An Inspired Chat with Julie Kidd of Long Beach, Calfornia

Julie Kidd shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Julie, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
I’m in my mid-sixties and have now been living in Costa Rica for over 3 years. This new way of life was definitely not on my Bingo Card… It was quick decision and I have not regretted one day of this life.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
At times, I feel like I embody multiple personalities. I’m a comedian, an author, a dancer, and a palm reader; each facet of my life beautifully intertwined. I’ve been passionately pursuing these arts for the past three to four decades, and each role adds a unique layer to who I am and I’m still going strong. I originally came to Costa Rica over three years ago to grieve the loss of my son. After a few weeks here, I realized that while it’s important to mourn, I also needed to focus on loving myself again and in time, pursue my dreams again here in Costa Rica. But, much to my surprise, there was no comedy and nobody was tap dancing where I was living. But rather than letting that discourage me, I felt a strong nudge, a calling, to create opportunities for myself and others. It took some time, and hard work indeed, but I’m proud to share that I am now hosting, performing and producing comedy shows, and I’ve just begun teaching tap dancing again! It feels like a rebirth and I am so grateful to share my talents. In my quiet time, I still write books and have published 7 books on Amazon since I’ve been living in Costa Rica. I also released a documentary that captures the journey of The Funnest Housewives, the longest-running all-headliner female comedy group, titled “The Last Laugh”. The documentary is currently available on YouTube and highlights our incredible experiences and the impact we’ve made in the comedy world. My proudest accomplishment recently is I performed a One-Woman-Show “Costa Rica The Musical” which humorously chronicles my life here. I sang parodies, tap danced, and played both guitar and piano, weaving together my passions in a vibrant celebration. And then, I flew directly to Los Angeles, California and performed my show at Flappers Comedy Club.This performance was especially meaningful as it coincided with my birthday, making it a truly unforgettable night.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Who I was as a child is sometimes difficult to talk about. At the age of ten, I was sexually molested by a stranger and then in a separate incident by a police officer in Placentia, California. I didn’t know how to share the shame so it stayed tucked away and it shaped me negatively and I became a bully, I am ashamed, but I believe that, in a way, that bully became my protector. Children aren’t born bullies; we become who we are shaped by our experiences. It wasn’t until I became a young teenager, as I began to grow into my true self, that I discovered humor and how much it could uplift me. It truly saved my life. Interestingly, even with the part of my past, I have a deep compassion for living beings. I’m a Vegan and find the idea of harming an animal, even a bug, very unsettling. I strive to nurture. However, recently I found myself in a troubling situation where I was scammed out of tens of thousands of dollars from a property investment that went awry. In response, I had to tap into that inner bully, not to lash out, but to stand up for myself. This time, the bully within became my advocate, motivating me to hire a lawyer and pursue a lawsuit. While I can’t share too many details due to defamation concerns, I can say that the quiet voice of that once-a-bully child is now fighting for me, reminding me that I have the strength to defend my rights and take action. And I did. Stay tuned.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I carry the weight of loss deeply in my heart, having said goodbye to many family members along the way; my parents, my brother, my stepsister, and most recently my son. The pain of losing a child is a grief that words cannot capture. I often spend hours revisiting videos and memories of him, allowing the tears to flow. There are days when all I want to do is stay in bed, but then I remind myself that my son would want me to keep moving forward. As I’ve grown older, I’ve developed a profound gratitude for my health and not take that for granted that health is wealth. I don’t want to leave this world without fully experiencing life, embracing my accomplishments, regardless whether they succeed or not. I hope to be an example for my grandchildren and great grandchildren, encouraging them to pursue their dreams with determination. That is what matters most me, to lead by example and inspire them to chase their passions wholeheartedly and with that said, my favorite saying that guides me is “practice beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard”. A reminder that anything is possible, no matter the skill level and even when we’re suffering. just begin the task, stay in the moment, and it will become to fruition. Everyone who has experienced success, had to first begin the dream.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Many people disagree with and refuse to discuss veganism. When I was younger, I enjoyed eating meat without giving it much thought, However, as I grew into adulthood, my perspective changed. For me, being vegan goes beyond health; it’s also about the heartbreaking reality of animal cruelty. I often dream of owning land where I can invite animals to live freely and show them love, including stray dogs and cats. I find it difficult to understand how people can consume what has been killed, knowing the suffering involved. Though this may seem off topic from my entertainment passions and interests, it’s a cause that is very close to my heart. I just wonder, if people have the knowledge about the ethical and environmental implications, how can they still think it’s acceptable to eat animal products? I hope to foster more conversations on this important topic so dear to my heart.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I often find myself reflecting on whether I’m truly pursuing all that I want to accomplish in this lifetime. I wonder if my passions are genuinely mine or if I’ve shaped them by observing others. Then, I remember a moment from my childhood when I was just four years old, and a thought crossed my mind: “I want to be a dancer.” Unfortunately, I never took classes as a child since I was raised by my father, along with two siblings, and it was simply not in the budget. It wasn’t until I turned 19 and began my dance journey and fell in love with tap dancing – and I began teaching tap dancing at age 27. At around 29 years old, while driving alone on the freeway, a thought suddenly struck me: “I’d love to be a comedian and make people laugh.” The realization filled me with excitement. The idea of being on stage, telling funny jokes and spreading joy sounded like an incredible adventure. Of course, I sucked for the first ten years… but I never stopped. I went on to win “Hilarious Housewives” comedy contest on ABC’s The View and other contests/accolades and still love performing to this day. I attended a a bridal shower in my thirties and there was a palm reader there that caught my attention, sparking a profound intrigue that has continued over the decades. I love reading palms and truly believe they offer hidden secrets, personality traits and so much more. Yet, as I’ve grown older, new ideas continue to emerge. I wake up in the morning with a book idea, and I get to it! Late in age, I’ve discovered my love of piano and began playing at age of 50. At 64, I picked up the guitar, and it quickly became an obsession and I have incorporated guitar into my comedy act. Each new pursuit has enriched my life, reminding me that creativity knows no age limit and discovery is a lifelong journey. Sometimes I think I’m crazy, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I often joke that in a previous life, I must have had no hands or feet because in this life, they are everything to me! My hands write books, hold the microphone, allowing me to connect with an audience, my hands and fingers play the piano and guitar to express creativity, and palm reading is all about the hands. Last but now least, my feet tap dance bringing joy to my performances and I love teaching tap dancing to anyone who wants to learn. Together my feet and hands play a vital role in my life and remind me of the incredible power of self-expression and entertainment. Never stop dreaming and pay attention to those thoughts of passion and intrigue, they’re there for a reason, and I promise you, it’s a good reason.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.JulieKidd.com
• Instagram: @Juliekiddcomedian
• Facebook: Julie.Kidd.75
• Youtube: @Juliekiddcomedian
• Other: TikTok: @Juliekiddcomedian

Image Credits
Julie Kidd