Meet Janelle Draper | Comedian, Writer & Producer

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

Hi Janelle, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve always been drawn to the arts and creativity. I believe every person is creative by nature but a lot of people lose touch with their creativity as they grow up and fall prey to societal norms and pressures. I feel fortunate that I learned early on to follow my passion and creativity versus chasing a career in money. My Dad always stressed to me that if I’m doing what I love then no day will feel like work, and then I’ll become good at what I love and the money will come. I can always make more money but I can never make more time. I figured if I needed to have a career that spanned my entire adulthood that I might as well make it a creative one that felt more like fun and less like work.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started doing stand up when I was an NBC Page working on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. I took a class and I was immediately hooked. My journey felt full circle when 10 years later I got to open for Jay Leno after winning the Burbank Comedy Festival, and since then I’ve been headlining all across the country. I’m pretty tough on myself but I will say I’ve been able to do some really cool things in my career, like I was the first and only comedian to sign an overall licensing deal with Bumble, where I created, performed, and filmed multiple image spots which launched across their social media platforms to great success, garnering 4 billion views. That felt special to me since I met my boyfriend on Bumble.

I feel the most alive and in flow state when I’m writing and making people laugh. It’s truly the most insane adrenaline rush and dopamine hit. Seeing all different people laughing, connecting and having fun over something I thought of is my definition of bliss. What keeps me going is mortality motivation, it really does ignite my hustle and grind mentality, reminding myself that we are all going to die one day, so might as well live it up to the best of my potential while I can. I wish it was a human mandate that everyone had to try stand up comedy one day before they die because it’s so empowering and freeing.

Topics like mental health, anxiety, reproductive rights, sexual health, gender injustices/stereotypes and being in your 30s inspire my comedy. I love to sneak in feminist messaging in dirty/blue jokes, almost like a prosciutto wrapped fig.

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?
Start the day off with brunch at Urth Caffe in West Hollywood then we’ll head to Runyon Canyon for yoga and a hike. For sunset, I’m taking her to Yamashiro for the best views and sushi around town! Also, I’m definitely taking her to Venice for a skate park hang and dip in the ocean as well as the Sunset Restaurant in Malibu. And we can’t forget hanging at the Comedy Store and the Improv as well as getting an amazing Thai massage at Sparadise in West Hollywood.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have the most amazing family and friends who come out and support me for hundreds if not, thousands of shows. I have to give a special shout out to my parents, my Mom never misses a show and is constantly inspiring me and my Dad gave me the idea to start stand up when I never even thought about it as a hobby let alone a career. Also, my boyfriend has come with me to at least 5 different comedy festivals, he’s so very kind, funny and supportive and lets me poke fun at our relationship in front of hundreds of strangers, that’s true love. We met when I was performing at the historic Wilbur theater in Boston and he was in the audience. Lastly, I feel fortunate to belong to a few special comedian groups in LA, one of which is Ladies of Comedy Association (LOCA) and the other is an incredible writing group/community led by Gerry Katzman and Heather Pasternak. Gerry and Heather create the most magical and supportive community.

Website: http://janelledraper.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janellejokes/

Twitter: https://x.com/janellejokes

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janelle.draper.3

Youtube: https://www.facebook.com/janelle.draper.3