Featured Interview: Nicki Wright
Marriage and...Divorce
Self-proclaimed nerd and comedy enthusiast Nicki Wright has performed her hilarious routine across the country and will be featured in the Cinder Block Comedy Festival this year. BanterGirl was thrilled to sit down with Nicki and talk about her move to New York, how she found comedy, and her most embarrassing moments.
You moved from Detroit to New York. What is the biggest difference between those comedy scenes?
The access. In the Detroit area, there are far fewer open mics and shows and only a couple of comedy clubs to perform at, so the access to stage time isn't as easy there as it is here. It's pushed a lot of comics to create their own shows, which is rad, but even those aren't as plentiful as the shows here.
What originally drew you to comedy?
It was something my dad and I enjoyed together, especially in my teenage years. Father-daughter relationships can be incredibly tricky at that time, but we were able to watch standup together and quote comics we loved. It was a great way for us to connect.
What is your favorite thing about living in New York?
The comedic talent here is incredible. I know a lot of funny people from around the country, but watching shows here has been so inspirational and has driven me to work much harder. It’s made my writing and performing much tighter.
What is a great memory you have from your childhood?
The summer I was 8 years old, I moved from Florida to Michigan. Before the school year started, my parents and I took a tour of the elementary school I'd be attending. As we were walking through the school, I thought it was so strange that the whole school was in one building, since my previous schools had rooms that were detached from one another, and we walked outside to get from one to the next. That winter, when it snowed, I remember thinking, "Oh I get it now, I'm very happy someone thought to do this."
What's the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?
Oi, this happened last week. I was running late to work and tried to jump in a train as the doors were closing, but mistimed it, and the doors closed on my face while everyone in the train car stared at me—and got annoyed that I was delaying them. The doors didn't bounce back open, just kept squeezing my face, so I bailed and pulled backwards toward the platform, but the doors caused my glasses to shoot off my face into the train. I tried to reach for them but the doors slammed shut, and a guy grabbed them and held them up to the window as the train started moving, and I ran along with it 'cause I had no idea what else to do. Everyone, of course, was still staring at me like I was a lunatic. It was bananas.
If you could accomplish only 1 thing in 2017, what would it be?
Get my glasses back!
Nicki Wright
Twitter: @ohthatnicki
Instagram: @ohthatnicki
Snapchat: @ohthatnicki