Meet Reverend Genevieve Joy | Actress, Comedienne, Playwright, Filmmaker, New Thought Minister

We had the good fortune of connecting with Reverend Genevieve Joy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Reverend, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
“Hope for the best, plan for the worst…” Utter hogwash.

A wise man once said ‘It is done unto you as you believe…’ He didn’t say ‘hope’ because hope implies doubt. Screw hope.
Believe yourself equal to the highest and best only, and plan for that!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It never occurred to be that I wouldn’t be some kind of performance artist. My first report card said that I while I didn’t seem to get much out of class, I told great stories and kept the class entertained. Since I was fortunate enough to grow up right outside Manhattan, I attended summer and/or weekend programs at some of the best conservatories in the city including AADA and Stella Adler. After college I announced to my parents that I was going to be an actress, and my dad agreed to support my choice on the condition that I try stand-up comedy. I remember being shocked because I never considered myself an especially funny person- apparently everyone else disagreed. The moment I picked up a microphone, I was hooked. I performed at all over New York and the surrounding area. In 2012, I was introduced to Garry Marshall, who offered me a chance to star in his theatre’s production of Neil Simon’s ‘I Ought to be in Pictures.’ Technically, he offered me a chance to audition, but I told my family he gave me the job so they’d finance the move. Thank God, I did end up getting the job, otherwise that would have been one awkward phone call. Since coming to LA, I’ve continued to work in theatre, starring in multiple productions, two of which were my own creations. One play I wrote, ‘Like Blood from a Cheap Cigar’ debuted in the Hollywood fringe and then went on to run for twelve weeks in LA and then another four at the Edinburgh Festival the following August. In addition, there have been numerous film projects, mostly independent, which includes, of course, Garry Marshall’s final film ‘Mother’s Day,’ in which I act and perform original stand-up. Has it been easy? No. A few months ago I was walking a red-carpet at a film premiere for a movie I’d starred in, wearing a one-of-a-kind designer gown, looking like a million bucks… What you can’t tell from the pictures is that it took three sets of spanx to squeeze into said gown and my dinner that night came from 7-11 because I was broke. But that’s how it goes some times. I get tired like everyone else, money gets tight, and of course I have days where I doubt my worthiness. If I gave it all up tomorrow, most people would tell me I did the right thing. ‘The industry’s toxic’ they’d say, ‘It was just a pipe dream anyway,’ etc etc… Those are the times when I lean on my spirituality to remind myself exactly who I am and what I’m made of.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When my friends come to visit, they’ve already researched hot spots in LA and then I end up feeling like the tourist! But if someone were to put their weekend into my hands, the first place I’d take them is Skid Row to spend some time with the most bad-ass people on the planet. For the last four years, I’ve volunteered with a group called Sharing Love with Others, delivering donations and serving meals to the people living in the encampments. I’ve developed a profound respect for the homeless community and what they go through on an hourly basis. Being welcomed into that world is one of the things I’m most proud of. What it does for me, emotionally and spiritually far outweighs anything I’m bringing to table and it’s something I wish everyone could experience- and they can, once they get over the ick factor.
I also love Downtown LA for the culture; the museums, the restaurants, etc. As far as restaurants go, I’d want to show them a mix of classic LA spots like Formosa Cafe (where I performed Stand-up in LA for the first time and worked as a hostess after their grand re-opening in 2019). Or In-N-Out, just to put the curiosity to rest. I realize this may offend a lot of people but I’m sorry- it’s NOT that great! If the person is a real ‘foodie’ (such a stupid word, isn’t it?) I’d bring them to a hole-in-the-wall no one’s heard of, where it’s all about the meal. As far as daytime activities, I’d suggest a pilgrimage to Venice Beach and/or sneaking into a swanky hotel pool. The Tropicana at the Roosevelt is my favorite for doing that. And, of course, if I had some kind of performance going on- acting in a play or doing stand-up somewhere, I’d drag them along and hope they enjoy themselves!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Dr. James Mellon, Head Minister at Global Truth Center in Westlake Village, my spiritual home; Maxine Sealy, Founder of Sharing Love with Others, who provides opportunity to serve the homeless community in DTLA; Garry Marshal, who was a mentor and treasured friend. Acting teachers Deena Levy from my New York days and Gloria Gifford here in LA.

Website: https://www.genevievejoy.com

Instagram: @CatFightJ0y

Twitter: @CatFightJoy

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GenevieveJoy

Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-genevieve-podcast/id1440565977

Image Credits
Keida Mascaro

Dina Renee Siedschlag

Amy Ciraolo

Jennifer Giralo

Daniel Lobell