Meet Elvis Ali of West Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elvis Ali.

Hi Elvis, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started stand up comedy over a decade ago in Detroit. Then I moved around the country quite a bit, living in San Francisco, Portland, Austin, and New Orleans. For a few years I toured out of a minivan, playing small markets and independent venues. Between 2018 and 2022 I ran the Homeless Shelter Comedy Tour, performing at over 200 shelters across the country. It was a life-changing experience and made me think about comedy in less selfish terms; before, I used to think it was all about “telling the truth,” and now I think it’s all about levity. The truth will follow. My approach in the last few years has shifted more toward improv and sketch comedy. I really enjoy working with other creative people and hope to do more of it in the future. I also substitute teach—kids are the best!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being on the road can be lonely and living in Los Angeles is expensive. I’ve been fortunate enough to have help from family and many strangers along the way. If it wasn’t for that, I would not be where I am today.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a comedian with extensive experience as an independent artist. I’ve learned to book myself on the road and am known for performing in unconventional places. I even filmed a month of sets at Waffle Houses, performing in over 50 locations across the South—videos are on my website. I’d like to transition away from being so independent; it’s exhausting doing all the work myself, although I’ve learned a great deal out of necessity.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Being willing to collaborate and help others is most important. It’s the only time I feel like my life has progressed. Everything else feels dead.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://elviscomedy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elviscomedy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/comedianelvis
• Twitter: https://x.com/elviscomedy
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ElvisComedy
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/elviscomedy
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@elviscomedy.com

Image Credits
Rob Flate (RobFlatePhotography.com) and Everett Marc (EVMRC.com).