He brings an undeniable presence to the stage, combining sharp observations, charismatic storytelling, and an energetic delivery that keeps audiences engaged from beginning to end. With a comedic style rooted in real-life experiences and an authentic point of view, he has developed a voice that is both relatable and refreshingly unpredictable. Whether performing for an intimate comedy club crowd or a packed theater, he continues to showcase the confidence, personality, and natural showmanship of a comedian audiences won’t soon forget. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Ricci Armani. The Seattle, WA native shares some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how he always owns the laughs.
Name: Ricci Armani
Hometown: Tacoma, WA/Seattle, WA
Instagram/Tik-Tok: @Ricci_Armani
Years in Comedy: 7
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Not Yet
Comedic Influences: Beth Stelling, John Mulany, & Amy Miller
Favorite Comedy Album: Amy Miller “Hard to Say, I Think California King”
Favorite Comedy Special: Beth Stelling “Girl Daddy”
Favorite Comedy Movie: So many: Superbad, Easy A, Bridesmaids. Just to name a few.
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Also a ton, but Broad City will always be special to me. But also, Hacks, The Other 2, and Widows Bay
Favorite Comedic Character: Ilana Glazer, Roger Smith, & Selina Meyer
Favorite City to Perform In: I have always had fun performing in Chicago
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Myself of course.
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: One that’s down to play around. One that will talk to me when I do crowd work but will sit and listen and laugh when I’m doing material.
Favorite Comedy Club: Any room that seats 100 or less is my favorite comedy club. I don’t discriminate.
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
It was just something I always wanted to do since i was a kid watching Dane Cook, Jo Koy and Amy Schuemer. I just knew I wanted to do this. When I went ot my first open mic at 27, it was like it all just clicked in me.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
Just the feeling that it was right. Like I knew it was right for me to be on the stage. I also remember having this insane confidence that I was going to be the funniest person on that stage that night.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Playful; I am not really beholden to a set list. I have things that I like to say at the beginning of each set to establish myself. I also aim to be punchy. I like to ensure that the crowd is never quiet for too long.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I write a lot on stage. A lot of the time I have an idea, I go up on stage, and I just start talking, and I hope it becomes funny. It usually does, but occasionally I have to sit with it for a while and write it out.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Thriving, I think Seattle is constantly growing and retracting as a scene. it is full of talented people. I wish we had a few more indie shows to get on. I would love to see more people creating stage time rather than demanding it.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
It’s a constant moving goalpost. To me, success is really just people coming to your show. If people are buying tickets to see you and you’re filling a room, that is success to me. I think you can also say that making money and ending the year positive can be a marker of success. I think that if you’re constantly crashing sets, that can also be a sign of success. It’s really all a mindset for me. Success never means just one thing.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Bo Johnson writes so wonderfully that it encourages me to be more thoughtful about what I do and say on stage.
Joe Dombrowski is so alive and animated that it reminds me to do more act-outs and emote more feelings on my face and in my voice.
Amy Miller is so sassy that I constantly think about not being afraid to be a little sassier in how I interact with the crowd.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Selling out the main room of the comedy store with Kathy Griffin as a guest on my show “My Straight Friends”
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
You just have to keep trying. Failure is a huge part of what we do as comedians. If you’re not bombing, you’re not growing. If you’re not trying out new ways to put yourself out there, you’re never going to go anywhere. I have countless videos that flopped, jokes that never became full material, and shows that never became anything. Failing is how you learn.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
Most of the time I think they’re shocked that its something I do professionally. I don’t think a lot of people who don’t live in LA or New York meet working comedians.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
It’s a constant struggle, and it’s so hard. It’s terrifying, and it will beat the shit out of you, but it’s so worth it once you hit that next milestone.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
So many things. One thing that immediately comes to mind: I would love it if the comedy industry allowed nonwhite comedians to talk about more than just their ethnic identity and still gave them opportunity.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
I have gotten so much good advice. The one that I am immediately thinking of is, just post it. But post it with high quality and get to the funny fast.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“Life After Laid Off”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I can’t say that I’ve had one other than riffing with Kathy Griffin.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
A summer camp for adults
A Ricci Armani Fun Fact:
I am so blind that I cannot see at all without glasses or contacts
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I want to be a touring comedian who gets to just work on being creative. I want to get my career in a place where I can pay people to do the admin things for me so I can learn how to better write for TV and just focus on being funny and artistic.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Be bold and just do it. You’ll get nowhere fast if you don’t just start doing it.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I don’t know; things change all the time, and hopefully for the better always.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
I don’t know
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
I would do The Comedy Store, Beth Stelling, Katherine Blanford, Amy Miller and it would just be a girls and gays show.
What’s next for you:
Hoping to keep climbing the ladder of comedy. I am also touring this fall and hoping to add more shows this year and next. I also will hopefully be taking my show “My Straight Friends” on the road this fall and winter
Why should a person always laugh at life:
It’s short. So enjoy it.
Follow Ricci Armani’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Tik-Tok: Ricci Armani
Youtube: Ricci Armani
