Leslie Liao

Leslie Liao
Born
Orange County, California
NationalityAmerican
Alma materUSC 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.

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]

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. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c 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.