Chicago comedian reflects on Filipino background, challenges stereotypes on stage

“I would like individuals to know that Asian girls are humorous. And we’re not simply your typical submissive individuals as a result of when you’ve ever met my mom, she’s positively not submissive,” she mentioned.

Smith was simply 7-years-old when she set her eyes on turning into a comic, impressed by watching a Filipino comic on televison.

“As quickly I obtained on stage, I used to be hook,” she mentioned.

Smith moved to U.S. when she was 12. The household settled in California. Whereas in her 20s, Smith recollects maintaining quiet about her comedy gigs within the Bay Space, afraid of disappointing her dad and mom.

“Having Asian dad and mom, they need you to go to high school, be a physician, lawyer, accountant, a enterprise proprietor, however by no means within the creative world, particularly a comic,” she mentioned.

Smith determined to maneuver to Chicago to proceed pursuing her goals. She took lessons at Second Metropolis.

When Smith was breaking into comedy, she noticed few faces like hers. She mentioned there are actually extra Asian feminine comedians, however nonetheless not sufficient. Smith is working to alter that.

“I produce an Asian American comedy competition in Chicago as a result of I used to be like there’s a couple of of us right here, why do not we do a present,” she mentioned.

She met her husband Ramon Smith by way of her work on the comedy circuit. They usually share the stage collectively as Mr. and Mrs. Smith Comedy.

“If she would not have adopted her dream and pushed throughout America to return to Chicago, we might have most likely by no means met and Mr. and Mrs. Smith Comedy would by no means exist. I’m glad it does,” he mentioned.

Her dream that went towards the norm has paid off in additional methods than one. Smith’s dad and mom are actually amongst her largest followers they usually’re pushing her to go so far as she will with comedy.

“Now my mother is telling me to go open up for Jo Koy. Why do not you go carry out with Jo Koy? Why do not you be performing with Dave Chapelle? She is at all times like why aren’t you doing this. I’m like oh my god it isn’t that simple mother,” she mentioned.

Yow will discover extra details about Mr. and Mrs. Smith Comedy at www.mrandmrssmithcomedy.com/