Interview with Comedian Venessa Fraction
by Diane Alter
BORN IN ST. LOUIS and raised in Chicago, Vanessa is the mother of two and has over a decade of experience captivating fans around the world with her one-of-a-kind storytelling talent. Whether on stage, television, or radio, Vanessa’s mission is to empower her audience to overcome their struggles while laughing at hers. These include bellyaching funny tales of being a single mother, paying child support. or revealing anecdotes on the battle of being a strong, successful black woman.
Vanessa’s television credits include appearances on Comedy Knock Outs and Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks (TruTV), Tales (BET), and a recurring role on BounceTV’s Mann and Wife. Her hilarious and bold stand-up comedy has been showcased on many shows such as HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, 1st Amendment Standup (STARZ), and Mike Epps Live at Club Nokia.
As a writer, Vanessa has worked on The Arsenio Hall Show (CBS), 106 & Park, and The Mo’Nique Show (BET). Her film roles include Barber Shop 2: Back in Business and Kim Field’s Holiday Love: The Rebirth. Her quick wit and sharp humor are featured when she guests hosts entertainment shows like DishNation (FOX). Vanessa kindly sat down for a few minutes to answer some questions for This Week on MV.
TW: What is the one thing the pandemic taught you?
Vanessa: That I really need to work on my gardening skills. I killed so many innocent flowers, plants, and herbs.
TW: Tell us about the first thing you did after lockdown.
Vanessa: Ha! Um, I feel like making a prison reference, but I will not. I want to say I hurried to grab a seat at my favorite restaurant, I booked the first flight to a dope destination, or even better I went straight over to a loved one’s house for a hug. But I really don’t remember. It was all kind of anticlimactic. I probably went to the grocery store maskless or something.
TW: Please tell us how it all started for you?
Vanessa: It all started with me not wanting any woulda, coulda, shoulda’s in my life. I decided to try comedy at an open mic in Chicago after the suggestion of a co-worker. It went really well after my first time on stage. I got booked for a show. I was convinced I had a knack for it, and it turns out I was right.
TW: Do you have a favorite, go-to joke? Vanessa: I have a few “go-to jokes” I lean on. My joke about Sympathy the Bereavement Stripper is a go-to and goes over well at most church events. Ha! It’s actually kind of tough for me to pick a favorite. Because I pick “go-to” jokes according to the situation I am in.
Side note: TW asked Vanessa to share the Sympathy the Bereavement Stripper joke, but she told us to wait for the Comedy Fest)
TW: What is your favorite fan meeting?
Vanessa: My favorite fan meeting is when I go to bed at night and the wind blows and I hear the noise of my box fan. It reminds me of my childhood. I love when we meet every night. But really, I’m not sure. I’ve had some pretty amazing moments with people. I think one of my most memorable memories was a fan (who became a friend) that I met while touring in Germany. I was not aware at the time it was happening, but she would call me after she had chemotherapy. She said it would always make her feel better. She kept swearing she would bring me back to Germany to stay with her and perform for friends and she eventually did. We had an amazingly wonderful time. Unfortunately, she passed away a few years later but thoughts of her remind me of how special my job/ purpose in my career and in life is.
TW: What is the one thing you would grab from your house (after family members and pets) if it caught fire.
Vanessa: I’m not sure. I am not a very materialistic person. I guess it depends on what things of importance were in grabbing site. Most things are insured so, I guess I’d say if my purse was nearby I would grab it because I hate having to replace cards and IDs and such.
TW: What have you recently binged watched?
Vanessa: I watched a comedy series called “No Activity” and watched some episodes of “The Upshaws”.
TW: How do you start your day?
Vanessa: With thoughts of gratitude as I open my eyes.
TW: What are you most particular about? Vanessa: Damn near everything these days. I am really big on respect and protecting my energy and space. So, I can be very particular about almost anything If I feel it’s disrupting my peace. So don’t chew too loudly around me. Lol, just kidding.
TW: My motto is…
Vanessa: We only live one time we can remember…I don’t really have an ending for that. But it seems an appropriate thing to say at times when faced with difficult decisions.
TW: In your opinion, what is the best thing about Martha’s Vineyard?
Vanessa: The feelings you get just being there. I feel so at peace, and I enjoy the people, the views, the food too. But it’s an overall laid-back familiar feeling.
TW: Please finish—maybe one day…
Vanessa: I speak French fluently enough to do a comedy set.
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