A rising stand-up comedian known for her sharp wit, relatable storytelling, and effortlessly charismatic stage presence. Drawing inspiration from everyday life, relationships, and personal experiences, she delivers a refreshing blend of honesty and humor that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds. Whether performing in comedy clubs, theaters, or festivals, she brings an engaging energy and unique perspective that continues to earn her a growing fanbase. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Mariah Girouard. The Barcelona, Spain native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Mariah Girouard
Hometown: Barcelona, Spain (originally from Massachusetts, USA)
Instagram/Tik-Tok: @mariahbgirouard
Years in Comedy: Around 8 years, but 5 years into doing it more seriously.
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Stand-up Revolution in Romania (big deal, I know), Red Mic Comedy
Comedic Influences: Michelle Wolf & Taylor Tomlinson
Favorite Comedy Album: Bo Burnham: Inside (not sure if that counts, but the songs are catchy!)
Favorite Comedy Special: Taylor Tomlinson: Quarter Life Crisis
Favorite Comedy Movie: White Chicks (very cheesy, but gives me the giggles)
Favorite Comedy TV Show: The Office (American one, duh)
Favorite Comedic Character: Leslie Knope from Parks and Rec
Favorite City to Perform In: Barcelona (hometown advantage)
Favorite Topics to Joke About: I like to write dark stuff about my childhood, but I’m also a fan of the classic dating stories and find that it’s more accessible to crowds.
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: An international crowd with people from all over the world. I find it makes them more open-minded and there’s something magical about getting people from all walks of life to laugh at the same thing.
Favorite Comedy Club: The Comedy Clubhouse in Barcelona
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I never thought of myself as a funny person, nor did I have an interest in performing. I had a friend who basically signed me up for an open mic night and kind of stumbled into it. Looking back, I realize now that I have always been the type to make people laugh in a casual setting. I took for granted the magnetism and charisma it took to start telling a story to one person and somehow have the entire room on the edge of their seat, listening. I also realized that I used laughter as a way to get through hard times or to distract others from their own sadness. It’s always been a pervasive presence in my life.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I fell on the stage (literally) as I was getting up, and I remember wanting to give up before I even opened my mouth. I was so embarrassed, but then I channeled that nervous energy into my set and got laughs.
How would you describe your comedic style:
I am angry, and I like to rant. I’m high energy, self-depracating, and a little mean.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I’ll often rant to friends or tell a story and make them laugh, and they will usually say, “You should turn that into a bit,” so that’s when I bust out my notes app in my phone. Then I will usually look back at the premises and try to expand from there.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
It’s very international and supportive. Though we are one of the biggest English-speaking scenes in Europe, we’re still small; it’s grown a lot over the last 8 years and has fostered a lot of talent. We’re often underestimated because we’re not in London or New York, but when comics from those cities come to Barcelona, they always remark that the standard is so high, and that we’re super friendly.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
It’s easy to compare yourself to other people but I am getting better at minding my own business and doing things for me and my goals. I don’t want fame necessarily. I want to be able to make a bit of money and find my people who resonate with what I am trying to say. As long as I do that, that’s success to me.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Mike Rice, Kyla Cobber, Irene Sango, Andy Casper, Darren Cullen, and Hector Ayala are some of my favorite people and comedians of all time. They are dedicated to the craft of making people laugh, and it shows every time they get on stage.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Probably when I made a guy flip a table at a bar in Brighton, England, which basically started a bar fight. It was right then that I knew that English audiences were a different breed. I just remember thinking, “What the f*** am I doing?” but I also knew that if that didn’t make me stop, nothing could.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
It’s part of the game. It sucks in the moment, but the more you fail, the more you grow and you can’t let your ego get in the way of growth.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
They either love it or hate it. It can intimidate some people, especially when you’re a young(ish) woman in comedy. It subverts expectations, which ironically is what comedy is supposed to do, but people with no sense of humor don’t like that very much.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
It is the hardest yet one of the most rewarding things. You’re facing the fears of most people (rejection, failure, vulnerability) head-on to chase a high you can only get from making a room erupt with laughter, and that’s something special.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
More women in comedy, always.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
It was actually from Piotr Szczęsny, my clown teacher. I was taking one of his workshops during a difficult period in my life, and it was like he knew exactly what I needed to hear in that moment. He said, “Mariah, you’re funny. We love you. You also need to trust that we will love you even when you fail.” It’s easy to think an audience is against you and that they don’t want you to succeed, but that’s not true. They are with you every step of the way. They are rooting for you; you just have to let them, and you can’t let the fear of failure and humiliation paralyze you.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
I’m working on one right now called “Trauma Made Me Hot,” and I think the name suits the subject matter.
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I was telling a story in the green room about a man who dumped me because he rated my personality a 4/10, and Michelle Wolf jumped in and was like, “If you’re hot, most men couldn’t care less about your personality. Your personality was so bad that it turned him off. That’s a bit.”
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
Probably at an outdoor festival in Barcelona. The group that hired us asked us to perform stand-up comedy in English to a bunch of local people who did not really speak or understand English. We followed a musical act and tried to tell jokes to a group of drunk people who just wanted to dance. Needless to say, it was not well received.
A Mariah Girouard Fun Fact:
I frequently fart myself awake.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I would love to tour my special, find my tribe of fellow funny people who resonate with my material, and maybe make a bit of money, too.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Don’t take yourself too seriously. Sit in your body. Breathe. Always look towards the laugh and once you get it, let yourself receive it.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
It’s shifting. It’s becoming more diverse; our ideas of what it means to be a “comedian” or what a comedian looks like are different. Women are taking over, people of color, queer people. It’s not just a white boy’s game anymore, and that’s creating tension and pushback, but that’s where the funny stuff is, in the tension.
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
Hmmm, maybe the Comedy Cellar? I’d love to be on the same lineup as Brian Simpson, Jordan Jensen, and Taylor Tomlinson. They are the ones making me laugh right now, so I’d love to see them live.
What’s next for you:
I really want to develop my latest special, “Trauma Made Me Hot,” and eventually bring it to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as a finished piece before touring it throughout Europe.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Because you’re going to die. Live while you’re alive.
Follow Mariah Girouard’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Tik-Tok: Mariah Girouard
Personal Website: Mariah Girouard
