Why Some 40 Million People See Katt Williams as An American Treasure

It’s been a week since Katt Williams’ viral “Club Shay Shay” interview with Shannon Sharpe annihilated the internet, garnering almost 40 million views since its release. The January 3 discussion lasted nearly three hours, with Williams holding nothing back when it came to his upbringing, decades-long career and beefs with other well-known comedians.

It resonated so incredibly with viewers because Williams unapologetically told his truth, regardless of how wild or unbelievable or raw it came across—consequences be damned. By channeling his inner gangsta, he has endlessly inspired folks with quotable gems (“You having a natural allegiance to losers is not like you”) and solidified morality (“It’s God’s side and the other side”).

Yes, there’s a good chance some of his stories were exaggerated. Did Katt learn to read at the age of 3? Is the Illuminati actually a real thing? Did Harvey Weinstein sexually proposition him? Did he say no to $50m three times? Are weapons systems running off of regular wi-fi? However, what we loved is that Williams exposed the dark underbelly of Hollywood as an insider that outsiders have speculated about for decades.

Whether it was Cedric The Entertainer stealing his material, Kevin Hart’s orchestrated career, Steve Harvey trying to undermine the late Bernie Mac or Ludacris giving into the Illuminati, Williams explained his experience as a Black man in Hollywood.

There was something else we loved. He talked about the repercussions of holding onto his integrity as best he could, whether it was challenging the creators of “Friday After Next” to get rid of a rape scene that was allegedly included in the original script or not succumbing to pressure to dress up as a woman in films (with said pressure sometimes coming from industry peers like Martin Lawrence).

Williams also referred to sexual advances he’s had to reject throughout his career. He gave unabashed takes about the celebrity landscape in general, ranging from Kanye West (“I suspect that we’re pretty awful people if we say that somebody got a mental illness and then we watch what they do”) to Jonathan Majors (“I didn’t want to get with a white woman ’cause I was scared she might have me running down the street like Jonathan Majors.”)

Whether you agree with his approach, Williams brand of honesty is brazen and started the year off with a refreshing reset. One of the most visceral “Club Shay Shay” quotes from the comedian is that in 2024 “all lies will be exposed”—and he clearly has no problem setting that precedence.