Aziz Ansari Addresses Sexual Misconduct Allegation: ‘I Hope I’ve Become a Better Person’

He’s reflecting. Actor and comedian Aziz Ansari addressed a past sexual misconduct allegation against him on Monday night while onstage at the Village Underground in New York City, Vulture reported. On February 11, Aziz, 35, apparently told the crowd that he hopes he has “become a better person” after the controversy, and seems to have really taken to heart the accusations made against him.

Aziz reportedly told a story about a guy on the street in New York who said he loved his Netflix show — except, the stranger was actually talking about Hasan Minhaj’s Patriot Act. Oops! Aziz said the person seemed to then recognize him from Master of None and Parks and Recreation, but when the guy said, “And you had the whole thing come out last year — sexual misconduct?” Aziz said, “No, no, no, no, no, no, that’s Hasan!” — as a joke, of course.

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Then he reportedly brought up the story published on Babe.net accusing him of sexual misconduct, in which the writer told the story of a woman who claimed Aziz was allegedly “aggressive” and she “felt really pressured” to engage in sexual activity with him. He said he wanted to take the time to process everything, and that, “it’s a terrifying thing to talk about.”

He continued, “There were times I felt really upset and humiliated and embarrassed, and ultimately I just felt terrible this person felt this way. But you know, after a year, how I feel about it is, I hope it was a step forward. It made me think about a lot, and I hope I’ve become a better person.”

Aziz also said that after the story broke, a friend told him it made him rethink every date they’d been on, and the Master of None actor told the audience, “If that has made not just me but other guys think about this, and just be more thoughtful and aware and willing to go that extra mile, and make sure someone else is comfortable in that moment, that’s a good thing.” We agree — at least that’s something positive to come out of the whole unfortunate situation.