Giggle Goddess: Ajarae Coleman

Welcome to our weekly Giggle Goddess question and answer session with a comediva out in the world spreading giggles like wildfire. After watching her portray Rain every week on “I Hate LA,” who could resist falling in love with our Giggle Goddess of the week — Ajarae Coleman.

This Q & A will take you deep within the depths of her soul … sorta.

Follow Ajarae on Twitter! And visit her website, www.ajarae.com!

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What’s your favorite cupcake flavor?ajarae-coleman
Cupcakes are usually a little too sweet for me, but I will gladly eat half of a red velvet. Mmm.

What or whom inspired you to pursue a career in comedy?

My family has always been entertained by my sense of humor, so I think they get the credit for showing me how amazing it is to make people laugh (and shake their heads).

If Chuck Norris were to corner you in an alley and challenge you to a duel, what would be your weapon of choice?
A taser. I just kind of want to see what it would be like to taser somebody. Also, because I wouldn’t want to kill him. I like Chuck Norris. On second thought, a taser might not work on Chuck, so I would also want my own back-up squad of ninjas, ready to spring into action at my call.

What are some challenges you’ve faced since going down the comedy track? What are some things that have made all of those obstacles worth overcoming?
Going down any track as a professional performer is challenging simply because there are usually at least 1,499 other people competing with you for the same job. I do it because there’s nothing I enjoy doing more, whether it’s in an audition, in class, on stage, on the web, or on a TV show or film.

What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever heard/seen?
I think it’s so comical to watch a person who is trying (mostly unsuccessfully) to contain her laughter because she’s in a place where it’s inappropriate to laugh … but something funny has just struck her, and there’s nothing she can do about it. Ha. 

Which comedienne, dead or alive, would you love to work with/meet?
I know you said comedienne, but I would love to meet Richard Pryor. If it has to be a woman, I choose Tina Fey. Would LOVE to work with her. Oh my goodness.

In what ways do you think you’ve improved or evolved since your first comedy venture?
I’ve gotten a lot better at performing other people’s material. I was awesome in college at performing my own sketches, but not yet as adept at bringing others’ words to life. I saw a video of a comedic play I starred in at school, and let’s just say … I’ve grown a lot. Okay … it was TERRible. Ugh. 

What long-term/short-term goals do you have for your career?
My short-term goal is to book my next guest star role on a primetime TV show. My long-term goal is to star in features and helm my own show. 

Which character are you most like from “The Divas”?
Well, I’m much more laid-back than Betty Krueger, but I am a CEO-type and enjoy snarky intellectual humor, so I’ll have to go with her. ajarae-coleman_kidAjarae: “On Christmas Day, a few of us would perform pop songs for the rest of the family. Yup, we made microphones out of aluminum foil. I’m the seven-year-old in the middle, and I’m surrounded by my uncle, aunt and sister.”

Do you have a specific audience to whom you play/would like to play? Describe that audience, and why/how you’re playing to them.
I’m happy playing to whomever’s around, but I really like to engage that grumpy person who thinks he’s just too serious to have a good laugh. We’ll see about that.

When you’re not out writing/performing comedy, you are… ? 

Eating or working out. I work out solely so that I can eat with complete abandon.

What’s the difference between appealing to women and appealing to men?
Mmmm …. I’m not sure. I think people find appealing what they can personally identify with. It’s really hard to generalize by gender. 

What’s your favorite comedy movie or TV show of all time? 
That’s so tough, but if forced, I have to choose COMING TO AMERICA. Eddie Murphy is brilliant. I randomly quote lines and scenes from it all the time, and people give me really weird looks. “Just let your soul glow, baby.” See?!

The title of your autobiography?
The Story of an Artist Who May Not Have Gotten Enough Sleep, but Had Fun Getting Stuff Done. Might have to whittle that down a bit, but I’m going with that for now.

[sz-youtube url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XWZuEO9STI” /]
I Hate L.A. Episode 4


Ajarae Coleman began her training in the dramatic arts at her alma mater, Harvard University. Recent highlights of her career in Hollywood include a critically-acclaimed starring role in the stage play, THE GIFT HORSE, television roles on NBC’s DAYS OF OUR LIVES and ABC’s new drama SCANDAL, as well as a variety of roles in independent and web films. She is a charming and quick-witted leading lady, who excels at portraying intelligent, confident, sexy women. Ajarae continues her training in the advanced scene study class at the Beverly Hills Playhouse, and is also a successful voiceover artist and model. In her free time, Ajarae enjoys hosting parties for family and friends with excellent food and wine, and lots of laughter.

 

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