Aziz Ansari has been almost completely absent from the public eye since last year’s sexual misconduct allegation against him. However, he’s beginning to step back into the spotlight and kicked things off with a new stand-up special. Aziz Ansari Right Now hit Netflix on Tuesday and in it, Ansari spends time reflecting on and addressing the allegation. (For those unaware, last January a story was posted to Babe.net anonymously claiming that Ansari had pressured her into sexual acts after a date.)
“I know this isn’t the most hilarious way to begin a comedy show,” the comedian said at the top of the show. “But it’s important to me that you know how I feel about that whole thing before we share this night together.”
Ansari continued. “There’s times I felt scared, there’s times I felt humiliated, there’s times I felt embarrassed, and ultimately, I just felt terrible that this person felt this way. And after a year or so, I just hope it was a step forward.”
Ansari ended the show by returning back to the allegation and how it changed him. “I saw the world where I don’t ever get to do this again, and it almost felt like I died. In a way, I did. That old Aziz who said, ‘oh treat yo self’ or whatever, he’s dead. And I’m glad. ‘Cause that guy was always looking forward to whatever was next. I don’t think that way anymore. ‘Cause I’ve realized it’s all ephemeral. All that stuff, it can just go away like this. And all we really have is the moment we’re in and the people we’re with.”
Here’s a trailer for the special:
