Chinese ex-policewoman ‘Hotpot’ addresses workplace stereotypes in stand-up comedy
36-year-old who learned combat skills from monkeys in her village growing up as a ‘left-behind child’ uses comedy to help women fight abuse
A former policewoman in China is shining on stage as a stand-up comedian, sharing stories that address stereotypes about women in law enforcement.
The comic is also using the limelight to teach women how to protect themselves.
The 36-year-old uses the nickname “Hotpot” because of her love for the dish and her previous work habit of remaining anonymous.
From the age of 22 to 34, Hotpot was a border policewoman in southwestern China’s Yunnan province.
She was born in a village in the province’s Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture and grew up as a left-behind child whose parents migrated to cities for better jobs.
Her mother shaved her head for her to look like a boy to prevent her from being bullied. But she was still tormented by boys for looking like neither a boy nor a girl.
Hotpot said she learned combat skills from monkeys in the village and fought back against boys.