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She sells out every show she does.
By Samantha Maffucci — Written on Jan 07, 2019
If you haven’t started watching Comedians of the World on Netflix, what exactly are you doing with your life? The new series premiered on January 1st and features 30-minute stand-up routines from 47 comedians, hailing from all over the globe, including Germany, India, America, and New Zealand, just to name a few.
And one of those comedians featured from New Zealand is Urzila Carlson. But who is Urzila Carlson? Not only is she a multi- award-winning comic who is quite popular in the southern and eastern hemispheres, but she has a “natural cheeky, straight-up style,” according to her own website. Clearly an underrated comic, here are 6 details to know about her life and how she rose to the top.
1. She was born in South Africa.
Carlson is from South Africa, but moved to New Zealand in 2006, starting out as a graphic designer in advertising. She says that although she misses her home country, she can’t live there due to the crime. She’s been subjected to carjackings, home invasions, and was held at gunpoint.
When she returned a few years ago for the first time, she recalled, “It had gone downhill so fast. It was like when you see a good friend who’s been drinking hard. It’s not in a good way.”
2. She’s married.
She currently resides in Auckland, New Zealand with her wife, Julie, and their two children.
3. She’s appeared on television shows.
Though people in the states probably haven’t heard of Carlson, she’s quite popular down under. She’s appeared regularly on the Australian shows Have You Been Paying Attention, Spicks and Specks, and Dirty Laundry, as well as New Zealand shows 7 Days, Super City, and Road Madness.
4. She’s an author.
Her memoir, Rolling With the Punchlines, came out in 2016, and tells about her life in comedy, growing up with a rough childhood, and her struggle to come out as gay.
5. She got a late start in comedy.
Carlson didn’t get her start in comedy until she was 32 and before that, worked as a typesetter in newspapers in South Africa.
She took the stage for the first time in 2008, and recounted the moment she got up to perform: “Terror. It was absolute terror. I nearly broke the mic stand, I was holding on to it so tight. I remember my first proper kiss, my leg wouldn't stop shaking; the same happened with comedy. That's only happened twice in my life: my first pash, and my first time on stage.”
6. She always sells out her shows.
Since 2009, she has sold out every solo show she’s performed. She’s had five sold out seasons at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and has also sold out festival shows in Perth, Sydney and Adelaide Comedy Festivals.
Samantha Maffucci is an associate editor for YourTango who focuses on writing trending news and entertainment pieces. In her free time, you can find her obsessing about cats, wine, and all things Vanderpump Rules.