Today we’d like to introduce you to Kalea McNeill.
Hi Kalea, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am from Fairfield, CA where I inherited the love for stage performance at a young age, participating in school plays, church events, and various oratorical competitions. I attended Clark Atlanta University and graduated in 2009 with my Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts. While on campus I became one of the “go-to” hosts for events and shows, which slowly groomed my love for live performance. After college, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my acting career. The first few years, I worked in corporate America while trying to “act” and “do comedy” on the side. Finally, I had had enough and quit my job back in 2016. Things got VERY real VERY quick. I had to give my all to my craft. Once I did that, everything started to fall into place
You can see my live stand-up throughout the country. Dates are available via KaleaMcNeill.com. My television credits include TNT, CBS, TruTV, and FX. Catch her new standup special via Amazon Prime Video’s “Laugh After Dark” series.
“Find a way or make one” – Clark Atlanta University. A quote that Kalea puts at the forefront of all her endeavors.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This road has been about as smooth as braille. I feel that there are MANY different aspects to “the struggle”. There is the obvious financial struggle, I think there is a far more serious mental and emotional struggle that comes along with this. It’s not easy being everyone else’s smile, but it’s what we do. It’s what we love, but please believe there are some nights you leave a show, ripped the stage, get home and just feel blah. In those moments I just think back on why it is we do what we do.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an actor and standup comedian most known for my role of “Hanifa” on the CW’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. I’m most proud of myself! Let me explain, I’m finally in a point in my career where I’m able to successfully juggle standup and acting, I’m very happy with my team/representation, life is going good right now. What sets me apart from others is my story. When I’m performing standup, the reason it resonates with the audience as well as it does is because I am speaking from a place of 100% truth and authenticity.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Off the top of my head, I would have to say that one of my fondest memories from childhood is when my dad used to take me and my friends to Paramount’s Great America which is a theme park up in the bay area. I loved it a lot because my mom was never really a rollercoaster person, she’d take us, but she was definitely holding the bags in line while we rode. It’s just a different experience when everyone rides together, especially as a kid. Just to see that huge man (my father) hollering for dear life on a rollercoaster was enough for me
Contact Info:
- Email: Kaleamcneill@gmail.com
- Website: KaleaMcNeill.com
- Instagram:instagram.com/WhateverKalea/
- Facebook: Facebook.com/KaleaFunny
- Youtube: Youtube.com/WhateverKalea
