Comedian Vinny Addresses Riyadh Comedy Festival Controversy with $50 Million Sarcasm

Comedian Vinny has released a video addressing the controversy surrounding his attendance at the upcoming Riyadh Comedy Festival. In a highly satirical tone, Vinny clarified his role, stating he would not be performing but was invited by a member of the Saudi royal family. "I was just invited by one of the men in the royal family to just kind of join him for supper and really just hold him," Vinny stated, adding that the royal wanted to "celebrate our manhood together." He further elaborated on the financial aspect of his attendance, initially claiming he was offered $1 million, then $10 million, before ultimately accepting $50 million. Vinny justified his decision with a sarcastic quip: "Sometimes in order to fight the power, you need to be paid by the power." This statement appears to be a pointed commentary on the ethical dilemmas faced by public figures when engaging with regimes that have faced criticism regarding human rights. The video, uploaded on September 28, 2025, has garnered significant attention, with 355,600 views and 39,000 likes, indicating a strong public reaction to his provocative commentary. The comedian's unique approach to addressing public scrutiny highlights the evolving landscape of celebrity engagement and social responsibility in the entertainment industry.

the Guardian

‘Amoral, evil’: vitriolic backlash builds against comics who played Riyadh fest…

Murder by bone-saw, lashings for rape victims, punitive amputation, jail for satirists … these are the human rights abuses fuelling the fury now bein…