.
However, some people on Twitter took offense and also threw Mahershala Ali’s name into the mix, which Kimmel mentioned a few times throughout the night.
“It’s not the #Oscars unless they make fun of Asians somehow. This time, it’s Yulree’s name. Not really laughing,” wrote one user.
“Names like Mahershala and Yulree confuse @jimmykimmel. He prefers a real name like Patrick. And I thought the #Oscars weren’t racist anymore,” wrote another.
A representative for Kimmel has not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment.
See reactions to Kimmel’s skit below.
https://twitter.com/altonwang/status/836055050858397696
@jimmykimmel Just b/c it's not a name that is "easy to pronounce" doesn't mean it's not a name. Yulree is a name. #yulreeisaname #Oscars2017
— Jane Kim 김세미 (@janesamikim) February 27, 2017
https://twitter.com/NickCho/status/836056424224477184
Names like Mahershala and Yulree confuse @jimmykimmel. He prefers a real name like Patrick. And I thought the #Oscars weren't racist anymore
— Sad NY Sports Fan (@chris_chewbacca) February 27, 2017
But like REALLY, Jimmy Kimmel? Making fun of Yulree's name? :-/ #Oscars pic.twitter.com/l2xz2zHHKv
— Jenny Yang (@jennyyangtv) February 27, 2017
the Patrick bit was not gold. Makes people feel like the "other". Anglo name okay. Asian name (Yulree Chun) not okay.
— paulinechu 朱葆琳 (@paulinechu) February 27, 2017
Pretty sure Yulree Chun is a "real name."#Oscars
— Mindy Jang (@MindysPosts) February 27, 2017
Hey @jimmykimmel – way to mock someone's name just because it sounds unfamiliar. The #Oscars insult #Asians yet again. ?
— Belinda Fu (@belindafu) February 27, 2017
Kimmel is so baffled by non-Anglo names like Mahershala and Yulree
— Rebecca Sun 孫洪美 (@therebeccasun) February 27, 2017
