Leslie Liao

Last updated
Leslie Liao
Born
Orange County, California
NationalityAmerican
Alma mater USC School of Cinematic Arts
OccupationComedian

Leslie Liao is an American stand-up comedian. She formerly worked for Netflix in their human resources department while learning to perform stand-up.

Contents

Early life and education

Liao was born to Chinese immigrant parents and raised in Orange County, California. [1] She describes originally wanting to be a ballerina from a young age, before being drawn to the entertainment industry. She recounts envisioning herself more as an agent or in some other support role. [2]

Liao graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts. [3]

Career

After completing college, Liao's first job was as an assistant producer at Universal Studios in comedy production. [3] She also volunteered to be a talent scout, attending stand-up shows in the evenings to discover new comedy talent. [4] Liao became motivated to try her own hand at stand-up comedy after seeing performances she didn't like: "It all clicked that night, where I realized how much I understood it and loved it, and was so protective over it. I remember almost standing up and being like, 'Give me the mic.'" [4]

Liao took a "calculated approach" to beginning her career, first enrolling in a writing class. [5] While beginning to perform stand-up at local comedy clubs, Liao took a position at Netflix in their human resources department. [6] Liao describes working a 9 to 5 shift, performing at a late night show, and then needing to be ready for an early meeting the next day. [2] Liao made her television debut on the Jimmy Fallon Show and was featured in the Netflix comedy showcase Verified Stand-Up. [7] Liao resigned from Netflix in December 2023. [8] She said her bosses were "so cool and supportive" and encouraged her to pursue her comedy career: "My bosses at Netflix saw me on Netflix. They saw me on Jimmy Fallon. They were like, 'Go be a star.' They didn't fire me, but they were like, 'It's your time.'" [2]

Reception

Liao's comedy style focuses on her experience as a single Chinese-American woman living in Los Angeles. [5] Brian Logan of The Guardian praised Liao as well suited to performing stand-up, while also saying her set was "neither adventurous nor well crafted" but her "open and engaging manner [made] it a perfectly companionable hour". [9] Her act has also been called relatable and "hilarious in her execution and perspective". [10]

Awards and honors

Liao was selected as one of the New Faces of Comedy for the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival. [5]

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References

  1. ↑ De Los Santos, Brian (May 2, 2024). "Dating In LA Can Be 'Aggressive' — And Funny. Comedian Leslie Liao Has Thoughts". LAIst.com. Gothamist . Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 Brodsky, Rachel (April 17, 2024). "How Leslie Liao left Netflix's HR department to become a rising star in stand-up". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  3. 1 2 Howard, Courtney; Laffly, Tomris; Plunkett, Paul; Riley, Jenelle (July 16, 2024). "Troy Iwata, Jackie Fabulous and Ralph Barbosa Among Variety's 10 Comics to Watch for 2024". Variety . Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Grobar, Matt (December 15, 2023). "Comedian Leslie Liao Breaks Down Her Journey From Netflix HR Gig To Netflix Special: "It Almost Was Like A Superman-Clark Kent Thing"". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 Yuccas, Jamie (December 11, 2023). "Comedian Leslie Liao talks creative process, growing up in Orange County as child of immigrant parents". CBS News . Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Leslie Liao: "I remember thanking myself for going to so many open mics"". Square Mile . March 12, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  7. ↑ Paul, Tyson (October 26, 2023). "Leslie Liao Announces "NightTime Routine" Comedy Tour". WeOwnTheLaughs.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  8. ↑ Solomon, Matt (February 28, 2024). "5 Weirdly Awesome Ways Working in Netflix HR Helped Leslie Liao Blow Up in Comedy". Cracked . Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  9. ↑ Logan, Brian (March 20, 2024). "Leslie Liao review – heard the one about the Netflix staffer turned standup?". The Guardian . Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  10. ↑ Melero, Angela (February 14, 2024). "Comedian Leslie Liao Talks Dating & The Importance Of "Text Chemistry"". TheZoeReport.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
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