Disabled comedian Rosie Jones is a force of nature. You either love her or hate her. There’s no middle ground with this feisty young person. And she certainly takes no prisoners!
Speaking out recently, Rosie told one journalist that she certainly gets “more hate” directed at her than “perhaps any other comedian” due to her being disabled.
The comedy star, who recently condemned the “same old ableism” after she was inundated with abuse following an appearance on CH4’s Big Fat Quiz of the Year, praised the support she gets from comedy peers, including Katherine Ryan, Nish Kumar, James Acaster and Joe Lycett.
But Rosie also reflects on the negative side of her fame, stating:
“Of course, for all the support I do get, I get an awful lot of negativity and abuse too, perhaps more than any other comedian going right now. When you’re disabled like me, with a speech difference, that opens even more hate.”
Reflecting on why this might be, Rosie suggested that:
“Perhaps when you are disabled, society either feels as though it should feel sorry for you or else celebrate you for being a hero at the Paralympics. I don’t fall into either of those camps. I’m a comedian; I’m not particularly inspirational and I’m also not a victim. So, what am I to people?”
She added that these “trolls” are “angry at the world” and might feel triggered by seeing her “being unapologetically myself, swearing, talking about having sex and living my dream”. Rosie recently spoke out about being “proud to be a Gay, disabled woman”.
While the comedian, who is a vocal campaigner against ableism and frequently calls out trolls who attack her during TV appearances, says she has “learnt how to deal with it” and “rationalise it”, she says she “hates that my mum has to see it”.
As Rosie often points out, there’s a difference between personal preference and downright ableism.
Description of cartoon for those using screen reading software
The image is a caricature of comedian Rosie Jones who is holding a survey clip board and is talking to a neanderthal type male. He is wearing a white vest with ‘I hate Cripples’ printed on the front. Rosie is saying: “Final question Sir – do you hate me because I’m a strong articulate woman or because I might be Gay?!” The man responds with: “Duh?!”
Crippen Cartoons 
Posted by Poppy Hasted on 02/02/2024 at 15:07
The ‘Having Sex’ thing REALLY resonates with me – I have two children and was asked SO many times as they were growing up ‘You have two children? How did you manage that?’
Posted by Karen Fletcher on 02/02/2024 at 19:14
Rosie, you are a feckin star. Remember you’re from a place that has produced generations of intelligent, strong, independant women. It’s the harsh reality of life in the industrial North.