Meet Angela Hoover: Actor, Comedian, Impressionsist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Angela Hoover and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Angela, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I literally cannot work in a cubicle. I did it in my twenties. The job security was nice but the soul sucking was unbearable. I’m grateful I had the experience working at a desk at so many places though because it showed me what I really wanted. I did Drama starting my Freshman year. I tried out for Drama 1 Honors and as soon as I heard the director laughing, I was done for. I think we all want to affect people and make a positive difference in some way and when I make people laugh I feel like I’m doin that.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Comedian/Actress: I grew up watching people. The one thing I was born with was an ear. For music and for voices. This has certainly helped me with calibrating my voice to match others. My dad used to tell me I would sit in the sand box and just study people. So basically I was a 3 year-old stalker. I thought other people were special, unique. Worth watching and worth emulating. They had a thing, and I did not. Sometimes it would feel like I was swallowing someone’s traits while they were talking. It was actually very difficult not to emulate a friend after hanging out with them all day! The first person I imitated when I was young was Katharine Hepburn. Doesn’t every child? LOL. The biggest joy of my life is making people laugh. My family, my kids, an audience. It makes me feel alive and connected to people. It really wasn’t until AGT that I started working consistently on celebrity impressions, posting them consistently on Instagram, showing how I do them on my Patreon page, that I brought my list to over 50 people. What and I proud of? I’m proud of making it to number 13 on America’s Got Talent for celebrity impressions after the age of 40 and and for trying stand up in the first place. Especially when I am NOT a night person! : ) I”m proud that I got an INCREDIBLE 1 day gig just from my impressions on my Youtube channel. I had been creating content for free for 2 years & I was able to turn out all the impressions they needed in 24 hours notice. But the thing I’m most proud of (in my career), is that I haven’t quit. Moves, 2 kids. I’ve always hopped back in. This business is “NO” “NO” and “NO,” much of the time. It takes a lot of emotional stamina to hear that word consistently. So you have to create your own yeses. I always go back to asking myself this question. “Am I waiting or am I creating? When you get busy creating, you no longer have to wait for something to come along and drop itself in your lap. And funny thing is, when you get busy doin your thing, something usually does. As far as lessons, I would say do NOT wait to be perfect at something to take a crack at it. Take an 80% approach. Like the book of the same name, you can always go back in and make it an A-.

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.
I am obsessed with good coffee so I would have to take them to get a latte in Riviera Village (Redondo Beach) at Hi-Fi Espresso followed by a walk-on the Esplanade. As far as lunch, I love the South East Asian fare at Little Sister. The we might take a trek to the gorgeous and MASSIVE nursery, Roger’s Gardens in Corona Del Mar. Known for their beautiful plants, flowers and unique gifts. Then maybe a glass of Prosecco and something sweet at their beautiful outdoor restaurant, Farmhouse. As far as hiking, Rattle Snake trail or something in. Malibu! Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My #1 shout out is to my high school drama teacher, Mr. Bell. He has encouraged, trained and fostered so many passionate drama students. He was the first person to see something in me and it was a life-changing moment in my life. Enss Mitchell. owner of one of the only black-owned comedy clubs in Los Angeles. The minute I performed on his stage over 15 years ago, he has been my champion. Just having that one person believe in you, your ability and talents can sustain you when you don’t feel it yourself. The Power of Now, The War of Art and the 80% Approach are all excellent books that highlight resistance, creative blocks, and how to just sit down and do the damn thing.

Website: www.angelahoover.com

Instagram: angelahoovercomedy

Linkedin: Angela-hoover

Twitter: angelahoover07

Facebook: Facebook.com/angelahoovercomedy

Youtube: Youtube.com/theangelahoovershow

Other: Patreon.com/angelahoover