Luenell - One of the most popular female comics on the comedy circuit
I had the honor of interviewing Luenell on October 24, 2019. I have been a fan of her work for some time. Luenell is also known as the Original Bad Girl of Comedy! She is one of the most popular female comics on the comedy circuit. I couldn’t wait to catch up with her and discuss, her part in the all-star ensemble cast of the new Netflix movie, “Dolemite Is My Name,” starring comedic legend Eddie Murphy, landing on Netflix on October 25th. Two Eddie Murphy movies in one year! Luenell is also part of the all-star cast of “Coming to America 2,” starring Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall. The highly anticipated film is currently filming in Atlanta, and due out next year.
Luenell grew up in the Oakland area, and got her jump in showbiz, hosting a cable show, called “Soul Beat,” ran by Chuck Johnson. The show started in 1978 running until 2003, it discovered all the major Oaktown artists including Digital Underground, MC Hammer and Too Short. Luenell credits that experience and the connections she made to that show, back in the late 1990s, for making her a “hood star” before landing in Los Angeles.
Shauna -Luenell, I understand that you knew Rudy Ray Moore, what insight did that give you filming.
Luenell – Rudy was a guy with a dream and tenacity. Rudy wouldn’t take no for an answer. The takeaway, if someone builds a roadblock, plow it down or go around it. If someone tells you no, don’t take that for an answer. He really had a lot of stick-with-it-ness and determination and that is inspiring.
Shauna – You have another movie coming out with Eddie Murphy, is there a snippet we can get on your character in the movie “Coming to America 2”.
Luenell – No, (I was laughing out loud). It is the best script I have read in my entire career, it is going to be an amazing film. Ruth E. Carter is the wardrobe designer for the movie, she did Black Panther and Dolemite Is My Name. I’m very very proud to be a in this movie, two Eddie Murphy movies in one year.
Shauna - I understand you’re a big fan of Nipsey Hussle. What impact do you think he had on our community?
Luenell – I think he really left a message of Black Entrepreneurship. He really had people start thinking of having their own businesses, he had tenacity and stick-with-it-ness like Rudy did. He was a gang banger teaching about real estate ownership, it’s not about where you came from it’s about where you are going.
Make sure you tune in on Monday night, October 28, 2019 to see Luenell on Jimmy Kimmell Live on ABC
Luenell currently has a residency at Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club in Las Vegas, every Sunday night at 10 pm until January 5, 2020, for tickets click here.
Luenell is social –
