¨I went for auditions with zero jokes and got thrown out¨ Churchill Show´s only Somali comedienne recalls

Kenyan Somali female comic, Nasra Yusuf is now flying high with the industry´s heavyweight but her start was rough and messy.

During her interview with Willis Raburu on Daybreak show, the only female Somali comedienne in the platform, spoke of her humble beginnings.

Nikiongea, watu walikuwa wakisema mimi ni mfunny, nitafute Churchill niaanze kutafuta maauditions. So in 2017 nilislide DM Facebook page ya Churchill show nikamwambia ´hey Churchill am an upcoming comedianne and am very funny. I would like to be the first female Somali comedian. Niambie auditions huwa ziko wapi I would like to come.´

So in 2017 nilislide DM Facebook page ya Churchill show – Nasra Yusuf narrates

Soon enough, she got her reply and was utterly impressed that she could actually take her talent to the next level.

So he replied ´hey Nasra come for the auditions on Tuesday at Carnivore´. At the back of my mind, I thought, ´ni Churchill amereply´. So mimi nikaambia watu Churchill ameniongelesha akaniambia Sunday nitakuwa kwa TV.

First audition

Day marked on the calendar, Nasra started her journey in comedy but it didn´t go well for her.

I was told we have heard all of this wewe enda utafute jokes alafu urudi – Nasra Yusuf

Reason being: she was unprepared.

Nikaomba mathe fare ya kuenda auditions. So mimi huyo Tuesday nikaenda Carnivore. Wee! sijawai ona kitu kama hiyo. Niko hapo kwa stage na a group of people wako hapo wananisikiliza. Mimi sikujua walikuwa wanasikiliza, nikaambiwa they want to hear my jokes na mimi sikuwa nayo. Nikachukua mic nikaanza kupiga jokes za Chipukeezy zote. Then those people told me ´we have heard all of this wewe enda utafute jokes alafu urudi.´

Breakthrough

After the rejection, she called it quits until a colleague informed her of some local comedy auditions and that is how she started off at KBC.

I auditioned a second time and got a job at a local media house – Nasra Yusuf

Since then, her star only shone brighter, despite couple rejections.

I auditioned a second time and got a job at a local media house. It took a while before I got into Churchill Show.

Interview

About this writer:

Gloria Katunge