We were lucky to catch up with Carli Robe recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Carli thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

The first dollar that I earned performing comedy was with my former job. I was asked to perform comedy for The Cleveland Clinic Rehabilitation Department’s Holiday Party. It took place on December 5, 2014. I had only been performing comedy professionally for a month. My first professional performance was on November 5, 2014, I had several co-workers come to my performance at the Cleveland Improv and they enjoyed my performance so much that they reached out to the director of our Rehabilitation department and told her that I would be a great addition to the festivities. They were not excited about seeing the magician that was hired the previous year and wanted a change in entertainment. I excitedly accepted the offer to perform. They paid me $300 to perform for 20 minutes, which was big money for me having only been working on stages for just one month. I was extremely nervous for this performance because the night prior to the performance I BOMBED on stage headlining my first bar show. I mean when I bombed hard, I dropped the ATOMIC comedy bomb on that stage! LOL! It was super embarrassing but I used that failure to my advantage. I started the show with my co-workers talking about the night before my first paid gig. I made several jokes about how hard I bombed. One of my jokes was that “I bombed so hard there was a woman who was deaf and she walked out on the show because I was so terrible.” My co-workers laughed really hard at that joke and from that point I went into my normal routine about working as a healthcare worker. I had my peers laughing so hard and it felt so good to know that one bad night in comedy, doesn’t mean the next night will be the same. I used my failure from the night before to fuel my passion for the next day. It showed me that having resilience and determination to succeed will always get you ahead in life. It showed me to NEVER GIVE UP NO MATTER WHAT LIFE THROWS AT YOU!!!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Carli Robe, aka Comedian Gay-Z. I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio. I have been performing in front of crowds since I was 8 years old. However, I didn’t start working professionally as a comedian until November 2014. My style of comedy relates to all forms of life. I believe that my sole mission in life is to heal the world through comedy. My production company is called Rich Comedic Rockstar Productions. I am currently in the process of writing multiple television shows and box office movies. I have a sketch comedy show in the works and I’m also working on a few short film projects. The fact that I’m a person who was born both genders I can relate to both men and women. I am also Autistic so my comedy is childlike humor. I love my job as a full time comedian and I’m proud of myself for chasing after my dreams. I have recently gained an interest in divinity and have written a few sermons. I hope to spread the message of God’s word to the world. I have to help people understand that although life gets rough, God will always provide you with a way out of any trials and tribulation as long as you stay faithful to The Most High. Never question the plan that God has over your life! God is LOVE and all we need to do is spread a little love to each other and this world will be a better place!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My soul mission in life is to spread God’s word to the world. God’s plan for our lives is simple: He wants us to love him first and love each other like we love ourselves. If we learn how to spread love around the world we can make this world a better place. We can heal the world just by spreading love around. We were made out of love and that’s the only thing that matters in life. Knowing we were all made the same way should help us to know that we are all equal and no one is greater than another. We have to learn how to help each other and we must learn how to understand each other. We should end all jealousy and hatred. We should care for children and protect them. Men should be leading this world with love and women should feel safe to live around good men who are leading us the right way. I truly believe that if we all get on one accord then this world will be a better place!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a comedian is seeing people be happy after me telling them jokes. I love putting smiles on people’s faces. The joy I feel from hearing laughter is a drug that I have been addicted to since I was 8 years old. I want to spread love and laughter throughout all of the lands of the earth. I had audience members come up to me after a show and state that my comedy healed their relationship. There was a couple who was arguing before one of my shows and after the show they came up to me and stated they had planned to break up after the show but my jokes helped them to love on each other again. That’s why I perform comedy! If no one else in the world says they didn’t get anything from my jokes I’ll always cherish that couple that I helped to save their relationship.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bcar6206.wixsite.com/carli-robe-comedy
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlirobecomedy?igsh=MWt3NzY3bGZrOHRmcA==
• Twitter: https://x.com/Carli_Robe_Comd
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@gay-z?si=zt338XcBZxKiGuzU

Image Credits

Diana Farris
Rambeaux Rae Studios