She’s a Bay Area comedy favorite and Roast Battle assassin who is currently on the rise to becoming one of the genre’s brightest attractions. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Alisha Dhillon. The San Jose, CA native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Alisha Dhillon
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Instagram/Tik-Tok: @alishadhillon/@alisha_dhillon
Years in Comedy: 4
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Comedy Invasion 2 & Charmed
Comedic Influences: Louis Ck, Dave Chappelle, Shane Gillis, Nikki Glaser, Nate Bargatze, & Russell Peters
Favorite Comedy Album: Too many to pick one
Favorite Comedy Special: Too many to pick one
Favorite Comedy Movie: Harold & Kumar
Favorite Comedy TV Show: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, 30 Rock, & Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Favorite Comedic Character: Captain Holt & Dennis Reynolds
Favorite City to Perform In: San Francisco, CA
Favorite Topics to Joke About: British people, race, & society
Favorite Comedy Club: My favorite sets have been in tiny, grimy venues. My favorite was Parts Unknown via the Vancouver Comedy Ring.
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I’ve always loved stand-up; I remember watching Russell Peters and Dave Chappelle on YouTube every day after school growing up.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
The feeling after it’s an addiction I never wish to be treated for.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Blunt, subversive, and downright ridiculous at times.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
1% writing, 99% sitting down to write.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Incredible! There are so many hilarious, interesting folks that you’ve never heard of who you can stumble upon at a speakeasy and they’ll make you laugh your ass off
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Making a living (Laughs). I think this is different for everyone. Right now, my goal is to work enough to get better and be truly undeniable.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
I look up to Julie Kim. Her work ethic is something to be revered and written about. I never miss a set from Ashley Monique when I get the chance to see her. My Vancouver crew, which has spread out quite a bit, all inspire me (Jackie Agnew, Ravi Khanna, and so many other incredible performers were bred there).
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Winning the SF Roast Battle Championship was one of the best moments of my life. I had something to prove to myself and I got rid of a lot of self-doubt that night. A close second would be the opening for Akaash Singh in 2022 with one of my best friends, Ravi, as the MC; I’ll never forget that night.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
All that matters is your next set, so you can’t lose if you don’t quit. I would also stress the importance of being present and having fun, the audience can tell when you’re uncomfortable, and that shit is contagious.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
They’ll usually be in disbelief for a while or tell me about how they could also be a comedian.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
Step 1: be a delusional idiot. Step 2: Learn every skill under the sun because 99% of this is marketing and networking. Step 3: Never stop writing and trying new things because this industry is so hard and it can take so long to find success- you owe yourself the dopamine of new jokes killing regularly and that will also help you stay on this path.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
I really wouldn’t. There are pros and cons to every industry, and it’s our job to navigate, adapt, and rise to the challenge. I would love to work with more feminine energy, though. It would also be nice if the average gig paid decently, it can years and years before comedians start to break even let alone make a profit at this.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Try a joke 7 times before you discard it.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“Mazaki” It’s a Hindi word that loosely translates to “prankster”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I saw Ice Cube at the airport in Vegas one year; he gave me a head nod.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
Nothing really sticks out as the weirdest, but underground, bunker-like, speakeasy-style spots, a geriatric birthday, casinos, or a chamber of commerce.
An Alisha Dhillon Fun Fact:
People already know too much.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
Adam Sandler is living my dream. I want to employ my friends and tell hilarious stories on the screen and go on tour during my breaks from filming.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Steve Martin put it best: “Be so good, they can’t ignore you.”
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
For a while, there was a lot of censoring, and topics were considered taboo, which made for a lot of safe and deeply unfunny comedy. Slowly, the pendulum is starting to swing back—I think the Roast of Tom Brady was a great indicator that we’re headed into a new era, and I’m so excited about it.
What’s next for you:
I’m doing as many Roast Battles as I can physically do, and I’m currently writing 2 scripts that I plan to produce.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Laughing makes life worth living.
Follow Alisha Dhillon’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Alisha Dhillon
Youtube: Alisha Dhillon
Personal Website: Alisha Dhillon
