Ahead of the third-annual Upper Left Comedy Festival in Seattle from April 25 to April 27, Fabulous Washington introduces local comedians taking part in the highly anticipated event. Today, meet Juno Men.
Follow at: @seattlejuno
Hometown: Born and raised in Garden Grove, Calif., but currently live in Seattle.
First job: Slinging bagels, doughnuts and other round carbs at my parents’ bagel shop in California.
Favorite ways to spend your free time in WA: I adore having a quiet day of working and reading at whatever cozy coffee shop I can find.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: I recently produced and performed in an all QAAPI (queer Asian American Pacific Islander) show called Funny Queer Asians. One of the reasons I got into comedy was to find community with more queer and AAPI creatives, so it was incredibly gratifying to be able to put on a show celebrating the intersection of two communities I’m grateful to be part of.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: My anxiety about being judged. I’ve known I wanted to do comedy for decades but was always afraid that others would judge me for being a “cringy” artist or worse, for choosing to go down a path that was financially ruinous and irresponsible. But after the pandemic and since coming out as trans, I’ve worked really hard to try to operate with a sense of agency and independent of what I’m afraid other people may think of me.
Someone who inspires you and why: Robin Tran. She was the first trans Asian comedian I became aware of and really gave me a sense of what someone who belonged to my particular intersectionality could do in comedy. She’s incredibly funny, ridiculously original and just an all-around wonderful comedian. Check her out if you ever get the chance.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Comedy, like anything in the arts, can be a really grinding and prolonged journey to get to different career milestones. So cut yourself and everyone you work with some slack. Also don’t be afraid to reach out to anyone you want to work with – most of them will say no, but occasionally you may get a yes!
Favorite quote: “Only kindness matters” –Sue Northup
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: I’ve had two people tell me this week that I’m the last person they’d expect to get a speeding ticket. So many thanks to the Oregon Highway Officer who clocked me going 83 in a 65 on the way to a show.
What makes someone fabulous: Really caring about the people around them. And how cool their pants look. Actually mostly their pants. Can you edit this so that my answer is only pants?