Joyelle Nicole Johnson
Joyelle Nicole Johnson | |
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![]() In a 2021 interview | |
Born | 1981 (age 43–44) New Jersey, United States |
Education | Boston College |
Occupations |
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Years active | 2006–present |
Website | www |
Joyelle Nicole Johnson (born 1981)[1][failed verification] is an American comedian, writer, and actress. Johnson has written for the series Broad City and Pause with Sam Jay. She is also an abortion rights advocate. In 2021 she released her debut stand-up album YellJoy, and her debut televised special Love Joy was released on Peacock.[2]
Career
[edit]Johnson began performing stand-up in 2006.[3] She described her comedy as "autobiographical" and frequently pulls from events in her own life to discuss topics like relationships, family, and therapy.[4][5][1] She named Gina Yashere and Michelle Buteau as two of her favorite comedians and close friends.[3] She performed on Late Night with Seth Meyers[1][6] and on the web series LMAOF for OnlyFans.[7] She has appeared on Crashing, Pause with Sam Jay, Search Party,[4] and Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj.[1] In 2020 she was named to Vulture's list of "20 Comedians You Should and Will Know."[3][4]
Johnson performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for the second time in 2021.[6] That year, she also released her debut comedy album YellJoy on Juneteenth. The album, produced by Blonde Medicine, is a compilation of sets she performed at The Comedy Cellar and The Village Underground over a few years.[8] Laurie Fanelli of Rebellious Magazine reviewed Yell Joy positively: "Each track further demonstrates Johnson’s unique talent for converting what would, for most of us, be aggravating scenarios into comedy gold."[4]
She released Love Joy, her first stand-up special in November 2021 on Peacock, with Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers as executive producers.[6][7] The special was filmed at The Bell House on Johnson's 40th birthday.[1] In a positive review, Clare Martin of Paste described the special as "clearly meticulously crafted, from her pacing to her word choice, but she delivers every line with incredible ease. It’s like watching a ballerina gliding across a stage en pointe; she makes it look effortless despite all the practice required."[1]
Johnson is an abortion rights advocate.[3] She tours with Lizz Winstead's Abortion Access Front to educate the public about reproductive rights and raise money for clinic workers.[9][3] In 2024 she hosted the Brigid Alliance gala, which helps provide travel funding for abortions.[2]
Personal life
[edit]Johnson was born and raised in New Jersey.[10] She received her bachelor's degree from Boston College.[11]
Accolades
[edit]- 2022 – Nominee, Critics Choice Award for Best Comedy Special (for Love Joy)[12]
- 2023 – Nominee, Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Comedy/Variety Sketch Series (for Pause with Sam Jay)[13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Martin, Clare (November 5, 2021). "Joyelle Nicole Johnson Knocks It Out of the Park on Debut Special Love Joy". Paste. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ a b "Comedian Joyelle Nicole Johnson Explains Why She Is Not Afraid To Talk About Abortion On Stage". GirlTalkHQ. May 30, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Joyelle Nicole Johnson Is an Abortion Rights Stan". Vulture. October 21, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Fanelli, Laurie (June 18, 2021). "Interview: Joyelle Nicole Johnson on Finding the Funny in Frustration To Create 'Yell Joy'". Rebellious. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ Schulz, Chris (July 29, 2021). "Helpful hilarity: Comedian Joyelle Nicole Johnson finds healing in laughter". The Dominion Post. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ a b c McCarthy, Sean L. (November 4, 2021). "Joyelle Nicole Johnson on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon". The Comic's Comic. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ a b Solomon, Matt (June 3, 2024). "Everything You Need to Know About Joyelle Nicole Johnson, According to Joyelle Nicole Johnson". Cracked. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ Greenough, Jason (July 15, 2021). "Joyelle Nicole Johnson timestamps her personal growth with 'Yell Joy'". Vanyaland. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ Ryzik, Melena (July 15, 2022). "Using Comedy to Push for Abortion Rights". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ "'Wait Wait' for December 14, 2024: Live at Carnegie Hall with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson". NPR. December 14, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ "'Wait Wait' for September 23, 2023: With Not My Job guest John Wilson". NPR. September 23, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (March 14, 2022). "Critics Choice Awards: Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ "2023 Writers Guild Awards: Television, New Media, News, Radio/Audio, and Promotional Writing Nominations Announced". www.wga.org. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
External links
[edit]- 1981 births
- Living people
- 21st-century African-American women writers
- African-American female comedians
- American women comedians
- Writers from New Jersey
- Entertainers from New Jersey
- African-American comedians
- African-American actresses
- American women television writers
- Comedians from New Jersey
- American abortion-rights activists
- Boston College alumni