We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michelle MaliZaki a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Michelle, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

It wasn’t even actual money! But the first thing I earned as a creative person was 6 coupons for Cup Noodles. It was in 2016. I wrote a song called Nap Time! by nap8sta. I recorded the song and made a music video, in which I ate a Cup Noodle. I contacted Nisshin, the manufacture for Cup Noodles about my video with a YouTube link, then they sent me those coupons. It was the first ever payment for anything I’ve done other than regular work, and I should still have those coupons somewhere. They are all expired long ago, but it still means a lot to me.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Michelle MaliZaki and I am a middle age Japanese immigrant mom standup comedian. I recently placed second at FunnyFest comedy competition in Calgary, and was a runner-up at US Comedy Contest in 2021.

I had a midlife crisis about 9 years ago, and I started taking an improv class at local park and rec. It led me to take classes at the Second City Hollywood, then their conservatory program. I graduated from the program, and was performing improv with various teams, but I ended up becoming a solo performer. At first, I was singing songs and telling stories because I didn’t know anything about standup comedy! One night, I saw one girl eliciting laughter after laughter. So, I asked a guy sitting next to me what she was doing. He looked at me with disbelief. He told me she was doing standup comedy, and that’s when I decided to become a standup comedian!

I was told at many occasions I am “inspiring,” when I thought the right adjective was “funny!” But now I get it. Standup comedy seems very easy. But not every person who can speak English is a good comedian in English. My English is a second language. And I’m a middle age mom. It’s the least likely combination for a successful comedian. So, I really want to make it as a comedian. Because then, I can show the world anybody can make their dreams come true, and it’s never too late.

Last year, I was awarded a mentorship by the international superstar comedian, Russell Peters by Unlock Her Potential in NYC. I’ve been learning a lot from Mr. Peters especially being a good person before trying to be a good comedian. I’m working one day at a time to be a better person than the day before.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I really wanted to be an actress on American sitcom. When I came to America when I was 19 to go to college, one of the first class I took was an acting class. The professor told me ‘Michelle! You’re a great actor if there’s no line.’ There was no scene to choose from which I can do with no lines for the class. So, after a semester, I gave up.

When I move to Los Angeles, I took acting classes again, but I didn’t have the right visa to really pursue beyond classroom.

When I got my Green Card, I tried again, I got my SAG card, but that was about it.

10 years later, I had a midlife crisis, and started taking improv classes at Second City Hollywood. It was so much fun, and great! Because I didn’t have to learn any lines!! And everything I said was yes-anded by my teammates. After graduating from their conservatory program, I tried again to pursue acting. This time, a casting director told me “you should quit. There’s nothing for you in Hollywood other than non-recurring role like a Chinese laundry lady.”

His words made me think I needed to write something on my own, so I can star in it. I wrote a musical after taking a script writing class at college, but the pandemic hit. Hollywood Fringe, which I was going to premiere the musical was cancelled that year.

Last year, I ended up producing a 4 women storytelling show, “How did you get to LA?” with Christine Blackburn at the Hudson theatre. It was an amazing experience and audience seemed to really enjoy our stories.

Things are changing rapidly in the society, and I’m still hoping to be on a sitcom. But before that, I also want to be a great standup comedian and a one-hit wander. I want to do it to show the world all your dreams can come true if you don’t quit.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I LOVE being a standup comedian. Because I get the result right away. I don’t have to sit around and wait to see if anybody liked my joke, or not. Upon hearing something funny, the audience laugh right then. They never hold the laugh till a week later. I love hearing people laugh and seeing them having a good time.

Sometimes, after the show, people would find me to talk to me, still feeling light from being at a comedy show. I love to see their enjoyment in their eyes. I always felt like an outsider because I am not a main stream anything. But people who come to comedy shows don’t care if you were as long as you’re making them laugh. That’s when I feel I am lucky that I found what I love to do.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.michellemalizaki.com
• Instagram: @mmalizaki
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mmalizaki/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmalizaki/
• Twitter: @mmalizaki
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/michellemaliZAki

Image Credits
Cole Young Keida Mascaro Sade Champagne