Meet GAY-Z | Comedian & Civil Rights Activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with GAY-Z and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi GAY-Z, why did you pursue a creative career?
I told my first joke in front of a crowd when I was eight years old. I spoke in front of my church at our church’s Christmas program. I was a Christmas tree and the congregation loved every minute of my bit. I knew immediately that I wanted to become a comedian but I had stage fright and social anxiety. I would go on to be the class clown at every single school I attended. I was literally nominated class clown in elementary, middle school and high school… I still have the yearbooks to prove it. I would go on to college at The Ohio State University where I served as the Vice President of the African American Voices Gospel Choir; where I would host various shows as a christian comic. It wasn’t until years after I graduated OSU when I decided to take some comedy classes at the Cleveland Improv. That’s when I realized I belonged on stage. I also pursued an artistic/creative career because I’ve had many different jobs and being a comedian has been the first and only job where I felt like I’m really making a difference in this world. It gives me a sense of purpose and I feel that I can truly change lives through comedy. Laughter is a universal language. We all speak the same language when it comes to something being funny. I believe comedy is the only Industry that can truly bring peace to this world!!!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started out as a host of various shows and performing as a christian comic while attending The Ohio State University; I have grown into a quick witted, no holds barred comic over the last eight years. I believe that laughter can bring people together no matter how far apart they may start, my diverse background helps me relate to any crowd.

I am an all-around type of comedian that will sing or dance depending on the day. I’m quick on my toes so be careful when trying to heckle me because I’ve been known to have a smart mouth from time to time. I’ve had the privilege to perform with some of the best comedians in the country. I’ve performed with Gary Owen, Rodney Perry, Damon Williams, Alex Thomas and the late great David A. Arnold, just to name a few! I’m most proud of being a comedian in general; as a child, I grew up having severe social anxiety and stage fright and till this day my mother always tells me “she shocked to see me performing in front of such big crowds due to the fact that I was so scared of people growing up!” The one thing that sets me apart from others in the entertainment industry is I have studied comedy since I was a child. I used TV shows like Comicview and Def Comedy Jam to perfect my craft.

Comedy is one of the toughest professions to get into. Not many people will “make it”. This profession requires late nights and early mornings type of work ethic so it’s very tiring to be a comedian. Long hours and many days of struggling. I have been homeless at times sleeping on friends’ couches in different cities, just trying to perform at open mics to get my name out there. It has not been an easy road and I’m still climbing the ladder to success. The key to anything in life is believing in God, yourself and NEVER GIVE UP!!!

Honestly, I’ve been performing with my comedy idols and that’s been my biggest accomplishment in all of this. I grew up watching everyone I performed with and I’m so blessed to be finally living my dreams. People die every day and NEVER get a chance to live their dreams and I’m so blessed to be in a position to do so. I’m going to be one of the next big comedians and I’m not stopping until this world knows my name because I truly believe God sent me here to change this world through comedy!!!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
To be honest we are in an apocalypse I’m not doing anything but ordering door dash and streaming TV. There’s so many great restaurants in the city it’s hard for be to choose. The Flying Biscuit is really good. I enjoy brunch type of places. Ray’s in the City is also a nice place to visit. I also love the chicken and waffle place.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are two special young ladies in my life that without them I would not be alive today. Miss Cookii and Miss Rose are my best friends and without them supporting me over the nine years I’ve been doing comedy I know for a fact that I would not be alive today. Their support means the world to me. I have few people that I confide in and these women have held me up when I was too weak to stand. My life is so much better because they chose to love me unconditionally. I owe them my life! I LOVE YOU LADIES…ALWAYS AND FOREVER!!!

Website: https://www.carlirobe.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gayz_got_shows?igshid=ZDdkNTZiNTM=

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GAYZ_SO_CRAZY?t=VE6vNothvULj4Sn1Zc090A&s=09

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@COMEDIANGAY-Z

Other: https://canvasrebel.com/meet-carli-robe/

Image Credits
Marla O’ Neal Celena Elise Ajoni Moore