When this comedian first began telling jokes into a microphone, she was immediately considered one of the hottest rising comedians in all of comedy. By the mid-2010s, not only has her brand of comedy been seen internationally as part of the USO comedy tour; she’s also been featured on ABC, Style Network, SiTV, and NBC’s The Last Comic Standing. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Rosie Tran. The New Orleans, LA native shares with us some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how she owns the laughs.
Name: Rosie Tran
Hometown: New Orleans LA/ Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @OutoftheboxRosie (Instagram) @FunnyRosie (Twitter/Facebook)
Years in Comedy: 18
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Last Comic Standing, SiTV, Style Network, & ABC
Comedic Influences: Caroline Rhea, Joan Rivers, & Lisa Lampinelli
Favorite City to Perform In: Anywhere with a stage.
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Just my point of view.
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Any crowd that is open-minded with a good sense of humor.
Favorite Comedy Club: Ontario Improv
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I was very shy growing up. I dated a guy who wanted to be a comedian and some of his jokes didn’t work. I started telling him “say it like this” or “say it like that” and he would get laughs. After we broke up, I thought maybe I should try it, and I found I was a better comedian than I thought.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
How natural it was for me. I didn’t realize I had that inside of me to be a performer.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Just me. I was never a stand-up fan growing up, and I think that was a blessing because I wasn’t “influenced” really by anyone. When I started stand-up, I just developed my own style from my mind. I noticed when I started a lot of people who were Pryor fans kind of copied Pryor. Robin Williams fans copied Robin, but I just copied myself! I started watching stand-up after I was a performer. So, I think my style is totally unique compared to most comedians.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I just write what I think is funny and try it on stage. It’s very trial and error.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
I started in Los Angeles but then went back and forth between the LA and New Orleans comedy scenes, which are so different. I would say LA is not a good place to start bc it’s so competitive and there is so much comedy but it’s also an amazing place to start because I was able to see the best in the World perform and perform with them so early in my career.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
If you are making people laugh and being authentic. I don’t think financial success is necessarily a good marker because comedians who are saying something really different are not going to have broad appeal all the time. I know some brilliant open mic comedians and some pretty bland mainstream comedians that are really “financially successful”. I also know a lot of really hilarious mainstream comedians. It’s a strange business.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Yoshi Obayashi has been a friend since day 1. He is provocative and smart although sometimes his stand-up is a bit too much. Thai Rivera tells it like it is. He is funny and original. My good friend Aidan Park always makes me laugh. Sally Mullins, the porn mom comic is hilarious always.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
The things I remember are moments when I really overcame. I used to do a horrible bar show in a bad neighborhood. It was such a challenge – I think a comedian was stabbed there once. One night every single comic was bombing. The vibe was so rough. The bar was crowded but no one wanted to laugh. My goal was just to get on stage and get it over with. I was able to turn one person on my side, then another, then another. By the end of my set, I had the whole crowd and people were saying, “Hey, be quiet and listen to her. She’s hilarious!”. That was one of the most memorable shows I have had even after all these years. There were some celebrity drop-ins on the show and no one could turn them, but I did. I will always remember that.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
I have learned that there is no failure in comedy but giving up, unless you genuinely want to leave comedy. As long as you are learning, growing, writing, and making people laugh you are a success, and never compare yourself to other comics. I know comedians that look “successful” on the outside, but they are deeply unhappy and have horrible personal lives or struggle with addiction. Just be you! You don’t need to be the next star in comedy. You are a star just by being yourself and being funny.
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
On Stage? They love it! Off stage is different. I have had a lot of nasty reactions. I think a lot of people want to do comedy but they are too scared. When they hear that I do stand up, I have gotten a lot of jealousy and hatred. Some people are amazing, though! They want to know everything in a truly curious way, but there’s also been nasty comments.
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
It has been a roller coaster. I have had some amazing highs – performing for the troops, mentoring young (teen) comedians, getting to perform with the top talent in the World, and some real lows – my main storyline was cut out of a few big comedy shows. I was cast in certain projects only to be replaced for nepotism (i.e. the producer’s girlfriend). It’s been a bumpy ride!
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
I would change the whole agency system. I am not sure how certain people seem to be “hand picked” to make it, but they are missing out on some real talent. I know so many funny comics that should be more successful. I wish agents and managers would work harder to find the truly unique talent out there.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Find your audience, build your brand. I am just doing this now years after I should have. I have seen so many comics do this earlier and have great success with it. I guess I was a bit naive about the business for many years.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
Whose Bombing Now?
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any forms of comedy:
Laundromats, strip clubs, an office….(Laughs)….. you name it.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I would love to release a special and get more into comedic films.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I think comedy is going to a really amazing place and the internet is helping that to happen. It is taking the power away from the hands of the gatekeepers and allowing comedians to just create content. However, with that is an insatiable need for content. You have to constantly be putting out tweets, videos, etc. and it can be exhausting. Always pros and cons to everything.
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
Ontario Improv! I would do the Bad Asians of Comedy with Me, Yoshi Obayashi, and my friend Tony Vinh.
What’s next for you:
Performing as the World re-opens past COVID and doing my podcasts! I have like 3! (Laughs)
Why should a person always laugh at life:
.Because what else can you do?
Watch The Best of Rosie Tran at The Burbank Comedy Festival:
Follow Rosie Tran’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @OutoftheboxRosie/@FunnyRosie
Youtube: Rosie Tran
Personal Website: Rosie Tran.com
