We’re looking forward to introducing you to Michelle MaliZaki. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Michelle, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
People often think my comedy and my stationery festival are totally unrelated — one’s about laughs, the other about pens. But both come from the same place: connection and joy.
My stand-up comedy business bridges cultures and generations, showing that humor can heal. And Pen Paper Palooza, a stationery festival, isn’t just a stationery market — it’s a celebration of mostly women-owned and artist-led brands, and a reminder to slow down and create.
What’s misunderstood is that everything I do — from punchlines to paper — is about helping people feel human again. And that makes me feel blessed.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Michelle MaliZaki — a Japanese American stand-up comedian, event producer, and music artist. I’m known as the Ichiban Mom of comedy, bringing clean-ish, cultural humor to stages across California and beyond. I’m also the founder of Pen Paper Palooza, a stationery festival in Los Angeles that celebrates creativity, community, and women-owned artistry. Alongside comedy and events, my song “Nap Time! by nap8sta” was named the official anthem of National Napping Day — the Monday after Daylight Saving Time begins. Whether it’s through laughter, music, or paper, everything I do is about helping people slow down, connect, and feel inspired.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I think my first real moment of feeling powerful was in the first grade in Japan. I had memorized a poem and recited it in front of my class — and I killed it! Everyone listened, laughed, and clapped, and I remember thinking, “Wow… words can move people.”
That moment planted a seed. It wasn’t about being the loudest kid or getting attention — it was about the magic of communication, of connecting through emotion and rhythm. I didn’t know it then, but that feeling would follow me all the way into stand-up comedy. Every time I make an audience laugh today, it’s that same rush I felt as a little girl with a poem and a brave heart.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Oh, I didn’t almost give up — I gave up many times! I wanted to be an actress growing up, but my mom wouldn’t let me join the drama club. So when I came to America for college, I finally took an acting class… in English. Which meant I had to read between the lines — literally, in a foreign language. My teacher told me I was a good actress if I didn’t talk. So I quit after one class!
Then I tried to be a copywriter. I went to big ad agencies on Wilshire Boulevard — no one hired me. I guess my English was still too creative.
Years later, a casting director told me there was nothing for me in Hollywood except maybe a Chinese laundry lady — a small part, and definitely not recurring. That one stung.
But then I found stand-up comedy — acting and copywriting put together! Turns out, I didn’t fail; I was just rehearsing for the punchline.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie in comedy is that women aren’t funny. People still say that! And yes, there are more famous male comedians — but that’s mostly because there are way more men doing comedy. Percentage-wise, women are hilarious!
The truth is, “funny” is subjective. What makes one person laugh might not land with another — and that’s okay. I don’t need to be everyone’s cup of tea; I’m more like a strong kombucha.
I think audiences are finally starting to see that women bring a different kind of funny — honest, layered, and fearless. We’re not just telling jokes; we’re telling the truth and making people laugh while we do it.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I’d stop internet surfing — seriously! I love reading and I get sucked in so easily. One minute I’m researching fountain pen ink, and three hours later, I’m reading about sea turtle migration patterns.
I already have more information than I’ll ever use. If I only had ten years left, I’d spend them creating, performing, and connecting — not scrolling.
Then again… it’s 2025. There’s probably internet in the afterlife. So maybe I’ll just bookmark everything — just in case.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michellemalizaki.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mmalizaki
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmalizaki/
- Facebook: www.instagram.com/mmalizaki
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mmalizaki
- Other: New podcast :Nihongo to English
https://nihongotoenglish.buzzsprout.comJapanese America, a Japanese American National Museum’s podcast :
https://www.janm.org/podcasts/japanese-america
Image Credits
Jun Hiraoka (taken at a temple in Japan)
