We recently connected with Venessa Peruda and have shared our conversation below.

Venessa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you signed with an agent or manager? Why or why not?

I chose this question to announce that I do not currently have representation and am looking. Satisfaction guaranteed!

Venessa, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have always been a clown and became interested in performance art as soon as it was available to me. Raised by a single mom in San Diego, with an estranged Colombian father, my upbringing was difficult, but it taught me to lean into comedy and performing for joy and refuge. I studied theater in college, partied too much, had some run-ins with the law but still graduated. Then I moved to LA to pursue my dreams! L.A. wasn’t a fit for me, but I gained a ton of experience and began producing my own work which took me to NYC.

I started stand up comedy in NYC and have been doing it ever since. It’s addicting and incredibly challenging- perfect for my obsessive behavioral tendencies. I’m obsessed with creating edgy and original work. Mostly comedy. I’m pivoting back to more acting these days but I still regularly perform stand up at NYC’s “most exclusive” venues.

I’m most proud of the work I’ve created for the festival circuit, being a Finalist in Stand Up NBC’s showcase competition, and touring the country with the Hilarious Colombian Americans.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Oooh boy! My Instagram account was hacked and deleted a year ago, and it hit me hard! I lost everything. Shockingly, Meta did not care or help me. I had to start back at zero. I was incredibly depressed and overwhelmed at how to start again. I railed against the industry’s mandate on having a massive social media following to be considered for recognition or opportunity. I refuse to be a slave to an algorithm! Eventually, I resolved that my worth and talent isn’t determined by my number of followers. I create what I want, when I want, and I can’t be stopped.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Go out to see live performances! Whatever it is. Support artists shows, not just follow them online. You’ll support the artist, and have an experience far better than watching them at home.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: lol_venessa
• Other: TikTok- @venessaperuda
  Vimeo- Venessa Peruda

Image Credits

Alix Schwartz
Phil Provencio