Today we’d like to introduce you to Candice Thompson.
Candice, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in Queens, NY and lived there for almost the first ten years of my life, then we moved to Cincinnati, OH. I’d always had the ability to make people laugh. It was the one thing I knew how to do without even trying. I remember my earliest joke was telling a complete stranger in the lobby of my sister’s dance class that I was 81 after she asked when indeed, I was only three. I got offered my first stand-up gig when I was about eight years old when the owner of an Italian restaurant in the city saw I had a whole room of his customers cracking up. But I had no idea I’d end up working in comedy. It didn’t seem tangible. I have always felt like I didn’t fit in and marched to the beat of my own drummer. I remember feeling like people were constantly trying to put me in a box that didn’t fit. I actually still feel like that. But I guess that comes with the territory when you’re a black person that looks extremely ambiguous in a country that’s obsessed with race. Comedy became a defense mechanism for me when I’d feel out of place. No one would notice how awkward I felt all the time if I made them laugh. So, that’s what I did. But even then, through all my years of being ‘the funny one’ in my social groups, I had no idea I’d try to pursue it professionally. Everyone in my family just worked a traditional 9-5.
Naturally, I followed suit. I went to college and graduated with a BS in Dietetics but realized about six months before graduation that I wasn’t so sure that would be the right move for me. I’m extremely insubordinate. Probably not the best quality for a patient care gig. The only thing I knew was that I was funny and came to the conclusion that if I was given this gift, it was probably not by mistake. So my parents let me live at home while I saved up my money and I eventually moved to LA with dreams of writing comedy for television. I fell into stand-up after a friend of a friend who was a comedian told me I was funny and should do some open mics with him. That was in 2006. A lot of grinding, quitting and many bombs later, I got passed at The Comedy Store December 2014. That was the first time all my hard work had been validated by an actual institution and the moment I absolutely knew I could make a career out of this. Things have just sort of worked out since then. And they had to because there was no f’n way I was moving back to Cincinnati.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not, but I’d say probably a lot smoother than many people’s journeys in entertainment. But I chalk that up to smart decision-making and surrounding myself with positive people. I never got caught up into drinking and drugs and I worked a day job for many years to make sure that I wouldn’t ever have to live in my car. That’s the responsible side of me. I was also never big on asking people for help. I’d rather get three hours of sleep every night only to get up a 6am to work eight hours at a job I had no interest in than ask a friend to sleep on their couch. So the sleep struggle was definitely real when I had to work a day job. That, along with bombing in front of your peers at an open mic that you waited to do for two hours, were regular challenges. The biggest comedy struggle for me would have to be managing my emotions. You have to have thick skin to survive. Comedy has a way of weeding out those who don’t really want it.
I quit comedy in 2008 after a producer told me my set wasn’t funny. But this particular producer had also hit on me previously. I had rejected his advances so, there was always the possibility that his words were just retaliation for me hurting his feelings…OR my set could really have been that bad. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. Regardless, I became really discouraged realizing that maybe I wasn’t as funny as I thought, in addition to having to navigate a career dealing with petty personal vendettas. I took some time off and tried other things like acting, writing and producing shorts. But the stand up bug bit me again at the end of 2009. It took a good friend telling me the truth while simultaneously hurting my feelings about wasting my talent to get me back on stage. It was a lesson in learning how to not only deal with my ego but everyone else’s. And I haven’t looked back since.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a stand-up comedian/writer/actress. When a pandemic isn’t happening, you can catch me doing stand-up multiple nights a week in LA. I’m a paid regular at The Comedy Store, Improv, Laugh Factory and Comedy and Magic Club. I also write for television. I was a writer on Lights Out with David Spade and The Netflix Afterparty. To date, my proudest moments would probably be getting passed at The Comedy Store. It’s pretty cool to see your name written on the wall next to the greats like Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock. But also my first late-night appearance on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ was a game changer for me. I did the ‘Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ not long after. I’ve also been in the podcast game for a while. I currently co-host a Spotify podcast called ‘Nosy Neighbors’ that just finished its first season that was really exciting to help produce and bring to life.
I would say that my unique perspective sets me apart from other comics. There’s not many artists that have the story of being a black, racially ambiguous vegan who grew up with both of their parents. I have more of a grounded, self-love approach to my comedy which many people think isn’t conducive to being funny. I get asked all the time “You’re not addicted to anything and your parents actually love you, how are you funny?” I can’t answer that but I hope that my story can be used as an example to show people that artists don’t have to be tortured to be successful or relevant.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
They can follow my podcast on Spotify, “Nosy Neighbors”. I also have a YouTube channel they can subscribe to.
They can follow me on social media: @jokesbycandice
And by coming out to support live comedy!
I’m constantly writing and have a comedy pilot I’ve written for myself that I am trying to get produced, so I am currently looking for a showrunner for that.
Contact Info:
- Website: candicethompsoncomedy.com
- Instagram: @jokesbycandice
- Twitter: @jokesbycandice
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGCSMTxZ6TvfPkQdmParryw
https://youtu.be/xVx-pK8_J7c - Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/28fb0MPwBQG3Ak69y6Kwys?si=Yy5XKHX_QWikSxOFDh8T8Q
Image Credits:
Troy Conrad The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Lance Bangs Andrew Max Levy Troy Conrad The Funny Dance Show (On E! network) Kelly Dwyer Andrew Max Levy
