If you’ve spent any time watching stand-up comedy over the last decade, you know Jo Koy’s family better than your own cousins. You know about his son, LJ. You know about his mother’s obsession with Vicks VapoRub. But when people start searching for Jo Koy and wife, they usually hit a bit of a snag.
Here’s the thing: Jo Koy isn't currently married.
He was, once. But he isn't now. It’s a common mix-up because he talks about "family" so much that people just assume there’s a wife waiting backstage or sitting in the front row. Honestly, the reality is way more interesting than a standard Hollywood marriage. It’s a story about a messy divorce that turned into a genuinely beautiful co-parenting friendship, a high-profile romance with Chelsea Handler that broke the internet, and a guy who is basically married to his career.
The Woman People Think Is Jo Koy’s Wife: Angie King
To understand the whole Jo Koy and wife search trend, you have to go back to Angie King. She is a singer and songwriter, often performing under the name Nura Luca. They got married back in the day, long before Jo was selling out arenas and hosting the Golden Globes.
They had a son together, Joseph Herbert Jr. (the famous "LJ"), in 2003.
Eventually, the marriage ended. They divorced. Usually, in the world of celebrity gossip, that’s where the story gets ugly. Lawyers get involved. People stop talking. Tabloids have a field day. But Jo and Angie did something different. They stayed incredibly close. Like, "we lived together during the pandemic so we could both be with our son" close.
It’s actually kinda wild.
Most people can't stand being in the same room as their ex for more than twenty minutes. Jo and Angie? They’re best friends. He frequently posts about her on social media, cheering on her music career or thanking her for being an amazing mom. This is exactly why fans get confused. They see him posting photos with a woman and talking about how much he loves her, and they naturally assume, "Oh, that must be Jo Koy’s wife."
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Technically, she’s his ex-wife. But in terms of support and presence in his life? She’s a constant.
Why the Co-Parenting Works
It wasn't always easy. Jo has mentioned in various interviews, including his memoir Mixed Plate: Chronicles of an All-American Filipino, that divorce is a process. It takes work to get to the point where you can hang out without resentment.
- They prioritized LJ over their own egos.
- They kept their private business out of the press.
- Jo often credits Angie for holding things down while he was a struggling comic performing for five people in a coffee shop.
The Chelsea Handler Era
You can't talk about Jo Koy’s love life without mentioning the absolute whirlwind that was his relationship with Chelsea Handler. This wasn't a marriage, but for about a year, it was all anyone talked about.
They had known each other for years. Jo was a regular on her show, Chelsea Lately, back in the mid-2000s. There was always this playful, slightly antagonistic chemistry between them. Then, in 2021, they went public.
It felt like a rom-com.
The funny guy finally gets the girl he’s had a crush on for twenty years. Chelsea, who had been famously single and somewhat cynical about marriage for a long time, was suddenly posting gushy Instagram captions about how Jo changed her life. Fans were convinced this was it. People were placing bets on when the wedding would happen.
Then, in July 2022, they broke up.
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It felt abrupt to the public, but both have since spoken about it with a lot of maturity. Chelsea mentioned on various podcasts that while they loved each other, they just weren't compatible as long-term partners. Jo has echoed that sentiment. It wasn't a "cheating scandal" or a "betrayal." It was just... life. Sometimes two people are great, but they aren't great together for the long haul.
The Mystery of Tia Carrere and Recent Rumors
After the breakup with Chelsea, the rumor mill didn't slow down. People started linking Jo to actress Tia Carrere. They were spotted at events together, looking comfortable and happy.
Naturally, the internet went: "Is this the new wife?"
The answer? Probably not.
They are both proud of their Filipino heritage and have been friends in the industry for a long time. While they looked great together on the red carpet, Jo has remained largely single—or at least very private—since the Handler split. He’s been focused on his world tours and his film projects, like Easter Sunday.
Why We Are Obsessed With Jo Koy’s Relationship Status
There’s a specific reason why "Jo Koy and wife" is such a high-volume search term. It’s because his comedy is rooted in domesticity.
When a comedian talks about their "ex-wife" or "the mother of my child" with as much affection as Jo does, it confuses the standard "angry divorced guy" trope. We expect comedians to roast their exes. We expect bitterness. Jo gives us the opposite. He gives us a complicated, modern family dynamic that a lot of people actually envy.
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He’s also a massive star in the Filipino-American community. In many traditional cultures, the idea of "the wife" is central to the family unit. Fans want to see him settled. They want to see him with a partner who matches his energy.
What’s Next for Jo?
Right now, Jo Koy’s "wife" is effectively his career and his son. He’s in that rare bracket of comedians who can sell out stadiums globally. That kind of schedule doesn't leave much room for a traditional marriage.
If you’re looking for the TL;DR on his relationship status:
- Marital Status: Divorced.
- Ex-Wife: Angie King (Nura Luca).
- Significant Past Relationship: Chelsea Handler (2021-2022).
- Current Status: Single (officially).
How to Follow the Real Story
If you want the real updates on Jo’s life, skip the gossip sites that use clickbait titles about a "secret wedding." Instead, look at his stand-up specials. He is an open book. If there is a new woman in his life, or if he ever does decide to get married again, he’s going to talk about it on stage. That’s just who he is.
He treats his audience like family. And just like family, he’ll tell us when he’s ready. Until then, he’s just a guy from Tacoma who made it big, raising a son with his best friend/ex-wife, and trying to make the world laugh at his mom’s quirks.
Actionable Takeaway for Fans
If you're following Jo Koy’s journey, the best way to support his work and stay informed is to keep an eye on his official tour dates and Netflix specials. His narrative evolves in real-time through his sets. For those curious about the co-parenting dynamic he shares with Angie King, he often discusses the specifics of their "modern family" in long-form interviews on podcasts like The Joe Rogan Experience or Whitney Cummings' Good for You. These platforms offer a much deeper look into his personal philosophy on love and family than a 30-second Instagram clip ever could.
Stop looking for a "hidden" wife. The beauty of Jo Koy is that nothing is hidden. It's all right there in the act. He has redefined what a successful post-divorce life looks like, proving that you don't need a marriage license to have a functional, loving family.
Next Steps for Readers:
- Check out Jo's 2021 memoir Mixed Plate for the full, unfiltered story of his marriage to Angie.
- Watch his Netflix special In His Elements to see how he integrates his family and culture into his professional success.
- Follow Angie King on social media to see her perspective on their unique co-parenting bond and her own creative projects.