One of the funniest and most entertaining people on the planet, Kodi doesn’t tell jokes. She gives you real life in a comedic way.
What made you decide that comedy was the route for you?
Actually, it really wasn’t something that I knew I wanted to pursue. When I was around five I saw Whoopi Goldberg’s HBO special. She had this white towel on her head and she was pretending to be a valley girl. I thought that it was so funny. I remember I went into the bathroom, stood on the toilet, wrapped a towel around my head, and pretended I was her. My mother walked in and asked me what I was doing. I said being a white girl. She told me that I had a great imagination. I have always been a shy person. Comedy wasn’t a choice for me. It was my way to communicate.
Describe your approach to comedy. How do you prepare?
I prepare in different ways, I change up throughout the years. My comedy is based off my experiences and the things I see in real life. I don’t tell jokes. I share things that I see. I may be on the train and see something then jot it down. I am a storyteller. If they find it funny, that’s cool. If they don’t, that’s cool, too. However, most people can relate to my stories because they come from a real place.
You share real life experiences in your performances, has it ever caused trouble for you?
Not so much trouble, but once in a while people get offended. I don’t know why. You shouldn’t go to a comedy club if you are going to be offended. One time I was hosting an event about seven years ago, I wasn’t even talking to this guy at all. I guess he thought I was talking about his outfit and I honestly didn’t even notice him. He wanted to beat the hell out of me, I mean trying to fight me as if I was a man.
What would you say is the biggest misconception about comedy?
Sometimes people think it is just easy to do. Most comedians are actually very shy people and we can also be very sensitive. I feel that comedy reflects that sensitivity. I have had times where people would make fun of me and I would take it personally. They would question how can I be a comic and be so sensitive. I would tell them I’m a comic because people used to make fun of me, motherfucker. That’s I keep coming with the jokes (laughing).
Where can the readers find you performing?
Mainly in New York, but I do have some stuff coming up out in Cali. You can definitely find me all over New York, including the Broadway Comedy Club, The Improv, and Stand Up New York. I don’t only do comedy, I also host events.
You have done some acting, tell us about some of the roles you have played.
They have been really small roles. I was in the basketball movie Just Wright which starred Queen Latifah and Common. I have done some commercials with Taraji P. Henson and Terrance Howard. There are some big things on the horizon. The game is changing.
How do you juggle your fame with your personal life?
I don’t really think of myself as famous, but when Whoopi Goldberg knows my name… That’s my idol. Make sure you put that in. Even if the whole world knew me, I would never look at myself as famous. I will just be me.
– BE’N ORIGINAL
