No Payne, No Gain.

Our interview with three-time Canadian Comedy Award winner, Nikki Payne.

Courtesy of Lauren Hammersley

Whether you saw her on NBC’s Last Comic Standing or Much Music’s Video on Trial, Nikki Payne made a lasting impression in your mind. Be it the lisp, the air humping, or literally eating out her own hair extensions, this award-winning comedian leaves you jaw-dropped and begging for more (that’s what she said). So how does your average Nova Scotian master the art of dragging comedy out of its comfort zone? After a quick Q&A with Nikki herself, here’s what we learned:

Pony: How did you go from trailer park to award-winning comic?

Nikki: It’s all a bit a a fluke really. Kind of like how Forest Gump went from border line mentally challenged to owner of the Bubba Gump Shrimp corporation. Only I didn’t meet any Presidents.

Pony: At what point did you realize you could use your lisp as comedic relief?

Nikki: Well, it always made me giggle so I thought, “maybe I could make money spitting on people.”  I was correct!

Pony: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you on-stage?

Nikki: Hmmm, worst thing. Oh, one time I did an afternoon show for Mom’s and babies. It was fucking horrible. Not the show, just my being on it. I had no business entertaining babies! One started crying because I was yelling – then they all started crying. Angry babies everywhere. I had a full on meltdown and ran from the stage. I can handle biker guys in shady bars but a room full of babies scared the shit out of me!

Courtesy of Nikki Payne

Pony: How was the Humber Comedy program? Did you find it useful towards your career?

Nikki: I liked Humber. I met a lot of great people there and if you’re going to take writing or acting classes you might as well do them all in one place. What I usually tell people depends on their age. If they are fresh out of high school I say go to College or University first. Comedy needs life experience to be good and University can help you gain some of that life experience while learning about the world and thus have more to talk about. The Comedy Industry will still be here in four years and it takes a long time getting started so you might as well get a degree while you do open mic nights. If they’re a little older, I tell them to do as many open mic nights as they can for a full year. If they still want to be in comedy after that then a course like Humber’s will be of great value.

Pony: Has your speech therapist ever gotten in touch with you since using them in your act?

Nikki: I think she’s dead.

Pony: Right. Do you find people get intimidated by you in person because of your “no holds barred” style of comedy?

Nikki: I’m actually pretty shy in real life.

Pony: Now that I find hard to believe. So what’s next on your agenda?

Nikki: A pilot I filmed staring Spencer Rice (Kenny vs Spenny) called “Single White Spenny” just got picked up so look for it on Showcase. I am also turning my website into a mini tv channel so you can get all Nikki all the time. Look for it in the fall!

Pony: So, with all the humping and vulgar movements you do on stage, what have your parents said about it all?

Nikki: What vulgar movements do I do besides humping? Haha.

Pony: Well, you certainly mimic a few things. I think you know what I mean! But on to the next, if you could have any superpower in the world, what would it be?

Nikki: Vulgar movements.

*****
For more on Nikki’s upcoming shows and videos, check out her website for updates here, or join her Facebook fanpage here.

– Emma Farquharson.