19 female comedians who are about to be HUGE
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There are so many female comedians who are CRUSHING IT right now. And as a result, we here at GOLD ComedyTM are crushing on them.
Comedy nerds and podcast junkies will know these women—and likely every word of their acts. But we want all of our GOLD readers to be able to say they knew about them before they were A-list household names. Now we just need to get them on the Forbes list of highest-paid comedians.
Huffington Post
1. APARNA NANCHERLA
“When a cat ignores you, you think “that’s on you.’ When a dog ignores you, you think “you saw into my dark soul.”
What you know her from
- Pete Holmes’s HBO show Crashing
- Has opened for John Oliver and Tig Notaro on tour
- Former staff writer for Late Night With Seth Meyers
- Hosts podcast Blue Woman Group with Jacqueline Novak
Why she’s on the cusp
Please just go read her Twitter. Variety named her one of the top comics to watch in 2016. She tours ALL THE DAMN TIME, so follow her. Her debut album Just Putting It Out There is hilarious and perfectly tackles all of our anxieties and discomforts.
Where you can follow her
https://twitter.com/aparnapkin
https://www.facebook.com/aparna.nancherla?ref=ts
Squarespace
2. CAMERON ESPOSITO
“As you can tell by my haircut, I am a Thundercat—and also a giant lesbian.”
What you know her from
- Her original Seeso series with wife Rhea Butcher Take My Wife
- Several appearances on the late night circuit including Conan & Chelsea Lately
- An awesome episode of Drunk History and BuzzFeed’s video series “Ask a Lesbian”
Why she’s on the cusp
Between her Seeso series, constant touring, and her amazing support of other women in comedy, she’s sure to land a killer TV or movie deal any moment now. Or who knows, maybe she has and she’s keeping it secret.
Where you can follow her
https://twitter.com/cameronesposito
https://www.facebook.com/cameronjokes/
Just For Laughs
3. CORINNE FISHER
“Feminism has made me hate both genders more, but equally, and that’s the important part.”
What you know her from
- Her show Sorry About Last Night… with fellow badass Krystyna Hutchinson
- Her anti-slut shaming podcast Guy We F****d also with Hutchinson
- Her much-talked-about feature in HuffPost
Why she’s on the cusp
Using her awesome feminist powers, she has created a body of comedic work that not only acknowledges women’s sexuality, but encourages it. Her stand-up style is raunchy, delivery-heavy, and most of all fun to watch. She and Hutchinson are also scheduled to perform at the Just for Laughs Comedy Fest in Montreal this year!
Where you can follow her
http://www.sorryaboutlastnightcomedy.com/
https://twitter.com/PhilanthropyGal
Houston Whatever Fest
4. EMMA WILLMAN
“I get so frustrated when people think I’m trying to look like Ellen Degeneres. It’s so frustrating because I’m trying so hard to look like Nick Carter.”
What you know her from
- Cohost of Wake Up with Taylor with Taylor Strecker
- Her hilarious late night debut on Late Night with Stephen Colbert
- Her selection as a New Face at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal
Why she’s on the cusp
This radio darling has been making our ears laugh over the airwaves for a while now, but we think she’s got the charisma and the material for TV. Her own SiriusXM show The Check Spot is now a year old and we’re excited for her next steps.
Where you can follow her
https://www.facebook.com/EmmaWillmannShow/
https://twitter.com/EmmaWillmann
Gina Brillon Comedy
5. GINA BRILLON
“I have girlfriend who says ‘30’s the new 20.’ Really? What kind of math are you doing? Cause I don’t see any 20-year olds walking around going, ‘Oh my god, I’m 10.’“
What you know her from
- Her comedy special Pacifically Speaking
- Her appearances and collaborations with comedian Gabriel Iglesias
- Her appearances on Chelsea Lately, The View, and Live at Gotham
- (The GOLD Comedy advisory board!)
Why she’s on the cusp
She just signed a sweet deal with comedic actor and Paul Blart-look alike Kevin James to star in a new CBS show, Kevin Can Wait. Her stand-up style oozes confidence and all of her performances are incredibly polished.
Where you can follow her
https://twitter.com/GinaBrillon
https://www.facebook.com/Gina-Brillon-154334244583453/
Paste Magazine
6. JEN KIRKMAN
“Parenthood can be very rewarding, but let’s face it, so are margaritas at the adults-only pool.”
What you know her from
- Her four comedy albums
- Her Netflix special “I’m Gonna Die Alone (And I Feel Fine)” and “Just Keep Livin’?”
- Several appearances on Chelsea Lately
- Bonus: her recent appearance on Good One with Jesse David Fox, discussing her sublime closer about sexual harassment
Why she’s on the cusp
Jen has a huge body of knockout comedic work. Not to mention her book “I Know What I’m Doing and Other Lies I Tell Myself” just came out in paperback in April of this year. She’s hitting her stride and we can’t wait to catch her on her “The ‘All New Material, Girl’ Tour” this year.
Where you can follow her
https://www.facebook.com/JenKirkman/
https://twitter.com/JenKirkman
Paste Magazine
7. JENA FRIEDMAN
“I feel like Citi Bikes come in pairs of bored couples. With the silver lining being that none of them are wearing helmets.”
What you know her from
- Her critically acclaimed stand up special American C*nt
- Her writing for the Late Show with David Letterman
- Her field work for The Daily Show
Why she’s on the cusp
She’s a total go-getter. Her hard work and poignant feminist critique shine through her act and we’re totally eating it up. Also, her original web series about an engaged serial killer was actually assigned to me as homework… so if she’s already invading our classrooms, she might as well invade our TVs!
Where you can follow her
https://twitter.com/JenaFriedman
https://www.youtube.com/user/JenaFriedman2
The AV Club
8. JO FIRESTONE
“There’s only about 7 or 8 genuinely good people in the whole world. Seven of them are hospice nurses and the other is Michelle Obama.”
What you know her from
- Appearances on The Tonight Show and The Chris Gethard Show
- Named a New Face at the 2016 Just For Laughs Festival
- Various stand-up shows around New York
- Her delightful FaceTime interview with GOLD Comedy students!
Why she’s on the cusp
Her sweet voice and quirky elfish persona is a perfect fit with all of the new fun-loving comedies coming out. She’s the creator and host of the hugely successful Punderdome 3000 show in Brooklyn alongside her goofy dad Fred and her TED Talk is also in the process of becoming a fan favorite.
Where you can follow her
https://twitter.com/kingfirestorm
Nerdist
9. KATE BERLANT
“Where are we? I mean it was like coming up here, intellectually I knew but spiritually it was still very open. It was kind of this process of ‘Okay, it’s a show coming up, expectations, who I could’ve been, right? Who I could be, right? The dichotomy of mother, father, always here, right? Divorce right? Duffle bag? Different stage, right? Endless shuffle, right? A kind of shuffle that becomes constantly replicated in the future.”
What you know her from
- Appearances on The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail
- Netflix original series The Characters
- Collaborations with John Early
Why she’s on the cusp
Kate’s style is unbelievably original. It’s thoughtful, meditative, philosophical, and simultaneously very fun. Her new Vimeo original series 555 is already getting attention from some very important eyes. In February, she and Early gave a meta-comedy performance on Jimmy Fallon that was lost on some of the audience. But us comedy geeks LOVED it.
Where you can follow her
https://twitter.com/kateberlant
http://kateberlant.tumblr.com/
IGN.com
10. LAUREN LAPKUS
“I believe that each person can make a difference, but it’s so slight that there’s basically no point.”
What you know her from
- Netflix’s hit show Orange is the New Black
- Several appearances on Scott Aukerman’s podcast Comedy Bang! Bang!
- Funny Or Die’s web series The Earliest Show
Why she’s on the cusp
If the rest of the women on this list are “on the cusp,” then Lauren might be the first in line for the slide. She’s already been crushing it on her own cheekily titled podcast, With Special Guest Lauren Lapkus. She’s also found success at her UCB Franklin show Wildhorses.
Where you can follow her
https://www.facebook.com/laurenlapkus/?ref=br_rs
https://twitter.com/laurenlapkus
The AV Club
11. MEGAN AMRAM
“After he gets impeached, Trump is going to brag that he was the fastest president ever.”
What you know her from
- Her popular Twitter account
- Her writing on Parks and Recreation
- Her writing on the very funny Rob Corddry series Children’s Hospital
Why she’s on the cusp
In the comedy world, we sometimes refer to certain performers as a “comedian for comedians.” Megan Amram is definitely one of these people. Her wordplay and one-liners on Twitter are a true work of genius. Her absurdism style is super fresh and she’s killing it on the Trump stuff.
Where you can follow her
https://twitter.com/meganamram
https://www.facebook.com/MeganAmram/
Chicago Reader
12. MEGAN GAILEY
“It gets a little tricky because my mom is Irish Catholic and my dad is Irish Protestant. Very bad in white people land. For those of you who don’t understand what that means it’s kind of like saying my mom was raised believing in magic and my dad was raised blowing up magicians.”
What you know her from
- Her appearances on late night like Conan
- Her appearance on Adam Devine’s House Party
- MTV’s show Ladylike
Why she’s on the cusp
She brings new life to some classic jokes and her set/material have only grown edgier since her Conan appearance. Not to mention she’s been knocking it out of the park with her live shows. To give you an idea, I saw her open at a show in Nashville recently and she got way more laughs than the headliner.
Where you can follow her
https://twitter.com/megangailey
https://www.facebook.com/MeganGaileyComedy/
Comedy Works
13. MICHELLE WOLF
“You know how when you break up with someone and they gain weight, and that makes you really happy? I bet that’s how England feels about us.”
What you know her from
- Her work as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
- Her appearances on Late Night with Seth Meyers
- Her show on Comedy Central Now Hiring with Michelle Wolf
Why she’s on the cusp
What more can I say? That voice. That hair. She’s to die for! She was featured on Vulture’s list of “50 Comedians You Should Know in 2015” and her most recent tour for her debut hour-long special, MIchelle Wolf: So Brave, sold out across the country. Personally, I’m in love with her squeaky style and jump on tickets any time I see her name in the line-up.
Where you can follow her
http://www.michelleisawolf.com/
https://twitter.com/michelleisawolf
https://www.instagram.com/michelleisawolf/?hl=en
StandUpPlanet
14. MICHELLE BUTEAU
“I have a very simple wedding band, because I’m anti-diamond. I saw this crazy documentary about these kids in Africa.… Just kidding, he’s broke.”
What you know her from
- Her stint on Last Comic Standing
- Appearances on the smash hits Key & Peele and The Eric Andre Show
- Audible’s The Voices of Funny channel
Why she’s on the cusp
Her sassy style and high energy delivery is helping her KILL it in the New York standup scene. Plus Comedy Central’s been showing her plenty of love and I wouldn’t be surprised if they gave her a show of her own. As long as she doesn’t name the show after her brother-in-law.
Where you can follow her
https://twitter.com/michellebuteau
https://www.facebook.com/michellebuteaucomedy
The Comics Comic
15. NAOMI EKPERIGIN
“Or my new favorite, Swamp Murders. It’s exactly what you think it is. You find a body in a swamp, you work your way back.”
What you know her from
- Her Comedy Central half-hour special
- Writing for the show we love Broad City
- Her awesome Q&A with us! (GOLD Comedy)
Why she’s on the cusp
Besides being incredibly talented in writing, her stand-up style boasts a unique stately delivery and a keen sense of word choice. She’s been featured by a ton of stuff already and we’re excited for her and her husband’s new TruTV series, Inside Caucasia.
Where you can follow her
https://twitter.com/Blacktress
https://www.facebook.com/blacktresscomedy/
Salon
16. NEGIN FARSAD
“The American population can be broken up into three main categories: there’s mostly wonderful people, haters, and Florida.”
What you know her from
- Her her star-studded original movie 3rd Street Blackout
- Her comedy documentary The Muslims Are Coming!
- Her insightful TEDTalk
- Her delightful FaceTime with GOLD Comedy students!
Why she’s on the cusp
A self-described social justice comedian, Negin has a stand-up routine that often revolves around her Muslim background. She uses humor to fight prejudice and bring understanding, especially in a contentious time in our country for Muslims. Her book How to Make White People Laugh has a permanent place on my coffee table and constantly makes me laugh on cue.
Where you can follow her
https://twitter.com/NeginFarsad
https://www.facebook.com/NeginHFarsad/
Jewish Ledger
17. OPHIRA EISENBERG
“Finally I just put “as is.” Yeah, a real fixer upper. Hobbies include depression and making you guess why I’m angry.”
What you know her from
- Host of NPR’s Ask Me Another
- Appearances on late night show like Craig Ferguson
- Her book Screw Everyone
- Her local New York fame from shows and articles
Why she’s on the cusp
Ophira tackles the tough stuff like advanced age motherhood, surviving cancer, and other topics most comedians wouldn’t touch with a 10 foot pole. She’s also got an unusually soothing voice so it’s no surprise that she’s frequently featured on the radio. AND her new Brooklyn show Ophira and Adira has already drawn big names like David Cross, Lewis Black, and Uzo Aduba.
Where you can follow her
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ophira-Eisenberg/141303629228679
Buzzfeed
18. PHOEBE ROBINSON
“So I met my boyfriend’s parents recently which stressed me out. Because he’s white, so his parents are white. Hate when that happens. Why can’t it just skip a generation?”
What you know her from
- Co-host of 2 Dope Queens podcast with Daily Show’s Jessica Williams
- Appearances on late night shows like Late Night with Seth Meyers and @midnight
- Her published articles in The New York Times and Vanity Fair
Why she’s on the cusp
She’s been bringing some serious truths about gender, race, and equality to the comedy scene for a while now. Her new podcast with Broad City’s Ilana Glazer is called Sooo Many White Guys, and honestly, we’re sold on the title alone. Plus, she thought the ending to Colin Firth’s Kingsman was as weird as I did.
Where you can follow her
http://www.phoeberobinson.com/
https://twitter.com/dopequeenpheebs
https://www.facebook.com/DopeQueenPheebs/
Comedy Heights
19. TAYLOR TOMLINSON
“Everyone always says the same thing to my dad when they find out there are four girls in my family. They’re like, ‘Wow four girls! That’s gonna get expensive.” Which is true, because he has to pay for three weddings AND get all of my cats spayed. It’s gonna add up.”
What you know her from
- Her appearance on Last Comic Standing
- Her stand-up shows across the country
- Her feature on Laughs “Young as Hell”
Why she’s on the cusp
Her self-deprecating style is endearing, effective, and impressive considering she’s only 23. She’s got a certain honesty about her performance style that is very refreshing. She’s a true inspiration to us young comics.
Where you can follow her
https://twitter.com/taylortomlinson
https://www.facebook.com/ComedianTaylor/
Do you know any comics that you think will be huge soon? Tell us! Tweet @goldcmdy!
CARSEN SMITH (intern, branding and content) performs standup and improv in New York City. She co-created the improvised cooking show “I’ll Have What She’s Having,” which ran at Nashville’s Third Coast Comedy Club. @carsenasmith