Chanel Ali is preparing for her one-woman comedy show, “Chanel Ali: Relative Stranger” at the Soho Playhouse (located at 15 Vandam Street) Sept. 17-28, presented by Sarah Cooper with direction by Ryan Cunningham. The AmNews recently caught up with her to talk about her personal story of becoming a comedian and her journey in the industry People may be familiar Ali, recently named one of Deadline’s 15 Comedians to Watch in 2025: she’s had two Comedy Central specials, an album, and was last seen on MTV’s “Girl Code,” “Night Train with Wyatt Cenac,” and Netflix’s “Dash & Lily.” Enjoy the Q&A that follows.
AmNews: How did you come to be raised in foster care?
Chanel Ali: I was taken away by child protective services from my mother and I never knew my father, so I ended up in the system and also living with distant relatives, friends, etc.
AmNews: What were the struggles you faced in the foster care system?
CA: It was tough to learn how to take care of myself in environments that didn’t prioritize me. I had to develop strong friendships, mentors, and supporters who would really listen to me and take note of the strengths I had.
AmNews: When did you know you wanted to be a comedian and how did you get started?
CA: I more so had the thought that I am a comedian when I was seven. I was studying standup comedy and comedians, leading me to identify what personality traits they had in common. They were smart, confident, had a bold sense of humor — some were cute. As an orphan it felt like I needed to find my superpower and I felt like comedy could be it for me. I was always speaking up, making people laugh, talking to adults like I wasn’t afraid of them. I wasn’t fearless but I wasn’t gonna let that feeling keep me still.
AmNews: When you came to New York on a Megabus, where did you live and how did you make ends meet?
CA: I moved into an Airbnb, paid it up for two weeks and then hit the comedy scene running. Eventually I found another comic who was renting a room and I was able to get a more stable living situation. I had tons of jobs, mostly in some writing or customer service capacity. My last real job, I worked for OkCupid, that dating website. Providing support to people looking for love. As long as someone can make money and keep their stress level in check, phasing out a regular job to become an artist is a very doable thing.
AmNews: Who helped you to get started in comedy?
CA: In my open mic days, my biggest supporters were the bouncers at the comedy clubs and other comedians and my close friends. The comedy establishment doesn’t show much love until you’re somebody. Once the Philadelphia comedy scene showed me love, the city got behind me too.
AmNews: Why choose to tell your personal story through comedy?
CA: Comedy is my artistic medium. This writing represents my best work thus far. I reflect back on my life with hope and humor, through this show, I’m inviting others to giggle at their chaos. There’s so much strength in poking holes and laughing at your demons. Because you’re still standing.
AmNews: How did you end up being reunited with your father at 18 years old?
CA: My father is a police officer and I always knew his name but couldn’t look him up because of how officers’ information is protected. Eventually, the government ordered him to provide his DNA because they wanted to charge him for back-due child support. That court case confirmed paternity and gave me enough information to track down the police station he worked for. So, really, I willed it into place.
AmNews: How unpredictable is life, that you being in a 23andMe commercial — produced by Kevin Hart — would lead you to learning you have a 30-year-old brother?
CA: The moment I realized this was unfolding, I sincerely thought I was secretly being filmed for a prank show. My life had already been quite wild in my opinion, but this discovery made my jaw drop. So many factors had to come into place for me to book that commercial, take the test, etc. I don’t think it was an accident. I think the universe wanted me to have the truth and to have more family. It’s been the greatest blessing.
AmNews: What does being a Black female comedian mean to you?
CA: Being a Black artist is the title I’m most proud to hold in this lifetime, right behind being a big sister to my brothers. I’m so proud that my legacy will be joy, silliness, and honest reflections about society seen through my lens. Being a woman who plays around, has strong opinions, can’t wait to speak up, I’m proud to make these qualities look good.
AmNews: How long did it take you to put together your one-woman show?
CA: It took about a year of work. I toured with it in Scotland and Australia, plus a few early shows in NYC. I devoted every second to it. It poured out of me and I held Q&As after every show. The whole audience always stayed. That helped me know I was building something special.
AmNews: What do you feel when you’re on stage, whether it’s doing comedy or now rehearsing for your upcoming production?
CA: I feel like I’m at home. Soon as I get that mic in my hand, soon as I get under that light, I’m kinda calm. Feels like I’m right where I’m supposed to be and when I get a big laugh, it hits me in beautiful harmonies, big waves.
AmNews: What message do you want your show to have for other children in the foster care system and for people in general?
CA: I want more people to consider being foster parents, I want them to see the value in being a positive influence in children who have already demonstrated superpower like strength and resilience. I want any orphans to see a part of themselves in my story and draw strength from my reflections. You can do anything you set your mind to.
AmNews: Why should people come to see “Chanel Ali: Relative Stranger”?
CA: It’s a miraculous true story, filled with heart and big humor where you get to understand how someone can rise up to be so fun, funny, and badass. I promise your little weird self will feel seen as I discuss family, identity and truth that sets us free.
For more info and for tickets, visit relativestrangershow.com.
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