Known for her bold personality, quick crowd work, and candid takes on dating, modern culture, and identity, she continues to build a growing fanbase both on stage and online. In addition to headlining shows across the country, she has opened for comedians such as Michael Kosta, Rich Voss, Jared Freid, Dan Levy, and Ian Lara. She also hosts “The Elle Diablo Show,” a comedy podcast where she blends personal stories, cultural commentary, and interviews with fellow comedians. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Elle Orlando. The Chicago, IL native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Elle Orlando
Hometown: Chicago, IL/New York City
Instagram/Twitter/Tik-Tok: @Elleorlando @elleorlando @_elleorlando_
Years in Comedy: 6
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Don’t Tell Comedy
Comedic Influences: Daniel Tosh, Michelle Wolf, Sarah Silverman, Old Ellen Degenerous (lol), Louie CK, Norm Macdonald, Richard Prior, Nate Bargatze, Ryan Hamilton, & Mike Birbiglia
Favorite Comedy Album: Daniel Tosh “Puce”
Favorite Comedy Special: Honestly don’t have a favorite. I like so many for different reasons. All of Michelle Wolf’s is good, and all of Norm Macdonald’s is good. Happy Face by Ryan Hamilton is fantastic. I’ve watched it several times.
Favorite Comedy Movie: Superstar/Blades of Glory
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Curb Your Enthusiasm/The Office/Family Guy
Favorite Comedic Character: Anything Kristin Wiig does
Favorite City to Perform In: Chicago
Favorite Topics to Joke About: I don’t have a favorite
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: The ones that laugh
Favorite Comedy Club: The Comedy Cellar
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
By watching Billy Madison in 3rd grade.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
That I knew without a doubt this is what I was meant to do.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Silly & Dumb with an edge.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I sit at a desk and write. I normally don’t hit on anything. Sometimes I do. But the real writing comes later when I’m doing stuff later in the day with my hands specifically, and my subconscious starts untangling the things I was working on earlier.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
New York Scene is brutal. It takes a lot of effort to break into the scene. I love it because it forces you to be the best comedian you can be at that time, but it’s not easy.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
When you’re able to overcome the pressure and have fun, stay focused on yourself and on creating, and if you have supportive friends who genuinely want the best for you and are happy when you win. also if your rent is paid.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Stewart Fullerton & Caroline Banewicz.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Getting passed at the cellar and selling out my shows in Chicago.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
Opportunities are endless, and you have no idea where your career will take you. All you can do is work hard and have fun. If you’re doing that, then you can never fail.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
I think they act normally for the most part.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
I’m still building, but ignorance is bliss.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
I wish comedy clubs wouldn’t sell out to social media personalities who don’t do stand-up.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
The only thing you have to remember when you’re on stage is that you are naturally funny.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“Rules of L(ife)”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
One time I was walking down the street in my neighborhood and channing tatum and zoe kravitz were walking on the same sidewalk as me and there was absolutely no one else out and right before i passed them i said “omg fuck yes you guys” and they smiled.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
The hotel where the 9/11 hijackers stayed the night before 9/11.
A Elle Orlando Fun Fact:
I share a birthday with Anne Frank (bless)
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
Selling out around the world. In movies and tv shows. Respect from everyone, dead and alive.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
I don’t know exactly what that means. Just do it, you either are good at it or you’re not, you either love it or you don’t. Life will be easier if you don’t.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I never think about the future.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
I would write for Curb, and it would be a scene of Larry David on the subway with a guy sitting next to him scrolling through TikTok without headphones on, and Larry would call him out, and the guy would try to murder Larry David (he would not succeed bc larry is actually really fast).
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
The Comedy Cellar. Norm Macdonald would come back from being dead. Kyle Dunnigan, because everything he says is funny, and Daniel Tosh.
What’s next for you:
Everything. Literally everything.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
I mean, do it if you want. I don’t care what other people do.
Follow Elle Orlando’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter: Elle Orlando
Youtube: Elle Orlando
Personal Website: Elle Orlando
