Why A Japanese Girl Became a Comedian #2
The summary of my life story, ”From a Godzilla lizard to Pink Unicorn.”
Part 2.
Part 1 “My childhood and background before the big bang” is here
Black Studies
An encounter with a picture of a Haitian kid was an omen of my evolution.
* I am not talking about WWE. （c.f. The Haiti Kid.）
It was the cover of a photobook shot in Haiti in-between coup d’états and earthquake.
And the country has been called one of the poorest countries.
But her big smile was stunning.
As if trying to find the answer to my question “Are you Luffy?”,
I couldn’t stop turning its pages.
The pieces of their vibrant and lively life shook my core.
Although studying African American history to learn hiphop so far, I was drawn into wider range of beauty in the black diaspora — it seemed all about “life.”
Black Studies led me to know African American comedians opening a crack in the racist era, such as Sammy Davis Jr. and Richard Pryor.
All black entertainment had elevated their suppressed feelings to splendid art.
My inner voice whispered, “Why not study it at HBCU?
HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) were originally established for African Americans before 1964.
It was inevitable to study performing arts in rich “ROOTS.”
I was the only Asian there.
They called me a light-skin Mexican.
Encounter with Standup Comedy
At Essence Music Festival during summer break, I was first introduced to my fiancé: standup comedy.
The hottest singers of the time came upon the stage one after another.
I was already overwhelmed.
Then a guy walked in without music.
- Chris Rock.
With my English skill at that time, I didn’t get the whole show.
But anyway, it was LIT!
Everything looked different from Japanese comedy:
A mature guy talking alone on the stage for an hour,
audience from young to old laughed out loud,
and… he didn’t go naked!
The laughter was the loudest music of the night.
I made up my mind to do this.
Big Bang!!
Japanese style comedian
I casually applied for a comedy unit in Japan as I came back.
The group had already appeared on TV and was looking for a replacement for a missing member. I got the role.
We soon got to appear on “Enta no kamisama (God of Entertainment)”, one of the most prestigious programs for upcoming comedians back then.
Honestly, I could not function well and was reprimanded everyday ―moral and sexual harassments included. (Don’t worry, it’s NORMAL in Japan!)
One day, we had a job at a “show pub” (like comedy club with more various types of comedians).
The leader suddenly told me to do the opening act.
He thought I was “underestimating comedy” and “should know the fear.”
I was forced to jump out to the stage, not knowing what to say.
I had never spoken alone in audience.
After 30mins, laughter and applauses fulfilled the room.
I got a regular MC/opening job at the show pub.
The next assignment from the leader was to perform alone at a comedy show.
He saw my set and said, “Your material needs to be improved,” but
“You had the best aura of a comedian.”
I came to start working as a “pin geinin” (solo act).
As my liberal spirit had been blossoming by studying in the U.S., I sometimes felt something not quite right in the industry as an “obscure female comedian.”
But otherwise, I convinced myself that I was on the comedy journey anyway.
Ir was true the destiny led me to appear on one of the most popular comedy programs.
English Standup Comedy
The more I worked as a Japanese style comedian, the more I noticed the differences from standup comedy in America.
One day I got to know there was a standup group in Tokyo and jumped in their open mic.
There were Japanese comedians already and one of them was even a senior comedian who has been very popular in Japan.
(He is still my real “comedy brother.”)
Although I was doing both Japanese and English standup comedy for a while, one day a Japanese standup comic from the U.S. recommended me to focus on standup comedy.
He also suggested me to get “speaking” jobs.
I quit Japanese comedy and signed with an MC agency.
Skills and experience in hosting and standup comedy always help each other.
My voice became my full-time job.
NY debut
Meanwhile, I broke up with an actor.
While he was moving to LA, I wanted to NY.
Honestly, I couldn’t stop mixed feeling every time to see his success overeas.
I decided to fly to New York to stand in a real comedy club.
The streets in NY were already in a Christmas mood.
Amid all this, I felt lonely, desperate, and cold.
But at my first club show, I KILLED.
I was looking great in the video, too.
I was convinced that this was the path to take.
Now I really appreciate this breakup.
Thanks to it, I got confidence that my jokes could work in the US.
They would have never been written without his sloppy dick.
Traveling Tokyo and New York back and forth for a while, I gathered information on visa and networked.
Journey
I made it appearing Asia’s Got Talent and Laugh Factory’s The Funniest person in the World.
But I spent a much harder time in Japan than I had expected.
First, the language barrier.
Second, there was no precedent in Japan for doing it professionally.
Last, this comedy, in which I express my opinions (point of view) sometimes going critical, does not really fit in with the nature of my country.
Because women don’t have voice.
There were many slanders and mansplaining in Japan against me talking about diversity, mental health, and feminism.
They said, “Are you trying to buy sympathy? I am advising you because I am rooting for you.”
Thank you.
Sloppy dicks are always my jokes’ material.
Interestingly, every time almost giving up, I got job offers such as TV shows and cruise ship. And fans over the world always keep sending me supportive messages.
I can’t stop feeling as if some great force is telling me not to quit.
During this pandemic, I could connect with buddys and mentors from all over the world via ZOOM.
They listen to my words with respect, which makes me feel secured.
I learned the world is waiting for more of women’s voice.
The reason I keep running from now on
By looking back over the past 10 years in the immigration process, my voice got clearer.
Currently there are more entertainment themed mental health or difunctional families such as Demon Slayer, Joker, and so on.
However, villeins having bad time are usually eliminated.
Heeey, here I am!
I am farting with joy every day!
And there are survivors everywhere!
Bad times can be nutrition for the future happiness.
I want to be a unicorn to speak up
and that Haitian girl encouraging you all.
Anybody can grow better and healthy.
I am sure I was born to be a comedian.
The fate would witness.
