Is laughter truly the best medicine? Navigating modern times with social media, politics, cancel culture, and life after a pandemic has become challenging.
On So Funny It Hurts podcast, self-proclaimed trauma queen and stand-up comedian Mikalah Gordon interviews your favorite funny people and explores the trauma that made them that way.
Laugh til you cry or cry til you laugh, conversations about mental health, may just be what the doctor ordered.
Mikalah Gordon: Mikalah Gordon made her entertainment debut as a Top 12 contestant on season 4 of American Idol. Audiences fell in love with her powerful voice and unique stage presence, and she’s been hitting all the right notes ever since. Her run on Idol earned her a record deal with famed judge Randy Jackson on Interscope Records, making her a household name. In addition to her vocal success, Mikalah has made her mark on the LA comedy scene with her edgy stand up performances, headlining at The Comedy Store, and The Laugh Factory. The spicy comedienne has starred on the WB sitcom “Living with Fran”, with Fran Drescher, a field correspondent for “The Tyra Banks Show” and “The TV Guide Network”, and served as a co-host on “American Idol Extra”. Mikalah has also proven a knack for the dramatic starring on the CBS hit show “The Unit”. She was recently a featured resident singer with Post Modern Jukebox in Los Angeles, and now you can catch this soulful chanteuse Wednesday-Saturday at The Cosmopolitan Of Las Vegas Hotel’s Rose. Rabbit. Lie. In addition to heating up the stage in Vegas, Mikalah is leaving her mark on the YouTube community. Check her out as Melania Trump on “Inside Melania” and host of “Idolatry”, where she gets to chat with former “American Idol” coaches and contestants.
This week, the electrifying Zainab Johnson joins us to celebrate her birthday and unpack life’s paradoxes with wit and wisdom. As we traverse her journey, she sheds light on her serene preference for nature, despite the shimmering allure of Las Vegas, and the resonance of her comedic genius at Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club. Embracing the eclectic vibes of Vegas audiences, Zainab illuminates the vibrant tapestry of her experiences, from the mispronunciation of her name to her pivotal role in the hit series “Upload,” where she weaves queer narratives and character depth with dexterity.
Navigating the crossroads of faith and technology, our conversation casts a gaze on the societal echoes within the virtual heavens of “Upload,” where earthly inequalities persist. Zainab reveals her introspective takes on the interplay between belief systems and advancing tech, offering personal anecdotes on adapting faith in the digital age. Tune in for a potent mix of laughter and soul-searching as we also touch on the post-9/11 landscape of identity, highlighting Zainab’s unique perspective as a Black Muslim woman in Harlem during a period of heightened Islamophobia.
Rounding off this episode, Zainab’s journey through comedy emerges as a beacon of authenticity and vulnerability. We reflect on the alchemy of turning personal turmoil into comedic gold and the liberating power of genuine representation. From boundary-setting tales over dinner to the courageous tackling of sexual abuse in her work, Zainab champions the strength found in resilience. Don’t miss the riveting discussion on her transformative “Hijabs Off” project, and prepare to be moved by her dedication to crafting narratives that resonate with humor and heart.
