Zainab Johnson is a Yemeni-American comedian and actress. She is best known as a semi-finalist on NBC's Last Comic Standing. Johnson is a series regular on Amazon's Upload.[1]
Zainab Johnson | |
|---|---|
 Zainab Johnson performing standup at Soul Joel's in Pottstown, PA on January 27, 2024 | |
| Born | Harlem, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Comedian, actress |
| Known for | Last Comic Standing, Upload |
Life
editJohnson was born and raised in Harlem, New York, one of thirteen children of a devout Muslim family.[2] She received her bachelor's degree in mathematics with the intention of becoming a teacher.[2][3]
Johnson later moved to Los Angeles to become an actress.[4] She took a job as a production assistant for comedy shows and began to cultivate an interest in comedy.[4] She gained wider visibility when she appeared on season 8 of Last Comic Standing.[4] Johnson advanced as a semi-finalist.[5]
Career
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In 2016, Johnson appeared on the HBO special All Def Comedy.[6] In 2017, it was announced that a project created and starring Johnson was in development via Wanda Sykes' production company at ABC.[5] That year, she co-starred in the web series Avant-Guardians, opposite series creator Alesia Etinoff.[7]
She was named to Variety's 10 Comics to Watch for 2019.[8]
Johnson co-hosts the Netflix series 100 Humans.[9] She also has a recurring role in the 2020 Amazon series, Upload.[1][10]
Johnson's comedy special entitled Hijabs Off was released as an Amazon Original program on October 20, 2023.
References
edit- ^ a b Sippell, Margeaux (October 11, 2018). "TV Roundup: Sanaa Lathan Joins 'Twilight Zone' Reboot at CBS All Access". Variety. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ a b Friedrich, Adam (February 26, 2019). "Getting Honest With Comedian Zainab Johnson". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ "Zainab Johnson on Women in Comedy and Her Upcoming Sitcom". That's Online. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
- ^ a b c "For Zainab Johnson, convincing people she's Peter Pan, not Rufio, is taking time". Los Angeles Times. July 20, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ a b "ABC Puts Into Development a Comedy About a Muslim Model, from Zainab Johnson & Wanda Sykes". shadowandact.com. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ Petski, Denise (October 14, 2016). "Russell Simmons' 'All Def Comedy' Stand-Up Special Set On HBO". Deadline. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ "'Avant-Guardian' Is The Woke Web Series You Need To Watch". bust.com. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ "Variety Announces 10 Comics to Watch for 2019". Variety. June 13, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ "'100 Humans' On Netflix Is A Great Show To Virtually Watch With Your Friends". Bustle. March 23, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ Petski, Denise (February 20, 2020). "'Upload': Kevin Bigley, Allegra Edwards & Zainab Johnson To Star In Amazon Series; Three More Cast". Deadline. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
External links
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