The stand-up uses her new comedy special as a chance to reframe the stereotype of middle-aged divorced women, with herself as the leading example.
In her new comedy special, Single Lady, Ali Wong takes an unabashedly humorous look at the realities of life after divorce, shifting the narrative from the tired stereotype of middle-aged divorced women as pitiful figures to one of liberation and celebration. Wong, who divorced her husband of nearly a decade two years ago, dives into her experiences with gleeful abandon, narrating her exploits with the same frankness she once reserved for discussing childbirth.
At 42, Wong has embraced the single life with a raw, fearless energy. In Single Lady, she sets the stage for a dramatic shift in her comedy, moving away from the traditional confines of marriage and exploring her newfound freedom. “I really went on a tear,” she jokes, referring to her post-divorce adventures, which she recounts with the same level of humor and detail as her previous discussions on motherhood and marriage.
Wong’s approach to her divorce and its aftermath is uniquely triumphant. Rather than portraying her split as a tragic loss, she redefines the narrative, celebrating the joy of independence. “Look how much fun I’m having,” she tells the audience, urging them to see divorce as a form of empowerment rather than a defeat. Through her lens, middle-aged divorcees are not cautionary tales, but women reinventing themselves, enjoying their second act without apology.
In Single Lady, Wong draws on her own extraordinary circumstances to make her case. Her high-profile divorce became national news, which she humorously describes as a “bat signal” that alerted potential suitors to her sudden availability. She lists her encounters with a range of men, from a famous film director to a 25-year-old who sent her a thirst trap video, painting a picture of the dating world through her eyes as a newly single woman.
However, the special isn’t just about her personal journey—it’s a larger commentary on the freedom she’s discovered post-divorce. Wong makes it clear that her goal isn’t to “trap a man” anymore. Instead, she revels in the uncharted waters of single life, experiencing what it has to offer on her own terms. The comedian is keen to portray the joy of being unshackled from societal expectations and the constraints of marriage.
Throughout her set, Wong encourages women to embrace their own journeys after divorce, breaking free from the idea that they should feel diminished or incomplete without a partner. By spotlighting her own audacious experiences and unapologetic self-discovery, she reframes the narrative and urges her audience to view divorce not as an ending, but as the beginning of a thrilling new chapter.
In Single Lady, Ali Wong doesn’t just tell jokes—she tells a story of personal reinvention, making it clear that divorce can be a source of freedom, growth, and fun. It’s a liberating take on a topic often approached with hesitation, reminding us all that the next chapter can be as exciting as the last.