Promoting her current LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE comedy tour, Fortune Feimster talked to Audacy and CHANNEL Q’s CJ Robinson about the importance of doing just that, queer representation in comedy, unexpected google searches and more.
LISTEN NOW: Fortune Feimster joins CHANNEL Q's CJ Robinson
“We’ve definitely… come a long way," Fortune positively noted about the amount of queer representation in comedy. “There seems to be a lot more now, and a lot more that are doing well and selling a lot of tickets, so that’s always a good sign. I’ve had people come before me that have opened a lot of doors,” Fortune added, expressing that she’s been able to do the same for others “coming behind her.” And despite being a male dominated business, “there’s always strides being made.”
One important way Fortune continues to make sure those strides are being made, is by not shying away from performing in states with anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, like Florida. “Those are places that need more of us to come in there.” Because, “there’s a lot of people there that need someone like me, like Mateo Lane, like whoever, to come in and tell there stories because that’s the representation they’re lacking around them.”
She continued, “There’s a lot of power of sitting in a room and seeing 2,000 people who support… and lead with love. That’s good for people to see in their own community.”
Throughout her career Fortune has been able to be, as she put it, “for lack of a better word — safe space,” for many. Being a part of a number of her fans’ coming out stories, has been a complete honor for Fortune, because she knows they felt comfortable being their true and authentic selves with her.
“I know it changed me when I came out, that was the biggest relief I ever felt, because all the puzzle pieces finally came together. So if I, through comedy or my stories can help anyone in their journey with that, tha 't is huge.”
“I definitely got it the most I think after Sweet & Salty came out, my first hour on Netflix,” Fortune noted. “A ton of people watched that during the pandemic, the world shut down and it was just there.” And a lot of kids they watched with their parents, and a lot of them reached out and expressing that they watched it with their parents, and if they were laughing or smiling and their reaction to Fortune’s stories about coming out felt positive, they would tell their parents that they’re gay.
“On the flip side of that,” Fortune added, “I had a lot of parents reaching out to me say that they kind of had an inkling, but didn’t want to press our kid.” So watching the special together help them connect and facilitate a safe space for whenever they were ready to express their truth and come out.
Elsewhere in the conversation, after hilariously laughing about it, Fortune addressed CJ’s unexpected google search questions which is — is Fortune Feimster related to JoJo Siwa? So, we won’t make you wait for the answer, which is, most definitely no, they’re not related. But to hear everything Fortune had to say about the amusing notion, how it came out, plus a bit about FUBAR, press play on the interview above.
For more information, dates and to purchase tickets to Fortune’s LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE Tour — click HERE.
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