Giggle Goddess: Iselle Slome

When she’s not making you laugh as a crazed computer hacker on BAMF Girls Club, funnygirl Iselle performs in the sketch group ArthurORmarthA and improv troupe Tiny Marbles!
Connect with Iselle on twitter!
Iselle Slome 

What’s your favorite cupcake flavor?

Damn it. BLUE VELVET! THERE I SAID IT!

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

I have a million answers for this question. It’s the kind of topic I could write a book about.

The truth is, I didn’t really mean to pursue a career in comedy. I didn’t even really realize I was funny until like, college. First of all, I’m not really the “funny one” in my family. My brother Brian is seriously the most hilarious human being I have ever met. Second of all, I was teased by my peers growing up. Like, relentlessly. I used a lot of defense mechanisms, but mostly they were the angry kind. Only later, in college, when I moved away from my hometown and all the people who had known me forever did I realize that actually – people laugh at the stuff I say. Also my anger is hilarious.

Then, after college my friend Sarah Buster (now Sarah Brooks) practically forced me to start doing stand up, and writing sketch. I’m thankful for that everyday. Sometimes it takes someone else seeing something in you for you to really be able to acknowledge and appreciate it yourself. My family was over the moon about it, actually, as well. Their encouragement has been a huge motivator for me. When I make my dad laugh I seriously high-five myself in my mind.

If Chuck Norris were to corner you in an alley and challenge you to a duel, what would be your weapon of choice?

A duel? Oh man! I’ve been waiting my whole life for this!

First I just wanna say, I hope when he challenges me, he declares it with dramatic pauses and a French accent. My weapon of choice will be the black left-handed glove from which I pinch each of my fingers loose individually. I will then, with my other hand, grasp the four glove-fingers, slip off the glove and slap my opponent in the face with it. He will be so stunned, so completely taken aback by my class and air of self-importance that he will immediately surrender. Slome: 1, Norris, 0.

What are some challenges you’ve faced since going down the comedy track and what, in your experience, has made those obstacles worth overcoming?

Mostly I find the business side of things challenging. I’m just not businessy. When people even act serious and businessy around me sometimes it’s hard for me to keep a straight face. But like, in your career, when you have to stop playing and pay attention to that? To forms and numbers and who’s who? Ew, I’m not good at that stuff. But I have to be! I have to learn. TEACH ME!

What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever heard/seen?

I once saw a squirrel fall out of a tree. Look. I know that doesn’t sound that funny but hear me out: it was a REALLY tall tree. And a really stunned squirrel, turns out. He was mostly fine. He looked me in the eye, got super embarrassed, and ran away. No one else was there, it was just a personal little moment of living in a cartoon that G-d gave me and I’ll remember it forever.

Which comedienne, dead or alive, would you love to work with/meet?

Carol Burnett, Tracey Ullman, or of course Tina Fey and the heavy hitter SNL ladies.

In what ways do you think you’ve improved or evolved since your first comedy venture?

I just feel like I understand it more, and I feel more confident in it. I’ve also been able to do improv without breaking which is new, and I feel is a pretty big accomplishment on my part.

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What long-term/short-term goals do you have for your career?

Of course I want a sitcom! But just to be working professionally and paying by bills doing the one thing I love the most without needing a day-job. That’s my short term goal!

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 really don’t! The cool thing about being sort of unknown is that you’re still kind of getting to do it for yourself. For the fun of it, or for the art of it. I’m gonna play around and express myself and be ridiculous and cuckoo bananas on stage until I can’t anymore. That way, my audience can choose me.

What’s your favorite part about playing your character in BAMF Girls Club?

1) I was a spikey haired punk rocker in high school. YES. 2) In college I was OBSESSED with hackers 3) Being creepy for laughs is like, second nature to me. Obviously.

When you’re not writing/performing comedy, you’re…

Hanging out with my friends, seeing live music, midnight impromptu apartment dance party with my roommate or whatever friend happens to be over (PJ or Inappropriate-Underwear-You-Look-Ridiculous-Unless-The-Blinds-Are-Closed dress code strictly enforced), snuggling any cat/dog/horse etc that will let me, daydreaming about getting a puppy, working out, watching pandas on youtube, visiting my family, really wanting that puppy, or doing whatever actual chore or work I have to while busy wishing I was writing/performing comedy.

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What’s the difference between appealing to women and appealing to men?

I don’t know the real answer to this. Sometimes I feel like for women you have to be smarter and for men you have to be grosser. (More gross?) But men don’t like to hear us joke about lady-things and I love joking about lady-things. I guess: women let you joke about lady-things. Other than that, I think it’s more based on the personality of the person and not their gender.

What’s your favorite comedy movie or T.V. show of all time?

The Princess Bride is my favorite movie. It’s also really funny but I don’t know if it’s considered a comedy. Whatever, I make my own rules. Princess Bride.

The title of your autobiography?

“Don’t Worry, I’m Used To It.” Or alternate titles: “This is Making Me Anxious,” “Excuse Me, Where’s The Bathroom?,” “Hey, You Guys Left While I Was In The Bathroom!,” or “This Ends With A Puppy.”

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And an excerpt from that autobiography:

Iselle Slome was born in Benoni, South Africa, the town made famous by her peer and best friend Charlize Theron. Okay maybe they don’t know each other but she thinks they’d have a lot in common and could be really close if they just got the chance. Iselle has been studying theatre since the age of 11 when she premiered in the play “Oliver” at the Del Mar Heights Elementary School to rave reviews from theatergoers. And by “theatergoers” we mean her mom and dad. Heretofore, a dream was born.

Since then, Iselle has received a degree in Theatre and Communication from USC, is also a founding member of the all girls’ sketch group ArhurOrMartha and the improv group Tiny Marbles. She has appeared in various shows, shorts, and independent films, but is most famous for her appearance at her parent’s house to get her laundry done every couple weeks or so. Thanks Mom, I love you too.

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