She was one of the brightest spots and delivered some of the biggest laughs at the 2023 Just For Laughs festival, now the world of comedy and it’s audience is hers for the taking. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Michelle Forrester. The Toronto, Ontario, CN native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Michelle Forrester
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, CN
Instagram/Tik-Tok: @michelleforrester on Instagram. @herphoneisdead on tiktok
Years in Comedy: 3
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Just For Laughs New Faces, Just For Laughs Originals, and Writers Room Sketch Show
Comedic Influences: Rosebud Baker, Taylor Tomlinson, Nikki Glaser, Steve Martin, & Mindy Kaling
Favorite Comedy Album: Rosebud Baker “Whiskey Fists”
Favorite Comedy Special: Taylor Tomlinson “Quarter-Life Crisis”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Josie & The Pussycats
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Veep
Favorite Comedic Character: Tie between Ilana Wexler from “Broad City” and Schmidt from “New Girl”
Favorite City to Perform In: Toronto
Favorite Topics to Joke About: I have two favourite topic areas: dark things everyone experiences but doesn’t want to talk about OR really niche inside jokes for the girlies.
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: I love an audience that’s there to be part of a shared experience – like we’re all in Eric Foreman’s basement shooting the shit with one another (Hyde can’t come).
Favorite Comedy Club: 3rd Floor Comedy Club in Montreal
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
Lots of childhood and adult embarrassment. Realizing that being funny was a way to diffuse awkward situations. Being raised on Family Guy.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I don’t remember anything except my drink order: A double Makers Mark on ice.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Dark and sarcastic, silly, simp-y, lots of misdirects.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I usually think about something for way too long and then force myself to write out why it’s funny. I send alot of unsolicited “is this funny” texts to my friends. Riffing with other comics about the idea usually helps as well. And then bombing with it a lot usually gets it to where it needs to be (or sometimes it just doesn’t.)
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
I am a dedicated member of two comedy scenes: Montreal (where I started) and Toronto (where I live now.) The Montreal comedy scene is small so it feels like there are less people to impress (because we all know each other really well), lots of audiences to get in front and a general sense of “we’re all in the trenches together.” I’ve only spent a year in Toronto but I am beyond inspired by the people I get to rub shoulders with, comedians in Toronto are multifaceted, fearless and hustling HARD. There is so much creativity and appreciation for creativity, which has help me stay focused and driven.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
This is such an important and HARD question. I have really come to appreciate comedians who are fearless onstage and online – people who know their voice and are unbothered by perceptions they don’t control.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Oh god so many. I am a huge comedy fan. My best friend Kyra Carleton is the funniest person I’ve ever met and I will take that to the grave.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
There’s so many more failures than successes and neither define you. Cut your ego as soon as possible – ego makes you do and say dumb things.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
Hopefully they are laughing… I think people gravitate towards humor so it has always worked in my favor. Men I’m dating either like it or really don’t. One guy said to me “You’re funny but in a way where you try really hard to be…” I guess I tried WAY too hard bc here I am.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
Existential.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
Getting paid more would be nice.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Learn to bomb with finesse… my friend Moe Singleton said that to me and it was very helpful.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“CLOSETED SIMP”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
One time I worked at a job where celebrities would sometimes make appearances and we had very strict protocols. One day, Olivia Munn was scheduled to come in and I was briefed probably 60x on the fact that once she gets there, she needs to be let in immediately and discreetly. I was busy letting other patrons in and completely didn’t recognize her when she entered… so when it was her turn, I started grilling her about her I.D because she was being so flighty about showing it to me… (Laughs)
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
In an abandoned pharmacy.
A Michelle Forrester Fun Fact:
I’ve won several hot dog eating contests.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I’ll perform on any stage for as long as they let me. The dream would be to write on a show (an adult cartoon would be insane) by day and do as much standup as possible by night.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Be authentic to yourself, master what you find funny and then get really good at showing people exactly that.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
On good days, I am really motivated by the way it has blended with other artforms. On bad days, that scares me and makes me feel like the market is oversaturated. Overall, I think there are more audiences for comedy than ever before and I think there will be way more opportunities to showcase the art because of that.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be and give a brief detailed sentence on the episode:
I am a die hard New Girl fan. I would love to see Nick Miller tackle influencer culture. Maybe the gang competes to see who can go viral first. Maybe only Winston succeeds.
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
What’s next for you:
I would love to go on tour (if anyone will have me!)
Why should a person always laugh at life:
It makes crying cooler if you can laugh after.
Follow Michelle Forrester’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Michelle Forrester
Personal Website: Michelle Forrester
