Fortune Teller

Stand-up comic Fortune Feimster will tell all in Phoenix show.

by Deon Brown

ince funny gal Fortune Feimster had her TV debut on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” in 2010, America can’t seem to get enough of her. She claims she’s never been inside a Hooter’s, and she joined the Girl Scouts just for the cookies. A born Southerner, storytelling is in her blood, and so is laughter.

ION: You hail from the North Carolina. As a young woman you were officially presented to society as a debutante with a cotillion. Can you tell us a little bit about that?

Fortune Feimster: Ah, yes. Something my mom had done when she was young, but it was obviously not something I was interested in. I did it for her, and had to wear a big, white dress and escorted to the ball by my brothers. It wasn’t really my style, but when you’re 18-years-old you kinda do what your mom wants; I was a fish out of water of water for sure. I look back at it like, “That was so weird when I ‘came out’ to society.” In a way I had two “coming outs.” (laughs)

ION: You’ve done entertainment journalism, stage, improv/sketch comedy, movies, television, Netflix, internet series, voice talent for The Simpsons, and the animated HBO series Velma, Pixar’s Soul, judged on RuPaul’s Drag Race, have a Sirius XM radio show, and your own podcast, Sincerely, Fortune. What’s the most challenging, interesting, or gratifying?

Fortune: Oh gosh! I love ‘em all! I love doing so many different things, but the most gratifying is stand-up. I like the material I write, the stories I tell about my life and myself. I like to go on the road, meet people, hear that laughter. It’s such a powerful and wonderful feeling coming from an audience. With movies it’s weird not to get the feedback; you’re on set, you have a script, you just have to trust that it’s working.

ION: In the comedy movie Party (2016) you played an Uber driver. ( Are you Carol? You look like a Carol …” bit really seemed all so very it scripted?

Fortune: It was mostly improvised. It was written to be a bit of a throwaway. They asked me if I had any ideas, or direction making the scene better. It was an “in the moment” kind of thing. I like playing characters that are confident, kinda living in their own world, maybe not so informed. Not worrying about every other little thing.

ION: You were married in October, 2020, during the middle of the pandemic. What was that like? Did you have special wedding masks made?

Fortune: It was small. We only about four friends and planned it in three weeks. It was very last minute. A very intimate thing. We couldn’t have our families there, because of the pandemic, but it was a very special day.

ION: Were your wedding vows funny?

Fortune: (laughs) No, it was pretty serious, really. More sweet than funny.

ION: Your comedy is fearless; but do you have any insecurities? Tell us one …

Fortune: Gosh! We all have insecurities! Not even the most confident person doesn’t have insecurities. Mine are the usual: “Am I doing good enough? Is the material strong enough?” I’m very hard on myself that way. It all requires time and practice. Some of doesn’t work; you learn to get a thicker skin.

ION: What would you like our readers to know about you that might surprise them?

I’m chill; I’m not a very high-strung person. They might be surprised to know I’m more reserved. I like watching and observing other people do their thing. I really don’t need to be the center of attention. Most people that know me who see my stand up, see that I’m very true to being who I am. I’m not always bouncing off the walls.

ION: Tell us about your “Live Laugh Love” tour you’re bringing to Phoenix.

It’s all new material, it won’t be anything from my special, “Good Fortune,” but I’ll be picking up where that left off, my mom, my relationship with Jack, back and forth with the crowd. It’s a really fun night. For an hour and half, I like making people feel better than when they got there.

You’ll feel better about yourself after you see Fortune’s stand-up comedy show, “Live, Laugh, Love” on Saturday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St. in Phoenix. Get your tickets at CelebrityTheatre.com or call the box office at 602-267-1600