Check Out Angel Gaines’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angel Gaines.

Hi Angel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my Hollywood dreams by participating in Beauty Pageants. I was in pageants for 11 years and held the title of Miss Savannah 1998. During that time, I was a freshman at the University of Georgia, where I started performing standup up comedy. I knew I was funny because I had made audiences laugh before during my pageant answers and also my friends at the movie theater where I worked in high school, so I took the chance to sign up for a talent show to actually sing! But when I heard the other ladies in the show sing before me, I was like oh no I am not that good, so I asked the host to change my talent to comedy. I had no idea what I would say, I had no act, because I knew that if they introduced me as a comedian, the audience would boo me, and I could just sit down, instead of a quit the show! Genius idea, right? wrong! The host announced to the audience that I was a freshman and we need to be respectful and at that moment, my plan spoiled and I had to face the audience head on! I started with the comedy 101 jokes in the 90’s, which was something about Michael Jackson and the crowd was silent! Finally, a football player booed me and the crow laughed, I felt something inside me stand up and I think he had awakened the comic inside! I started cracking jokes about the football team and their losing record and low and behold the rupture of laughter from the audience and the new self assurance birthed a stand up comic, and I haven’t looked back since.

So fast forward, I graduated from University of Georgia with a degree in Child and Family Development and headed to Los Angeles to begin my entertainment career! During the day, I became an elementary school teacher and took acting and comedy classes as night. Time flies, I develop an act and get representation, and now I am a regular at The Comedy Union, The J Spot Comedy Club, The Laugh Factory, and an opening act at The Comedy And Magic Club for greats like Jay Leno and Arsenio Hall. I have broaden my performances on Cruise ships, Colleges, and Comedy clubs around the world!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Balancing a full time teaching job and comedy career was no easy hill to climb. I took my job very seriously and was award 2014 LAUSD Teacher of the Year award! So when the conflict arises where I had to choose my students or a road gig, it was so hard to manage. Also, I wanted to work as a clean Comedian because I always thought of my students seeing me one day on social media. I cared about the role I played in their lives as a teacher and influence.

Also the pay in comedy is very low when you start out! You get paid in food and drink tickets! Not to mention the scams I fell for from jankie promoters who said they would reimburse plane tickets or that your pay is less because they didn’t sell as many tickets. Lots of growing pains in this art, but it just fuels you with more material and war stories to tell the new comics coming up!

Its very hard being away from my family as well! They are all in Georgia and I am in LA. You struggle with thinking wow, what if this doesn’t work out, and I lost so much time with them. But their support and cheering me on for even the smallest wins, lets me know, we haven’t lost any time, we just spend more time in spirit than in person! They love me and show it all the time. My mother and father, who is now deceased, supported my dream since the beginning. I remember when I told them I wanted to move to LA after graduation, my dad handed me a wad of money and sent me off in a Geo Metro they also purchased. That’s why I made sure to keep a full time job, I felt our secret agreement was that I would take care of myself, on the level of which they took care of me. I didn’t want them to ever worry or wonder was I okay. I felt they deserved that peace of mind. My father passed and of course I spoke at the funeral and told a joke or two, but his support is how I made it through and navigated the industry with tenacity and boldness. My mother is still as supportive and even though she is a baby boomer and hates technology, greatest part of my day is seeing her learn how to text and still send us the most awkward messages like ‘hey I am texting you”

I find most difficult losing loved ones and navigating your career. I was just recently on a cruise ship and found out my first nephew passed away. I had just finished a show when I got the dreaded call. I had 4 more shows to go that week and I had to rely on my faith, and friendships to get me through. I called my Comedy Comrades for support and asked, “how do we grieve and perform at the same time?” And the consensus from all those I reached out to was, “We just remember to ride the wave, and know that some in your audience are grieving too, and here is your opportunity to spread joy to yourself and others!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m proud of my body of work! I have filmed NFL commercials, acted in short films that made it to festivals. I am a voice over artist and singer. I am currently cruising around the world performing and also I teach comedy to up and coming comedians. I am so proud to be a life and career coach where I mentor and guide artist through their journey. I truly feel to whom much is given, much is required and I want to do it all. Use all my gifts and talents to leave a mark on the world for others to feel bold enough to find their light. I have a Dry Bar Comedy Special and many podcast appearances. But I must say I feel my true legacy will center around the many boys and girls I had the privilege of teaching for the last 25 years, that I will be in their stories and be an influence that lives on in them. I am still in touch with my elementary students who are now beautiful adults. It is the greatest feeling when they find me to say hi! I will always cherish them!

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice to newbies! 1. You got to do life on life’s terms! Be open to detouring from your plans and when you have the option, take the scenic route! 2. Take as many classes as you can about everything! Artist need information to create!
3. Don’t be afraid to get your heart broken, it opens up parts of you that are wonderful! 4. Always ask for what you want! and 5. Make loving yourself a daily ritual!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.angelgaines.com
• Instagram: @theangelgaines
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angel.gaines
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AngelGainesComedianandEducator

Image Credits
1. Long Beach Laugh Factory
2. Comedy and Magic Club
3.Dry Bar Comedy
4. UTSA Roadrunner productions

all the others are my photos