Katt Williams is no stranger to controversy, but even he admits there are moments when he should have exercised more restraint. During a candid discussion at the Vulture Festival, the outspoken comedian opened up about past jokes he made about Michael Jackson and expressed some regret for his remarks. While he didn’t specify which jokes he was referring to, Williams acknowledged how such humor can perpetuate harmful dynamics, particularly within the Black community.

“I shouldn’t have, honestly,” Williams admitted. “Some of these things are the reason the enemy decides to go ahead and let you be famous. It’s your ability to tear down your own kind, no matter how high they are. On the other hand, my job is to be funny first and to voice the opinion of a group that doesn’t get to have their opinion out there, right? So as a Black man, if you don’t love yourself, you don’t love me.”

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Williams reflected further, describing how his jokes stemmed from a place of personal pain and disappointment in someone he idolized. “Those were the jokes of a guy that was hurt, you know? By an icon,” he explained. Despite this, he expressed deep gratitude for the forgiveness and understanding shown by Janet Jackson. “The fact that years later, Janet Jackson said she still loved me despite the jokes I told about her brother is probably one of the most magnificent things. Just because, I say a lot of hilarious s**t. But it costs me every time. I’m never unscathed in these situations.”

The comedian’s reflections highlight the tension between his commitment to being truthful and funny and the impact his words can have.

In related news, Williams continues to spark debates with his critiques of the entertainment industry and fellow Black comedians. Faizon Love, one of his targets, has called for reconciliation and emphasized the importance of unity among Black comics. Time will tell if Williams revisits or reevaluates other material from his past as he navigates his outspoken career.