WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.500 You know her. You absolutely love her. Maybe 00:00:02.500 --> 00:00:06.280 as the fiercely loyal, no -nonsense Ruby Hill 00:00:06.280 --> 00:00:08.560 from Good Girls. Right. Always ready with that 00:00:08.560 --> 00:00:11.140 witty comeback, but also that real heart. Exactly. 00:00:11.619 --> 00:00:14.759 Or maybe you know her even better as the iconic 00:00:14.759 --> 00:00:17.379 total scene stealer Donna Meagle from Parks and 00:00:17.379 --> 00:00:19.420 Recreation. Oh, the queen of treat yourself. 00:00:19.839 --> 00:00:22.920 Yes. Taught us all about self -care, preferably, 00:00:22.920 --> 00:00:25.719 you know, with massages and maybe some new rims. 00:00:25.760 --> 00:00:28.379 Mm -hmm. Luxury. But what if we told you that 00:00:28.440 --> 00:00:31.500 Before all that, before she was making us laugh 00:00:31.500 --> 00:00:34.859 until we cried, this amazing comedic talent was 00:00:34.859 --> 00:00:38.280 actually a pre -med student at Duke University. 00:00:38.479 --> 00:00:40.299 And not just that, she then actually worked as 00:00:40.299 --> 00:00:43.500 a chemist. Get out of here! A chemist! It's true. 00:00:43.640 --> 00:00:45.359 One of those surprising facts that just makes 00:00:45.359 --> 00:00:47.969 you rethink someone's whole journey. You know, 00:00:48.130 --> 00:00:49.689 totally like we see these public figures. We 00:00:49.689 --> 00:00:51.649 think we know their story. But then you dig a 00:00:51.649 --> 00:00:54.310 little deeper and wow, they're these fascinating 00:00:54.310 --> 00:00:56.210 layers. OK, so that's our mission today, right? 00:00:56.270 --> 00:00:58.210 That's it. We're going to peel back those layers 00:00:58.210 --> 00:01:01.390 on the unexpected and honestly incredibly inspiring 00:01:01.390 --> 00:01:04.909 life of Marietta Sangai Sirleaf, known professionally, 00:01:04.930 --> 00:01:07.510 of course, as Reda, the one and only. That's 00:01:07.510 --> 00:01:11.109 right. So we're going to explore how she navigated 00:01:11.109 --> 00:01:15.599 this path, this wild journey from. the super 00:01:15.599 --> 00:01:18.620 precise analytical world of science. Yeah, labs 00:01:18.620 --> 00:01:21.920 and formulas. To the spontaneous, sometimes totally 00:01:21.920 --> 00:01:25.680 chaotic stage of comedy and acting. It's quite 00:01:25.680 --> 00:01:28.079 the leap. We'll dig into the unique experiences, 00:01:28.659 --> 00:01:31.900 the choices she made that shaped this incredible 00:01:31.900 --> 00:01:34.920 multifaceted career and really show how this 00:01:34.920 --> 00:01:37.680 isn't just like a list of roles she played. No, 00:01:37.680 --> 00:01:39.879 not at all. It's really a testament, I think, 00:01:40.099 --> 00:01:42.790 to the courage it takes to pivot. to follow your 00:01:42.790 --> 00:01:44.829 passion. Even when it takes you down some really 00:01:44.829 --> 00:01:47.489 surprising roads. Exhilarating, maybe. Definitely 00:01:47.489 --> 00:01:49.390 exhilarating. And sometimes, as we'll find out, 00:01:49.469 --> 00:01:52.150 maybe even a little bit, nauseating roads. Huh, 00:01:52.469 --> 00:01:55.769 OK, I'm intrigued by that. Indeed. So get ready, 00:01:55.769 --> 00:01:57.489 because we're going to discover her surprising 00:01:57.489 --> 00:02:00.409 Liberian family ties and this connection that 00:02:00.409 --> 00:02:02.250 goes right to the top, like national leadership 00:02:02.250 --> 00:02:06.430 level. Wow. We'll also delve into how her church 00:02:06.430 --> 00:02:09.490 community, this global network, literally rallied 00:02:09.490 --> 00:02:12.080 to vote for her in an early contest. helps kickstart 00:02:12.080 --> 00:02:16.520 things. No way. Yeah. And we'll uncover the delightful 00:02:16.520 --> 00:02:19.319 kind of double secret behind her stage name, 00:02:19.460 --> 00:02:22.560 Retta. Ooh, a double secret. Love it. And maybe 00:02:22.560 --> 00:02:25.360 most importantly, we'll explore the sheer grit, 00:02:26.099 --> 00:02:28.159 the vulnerability it took for her to overcome 00:02:28.159 --> 00:02:30.840 really intense stage fright. The nauseating part. 00:02:30.900 --> 00:02:33.419 That's the one. To become the comedic powerhouse 00:02:33.419 --> 00:02:36.520 she is today, it's a journey just packed with 00:02:36.520 --> 00:02:40.370 a -ha. moments and, well, just so much personality. 00:02:40.650 --> 00:02:42.389 It really leaps out at you, doesn't it? Okay, 00:02:42.430 --> 00:02:44.110 let's dive straight in. Let's do it. We're starting 00:02:44.110 --> 00:02:46.129 this deep dive right at the beginning, tracing 00:02:46.129 --> 00:02:49.449 that unlikely path from, like, aspiring doctor 00:02:49.449 --> 00:02:52.469 to celebrated performer, pre -med to punchlines. 00:02:52.590 --> 00:02:54.680 It's a huge transition. And it really hints at 00:02:54.680 --> 00:02:57.020 this core adaptability, I think, that defines 00:02:57.020 --> 00:02:59.460 her whole career. Absolutely. And to really get 00:02:59.460 --> 00:03:01.360 it, you have to go back to her roots. So she 00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:04.560 was born Marietta Sengai Surleaf, April 12, 1970, 00:03:04.659 --> 00:03:07.020 in Newark, New Jersey. OK, Jersey girl. Mm -hmm. 00:03:07.539 --> 00:03:10.560 But her heritage immediately stands out. She's 00:03:10.560 --> 00:03:13.400 of Liberian descent. And this isn't just a cultural 00:03:13.400 --> 00:03:16.520 background thing. Right. It connects her to some 00:03:16.520 --> 00:03:19.580 pretty significant global figures. For instance, 00:03:20.139 --> 00:03:23.560 her amp. by marriage, look at this, is the former 00:03:23.560 --> 00:03:25.939 Liberian president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Wait, 00:03:26.060 --> 00:03:29.360 the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf? Nobel Peace Prize 00:03:29.360 --> 00:03:33.800 winner. That's the one, a Nobel laureate. It's 00:03:33.800 --> 00:03:36.419 a remarkable piece of her personal history, this 00:03:36.419 --> 00:03:39.819 thread of international statesmanship just woven 00:03:39.819 --> 00:03:42.419 into her family tapestry. That is incredible. 00:03:42.560 --> 00:03:44.400 Yeah, most people probably have no idea. And 00:03:44.400 --> 00:03:46.439 it provides this fascinating backdrop to her 00:03:46.439 --> 00:03:48.419 upbringing. That adds such a layer of, I don't 00:03:48.419 --> 00:03:50.780 know, unexpected gravitas, doesn't it? It really 00:03:50.780 --> 00:03:53.259 does. But geographically, her formative years 00:03:53.259 --> 00:03:55.139 were really rooted in the Garden State. She grew 00:03:55.139 --> 00:03:57.719 up mostly in Edison and then the Cliffwood Beach 00:03:57.719 --> 00:04:00.419 section of Aberdeen Township, also in New Jersey. 00:04:00.599 --> 00:04:03.099 Right. She went to Matawan Regional High School, 00:04:03.159 --> 00:04:05.780 graduated in 88. And it's part of her background 00:04:05.780 --> 00:04:08.000 she talks about, actually. So it made her a little 00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:10.639 bit ballsier, a little more outspoken. You can 00:04:10.639 --> 00:04:13.620 totally hear that. That New Jersey directness, 00:04:13.659 --> 00:04:17.180 that wit, it shines through in her. in her characters. 00:04:17.699 --> 00:04:19.579 Definitely. It seems like that early environment 00:04:19.579 --> 00:04:22.000 kind of fostered that resilience, you know? That 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:24.899 unapologetic voice. And that Jersey grit, that 00:04:24.899 --> 00:04:27.600 outspokenness, it probably served her incredibly 00:04:27.600 --> 00:04:29.480 well, especially when you think about her academic 00:04:29.480 --> 00:04:33.500 journey. Ah, okay. So Duke. Yes. In 1992, she 00:04:33.500 --> 00:04:35.779 graduated from Duke University down in Durham, 00:04:35.980 --> 00:04:38.519 North Carolina. But what's really intriguing 00:04:38.519 --> 00:04:41.040 about her early years there is her initial plan. 00:04:41.720 --> 00:04:44.680 She was pre -med. Pre -med, wow. Think about 00:04:44.680 --> 00:04:47.480 that. Pre -med is like one of the most structured, 00:04:48.160 --> 00:04:50.339 demanding, intensely competitive paths you can 00:04:50.339 --> 00:04:53.259 take. Totally. High pressure. Often seen as this 00:04:53.259 --> 00:04:56.860 direct pipeline to a very specific high stakes 00:04:56.860 --> 00:05:00.639 profession, medicine. Yet she ultimately graduated 00:05:00.639 --> 00:05:03.339 with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology. 00:05:03.620 --> 00:05:05.279 OK, see, this is where it gets really interesting 00:05:05.279 --> 00:05:08.069 for me. Right. That academic pivot. From the 00:05:08.069 --> 00:05:09.949 scientific rigor, the sort of black and white 00:05:09.949 --> 00:05:13.149 answers maybe of pre -med, to the broader, more 00:05:13.149 --> 00:05:15.949 human -focused lens of sociology. That suggests 00:05:15.949 --> 00:05:17.550 something pretty profound about her character, 00:05:17.569 --> 00:05:20.709 doesn't it? I think so. It hints at this underlying 00:05:20.709 --> 00:05:24.329 curiosity, maybe a willingness to explore different 00:05:24.329 --> 00:05:27.240 fields. And maybe an early clue that her interests 00:05:27.240 --> 00:05:29.740 were more in like understanding people and how 00:05:29.740 --> 00:05:32.660 society works rather than just cellular structures. 00:05:33.180 --> 00:05:36.259 Exactly. And for me, that's such a powerful precursor 00:05:36.259 --> 00:05:38.980 to the massive career shifts she makes later 00:05:38.980 --> 00:05:41.720 on. Yeah. I mean, how many of us started down 00:05:41.720 --> 00:05:44.579 one path, totally clear, future mapped out, or 00:05:44.579 --> 00:05:47.019 so we thought, only to find ourselves pulled 00:05:47.019 --> 00:05:48.839 towards something completely different, something 00:05:48.839 --> 00:05:50.800 that just resonates more deeply. It happens all 00:05:50.800 --> 00:05:53.620 the time. Her ability to just embrace that change, 00:05:53.699 --> 00:05:57.079 even at a place like Duke, it suggests this, 00:05:57.079 --> 00:06:00.360 this foundational adaptability and maybe real 00:06:00.360 --> 00:06:02.660 self -awareness that would define her whole professional 00:06:02.660 --> 00:06:04.740 life. That's an excellent point. It wasn't just 00:06:04.740 --> 00:06:07.430 like, oh, I'll change my major. It feels more 00:06:07.430 --> 00:06:10.050 like a fundamental rethink of her interests and 00:06:10.050 --> 00:06:13.350 strengths, because medicine focuses on the individual 00:06:13.350 --> 00:06:16.750 body, the pathology. Sociology trains you to 00:06:16.750 --> 00:06:18.790 see the individual within the bigger picture, 00:06:18.970 --> 00:06:21.509 the social system. Observing interactions, power 00:06:21.509 --> 00:06:24.720 dynamics. All of it. nuances and for a budding 00:06:24.720 --> 00:06:27.959 comedian and actress, that is pure gold. Oh, 00:06:28.019 --> 00:06:30.720 absolutely. It gives you this rich tapestry of 00:06:30.720 --> 00:06:33.860 human experience to draw from. It makes her humor 00:06:33.860 --> 00:06:36.279 often so relatable because she kind of gets the 00:06:36.279 --> 00:06:39.120 why behind people's quirks, their actions, how 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:41.639 we all interact. Yeah. So that willingness to 00:06:41.639 --> 00:06:44.480 explore different intellectual landscapes. It 00:06:44.480 --> 00:06:46.540 definitely prepared her for the unpredictable, 00:06:46.860 --> 00:06:49.120 very human centric world of entertainment. OK, 00:06:49.120 --> 00:06:51.740 so she's got this robust academic foundation. 00:06:51.850 --> 00:06:55.430 a blend of science discipline, sociological insight, 00:06:55.610 --> 00:06:57.670 you'd think maybe career and academia. Right. 00:06:57.769 --> 00:06:59.949 Or maybe even circle back to medicine somehow. 00:07:00.149 --> 00:07:02.110 You might think. But there was something else 00:07:02.110 --> 00:07:04.029 going on, something equally foundational, I think, 00:07:04.410 --> 00:07:07.050 that gave her this early, really powerful validation 00:07:07.050 --> 00:07:09.769 of her comedic talent. Which was? Her faith and 00:07:09.769 --> 00:07:13.649 her community. Ah, okay. Tell me more. This is 00:07:13.649 --> 00:07:16.189 a really unique, kind of heartwarming part of 00:07:16.189 --> 00:07:19.550 her story. Right. Retta was raised in the New 00:07:19.550 --> 00:07:22.779 Apostolic Church. Okay. And within her church's 00:07:22.779 --> 00:07:26.000 youth group, apparently, her talent for making 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:29.779 people laugh was already a huge asset. It was 00:07:29.779 --> 00:07:32.540 recognized, appreciated, nurtured right there 00:07:32.540 --> 00:07:34.660 in her immediate community. Like a safe space 00:07:34.660 --> 00:07:37.000 to try things out. Exactly. A place where those 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:39.160 natural comedic leanings could first pop up and 00:07:39.160 --> 00:07:41.379 be celebrated. And this wasn't just, like, the 00:07:41.379 --> 00:07:43.680 local church congregation cheering her on. Oh, 00:07:43.680 --> 00:07:46.379 no. This is where it gets wild. This is a genuinely 00:07:46.379 --> 00:07:49.120 global story. There was this pivotal moment, 00:07:49.139 --> 00:07:52.750 right? she competed in her very first TV comedy 00:07:52.750 --> 00:07:56.730 contest. Okay. And something extraordinary happened. 00:07:57.310 --> 00:07:58.829 Members from all over the world from the New 00:07:58.829 --> 00:08:01.589 Apostolic Church rallied around her. You're kidding! 00:08:01.990 --> 00:08:04.470 Nope. They voted for her like crazy, leveraging 00:08:04.470 --> 00:08:06.910 their whole international network, this collective 00:08:06.910 --> 00:08:09.689 global support. It significantly helped her win 00:08:09.689 --> 00:08:12.629 that contest. Wow. And crucially, played this 00:08:12.629 --> 00:08:15.329 direct, undeniable role in pushing her career 00:08:15.329 --> 00:08:18.579 forward, giving her that first big impactful 00:08:18.579 --> 00:08:20.819 public exposure. That's incredible. So it wasn't 00:08:20.819 --> 00:08:24.000 just her talent alone. No, it was her talent. 00:08:24.319 --> 00:08:27.279 Plus this deeply rooted interconnected network 00:08:27.279 --> 00:08:30.319 that gave her a crucial, maybe even monumental 00:08:30.319 --> 00:08:33.820 push. And she talked about it, too. She openly 00:08:33.820 --> 00:08:36.340 mentioned her faith, her upbringing during that 00:08:36.340 --> 00:08:39.100 contest, showed how integral it was to who she 00:08:39.100 --> 00:08:41.399 was even right at the start of her public life. 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:43.799 Imagine getting that kind of validation, not 00:08:43.799 --> 00:08:46.879 just from friends and family, but from a worldwide 00:08:46.879 --> 00:08:49.460 community. Right. It bypasses all that usual 00:08:49.460 --> 00:08:51.980 self -doubt, the isolation you often hear about 00:08:51.980 --> 00:08:54.399 from struggling artists. Yeah. Instead, you get 00:08:54.399 --> 00:08:57.120 this profound sense of external validation, of 00:08:57.120 --> 00:08:59.820 purpose. It's like they were saying, we see your 00:08:59.820 --> 00:09:01.799 gift, we believe in it, we're going to help push 00:09:01.799 --> 00:09:04.070 you forward. That's an immense psychological 00:09:04.070 --> 00:09:06.009 advantage, isn't it? Especially in a field like 00:09:06.009 --> 00:09:08.509 comedy, which is known for rejection. Absolutely. 00:09:08.590 --> 00:09:10.769 It gave her this incredible momentum to really 00:09:10.769 --> 00:09:13.370 launch herself, backed by this collective belief. 00:09:13.590 --> 00:09:17.769 It sounds so powerful. That early, broad validation 00:09:17.769 --> 00:09:20.509 coming from such a personal and global community. 00:09:21.049 --> 00:09:23.250 It must have had a huge impact on her confidence. 00:09:23.450 --> 00:09:26.840 You have to think so. to pursue such an unconventional 00:09:26.840 --> 00:09:29.240 career path. It wasn't just winning a talent 00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:32.440 show. It was like a victory amplified by this 00:09:32.440 --> 00:09:36.019 huge community that saw her gift. It must have 00:09:36.019 --> 00:09:38.120 instilled this incredible sense of purpose, this 00:09:38.120 --> 00:09:42.259 belief that, OK, maybe this crazy path is the 00:09:42.259 --> 00:09:44.600 right one for me. Even if it was the path less 00:09:44.600 --> 00:09:46.419 traveled, it really feels like a foundation, 00:09:46.559 --> 00:09:49.200 doesn't it? A bedrock she built on to find the 00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:51.120 courage for that next big pivot. Yeah, I think 00:09:51.120 --> 00:09:54.330 that's exactly right. So, OK. She's got strong 00:09:54.330 --> 00:09:56.809 academic background, that fascinating mix of 00:09:56.809 --> 00:09:59.850 science and sociology, and this incredibly powerful 00:09:59.850 --> 00:10:01.990 early endorsement from her global community. 00:10:02.690 --> 00:10:05.730 So what made her take that massive, seemingly 00:10:05.730 --> 00:10:08.309 impossible leap into the unpredictable, often 00:10:08.309 --> 00:10:10.429 brutal world of stand -up comedy? Especially 00:10:10.429 --> 00:10:13.009 when, on paper, her life seemed headed elsewhere. 00:10:13.389 --> 00:10:15.110 Exactly. That's what we're diving into next. 00:10:15.190 --> 00:10:17.769 The courageous pivot. We're moving now into the 00:10:17.769 --> 00:10:21.110 heart of our deep dive. The courageous pivot. 00:10:21.309 --> 00:10:23.809 This is where Retta's story gets even more surprising, 00:10:23.990 --> 00:10:26.149 even more inspiring, I think. We're talking about 00:10:26.149 --> 00:10:29.549 her journey from working as a chemist by day. 00:10:29.610 --> 00:10:32.250 Still can't quite picture it. To becoming a comedian 00:10:32.250 --> 00:10:35.669 by night. No, that's not like the setup for a 00:10:35.669 --> 00:10:37.889 joke. That was her actual life for a while. It's 00:10:37.889 --> 00:10:40.950 genuinely remarkable. So after Duke... with that 00:10:40.950 --> 00:10:43.049 sociology degree, which was already a pivot, 00:10:43.090 --> 00:10:45.950 right? From pre -med. And even after being pre 00:10:45.950 --> 00:10:47.590 -med, she actually went on to work as a chemist. 00:10:48.289 --> 00:10:51.429 This fact just consistently surprises fans who 00:10:51.429 --> 00:10:54.750 know her for those vibrant, charismatic, comedic 00:10:54.750 --> 00:10:57.889 roles. Totally. It's a career path that, just 00:10:57.889 --> 00:11:00.049 on the surface, feels like the polar opposite 00:11:00.049 --> 00:11:03.049 of where she ended up. Creates this incredible 00:11:03.049 --> 00:11:05.889 dichotomy in her early professional life. Think 00:11:05.889 --> 00:11:07.889 about that contrast for a second. You're in a 00:11:07.889 --> 00:11:10.929 lab. Presumably working with exacting precision, 00:11:11.070 --> 00:11:13.850 following complex formulas, controlled experiments. 00:11:14.009 --> 00:11:17.230 Very methodical, repeatable outcomes, objective 00:11:17.230 --> 00:11:19.850 data. Right. A world of careful methodology. 00:11:20.450 --> 00:11:22.889 But then in her spare time, this same meticulous 00:11:22.889 --> 00:11:25.370 chemist was moonlighting, getting up on stage. 00:11:25.450 --> 00:11:27.309 Doing stand -up comedy at Charlie Goodnights 00:11:27.309 --> 00:11:29.570 Comedy Club in Raleigh, North Carolina. Charlie 00:11:29.570 --> 00:11:32.250 Goodnights. I mean, that name itself just evokes 00:11:32.250 --> 00:11:34.950 that classic, intimate Comic Club vibe, doesn't 00:11:34.950 --> 00:11:38.169 it? Totally. Where legends cut their teeth, future 00:11:38.169 --> 00:11:41.029 stars hone their craft. Sticky floors, maybe. 00:11:41.389 --> 00:11:44.649 Huh. Probably. But it's a tangible detail, right? 00:11:44.769 --> 00:11:47.950 It grounds her humble beginnings in a very specific 00:11:47.950 --> 00:11:51.070 kind of iconic setting. Yeah. And this contrast 00:11:51.070 --> 00:11:54.389 is just fascinating to explore. The methodical, 00:11:54.750 --> 00:11:57.529 precise, often solitary world of chemistry. Where 00:11:57.529 --> 00:12:00.490 variables are controlled, outcomes ideally predictable. 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:03.879 Calculable stakes versus the spontaneous often 00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:06.519 chaotic deeply interactive world of stand -up 00:12:06.519 --> 00:12:08.779 where you're constantly reading a live audience 00:12:08.779 --> 00:12:10.620 Adapting to their energy dealing with immediate 00:12:10.620 --> 00:12:14.460 human responses or maybe worse silence, right? 00:12:14.679 --> 00:12:16.740 What kind of internal drive does that take to 00:12:16.740 --> 00:12:19.480 work a demanding science job all day? And then 00:12:19.480 --> 00:12:22.480 at night brave that stage put yourself out there 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:24.860 for immediate judgment laughter silence whatever 00:12:24.860 --> 00:12:28.039 comes it speaks to an incredible undeniable passion 00:12:28.039 --> 00:12:30.399 just simmering under the surface doesn't it a 00:12:30.350 --> 00:12:32.769 Yeah, a calling that just couldn't be ignored, 00:12:33.110 --> 00:12:34.429 even if it meant leading this kind of double 00:12:34.429 --> 00:12:37.019 life for a while. I think so many of us can relate 00:12:37.019 --> 00:12:40.120 to that feeling, that internal tug of war. You 00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:42.940 know, pursuing hobbies or side hustles that eventually 00:12:42.940 --> 00:12:46.059 grow and maybe eclipse our main, more conventional 00:12:46.059 --> 00:12:49.200 careers. Yeah. Reda's story is such a compelling 00:12:49.200 --> 00:12:52.279 example of that brave transition, taking that 00:12:52.279 --> 00:12:54.679 leap of faith, following where her heart truly 00:12:54.679 --> 00:12:57.620 led, even when it seemed completely illogical 00:12:57.620 --> 00:13:00.559 on paper. It's not just changing jobs. It's like 00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:04.860 a profound shift in identity. shedding one skin 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:07.700 for another that just felt more authentic, maybe. 00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:10.899 And that leap, especially the big move to Los 00:13:10.899 --> 00:13:13.840 Angeles, it wasn't without some significant, 00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:16.419 really gut -wrenching challenges. This was not 00:13:16.419 --> 00:13:18.399 an overnight success story at all. That's absolutely 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:21.320 right. Eventually she made that huge life -altering 00:13:21.320 --> 00:13:23.980 decision, packed up, moved to LA, the Mecca, 00:13:24.139 --> 00:13:26.899 right, to pursue comedy full -time. She started 00:13:26.899 --> 00:13:29.919 doing stand -up professionally in 1996. But here's 00:13:29.919 --> 00:13:32.600 a really sobering, very humanizing detail she 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:35.480 shared. very candidly, that she didn't start 00:13:35.480 --> 00:13:38.899 actually earning money from it until 1998. Two 00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:40.620 years later. Two full years when she started 00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:42.700 touring the college circuit. Think about that. 00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:45.059 Two years of grinding, facing the tough realities 00:13:45.059 --> 00:13:47.539 of the standup scene, fueled purely by passion, 00:13:47.740 --> 00:13:50.240 by belief, without a steady paycheck from it. 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:53.320 That's just profound dedication. It really speaks 00:13:53.320 --> 00:13:56.559 to the sheer grit, the resilience, the vulnerability 00:13:56.559 --> 00:13:59.320 you need in standup. It's a notoriously tough 00:13:59.320 --> 00:14:01.799 business, deep learning curve, high burnout rate. 00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:04.620 For sure. And Red has shared another very human, 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:08.240 very relatable detail about that time. She used 00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:11.460 to get really nauseated before every single performance. 00:14:11.860 --> 00:14:15.200 Oh, wow. Physically ill. Yeah. She described 00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:17.919 it as a feeling that only passed with experience, 00:14:18.460 --> 00:14:21.240 which implies, you know, years of battling this 00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:23.460 intense physical anxiety every time she had to 00:14:23.460 --> 00:14:25.559 step into the spotlight. Imagine that. Feeling 00:14:25.559 --> 00:14:27.659 sick every time you go on stage, but pushing 00:14:27.659 --> 00:14:29.990 through anyway. Night after night. And doing 00:14:29.990 --> 00:14:32.809 it for two years before even seeing consistent 00:14:32.809 --> 00:14:35.789 financial returns, it just completely humanizes 00:14:35.789 --> 00:14:37.789 that often glamorized image of the comedian. 00:14:37.870 --> 00:14:40.009 Totally. Reminds us it takes immense endurance, 00:14:40.570 --> 00:14:43.690 raw courage, and just a willingness to face that 00:14:43.690 --> 00:14:45.830 fear head on to make it in such a competitive, 00:14:46.210 --> 00:14:48.549 emotionally draining field. It's a powerful lesson 00:14:48.549 --> 00:14:51.340 in perseverance. It really is a lesson in trusting 00:14:51.340 --> 00:14:53.799 the process, right? Believing in yourself, even 00:14:53.799 --> 00:14:56.080 when your body is basically screaming, run away. 00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:59.639 So beyond the nerves, there is also this conscious 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:02.159 kind of strategic decision she made about how 00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:04.340 she'd present herself to the world, which is 00:15:04.340 --> 00:15:07.740 critical, right? crafting that memorable, authentic 00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:10.659 stage persona. Absolutely. And what's fascinating 00:15:10.659 --> 00:15:13.179 is how strategic and insightful she was about 00:15:13.179 --> 00:15:15.799 personal branding, even back then, in the early 00:15:15.799 --> 00:15:18.779 days. How so? Well, she decided early on to just 00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:21.600 call herself Retta, professionally, instead of 00:15:21.600 --> 00:15:24.279 constantly explaining her full, longer given 00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:28.009 name, Marietta Sengai Sirleaf. Ah, smart. Easier 00:15:28.009 --> 00:15:30.470 to remember. Exactly. For the audience, for industry 00:15:30.470 --> 00:15:33.490 folks, it creates a more direct, approachable, 00:15:33.789 --> 00:15:35.690 instantly recognizable connection. It's like 00:15:35.690 --> 00:15:39.009 saying, here I am, just me, Retta. Yeah, I like 00:15:39.009 --> 00:15:41.169 that. And her material itself was obviously key 00:15:41.169 --> 00:15:42.970 to forging that connection, too. Definitely. 00:15:43.409 --> 00:15:45.750 She describes her standup as, quote, slightly 00:15:45.750 --> 00:15:48.450 embellished stories from her regular everyday 00:15:48.450 --> 00:15:51.110 life, drawing from family, friends. And relatable 00:15:51.110 --> 00:15:53.529 stuff. Authentic, but with that comedic twist, 00:15:53.649 --> 00:15:56.000 that exaggeration. Right, it makes the jokes 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:58.879 land, because there's a core truth there, even 00:15:58.879 --> 00:16:01.639 if the details are heightened for laughs. It's 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:04.820 not abstract humor, it's grounded in shared human 00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:06.679 experience. You feel like you know the people 00:16:06.679 --> 00:16:08.940 she's talking about, even if they're, you know, 00:16:09.159 --> 00:16:11.379 slightly larger than life in her telling. Precisely. 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:14.580 And this combination, the accessible name, the 00:16:14.580 --> 00:16:16.940 authentic, relatable storytelling drawn from 00:16:16.940 --> 00:16:19.919 her own life, it likely contributed hugely to 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:22.600 her early success. Her ability to connect with 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:25.000 different audiences. Made her accessible. Invited 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:27.360 people into her world, even if it was, like you 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:29.879 said, through a slightly funhouse mirror lens. 00:16:30.340 --> 00:16:33.000 Yeah. It shows this deep, intuitive understanding 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:34.960 of what makes people laugh, what makes them feel 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:37.620 connected to a performer. That shared experience, 00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:39.860 that recognition. She built a brand that was 00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:42.360 both memorable and deeply personal. Okay, so 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:45.120 she's got this budding persona, a clear vision 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:47.700 for her material, and just the sheer tenacity 00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:50.299 to push through the fear, the financial uncertainty. 00:16:50.840 --> 00:16:52.559 She really started paying her dues on the circuit, 00:16:52.659 --> 00:16:55.299 right? Her early career was this mosaic of gigs, 00:16:55.580 --> 00:16:57.960 each one a vital stepping stone, building experience, 00:16:58.179 --> 00:17:01.100 building visibility. Absolutely. Before those 00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:04.779 true breakout roles, she worked diligently. took 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:07.460 every chance to perform, gain that invaluable 00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:09.960 experience in all sorts of settings. Like opening 00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:12.579 for established comics. Exactly. She served as 00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:14.920 an opening act for people like Shirley Hemphill 00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:18.220 and Bobby Collins, which is huge, right? Learning 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:20.819 from seasoned pros, watching their stagecraft, 00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:23.200 honing her own timing in front of bigger crowds. 00:17:23.619 --> 00:17:25.660 Those early interactions are just crucial for 00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:27.940 development. And her early TV appearances were 00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:30.259 super varied, too, weren't they? Showed her willingness 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:32.960 to jump into different formats, prove her versatility. 00:17:33.319 --> 00:17:36.279 Totally. She popped up on Bravo's Welcome to 00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:39.599 the Parker, Ease the Soup, which was huge for 00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:41.819 pop culture commentary back then. Oh yeah, the 00:17:41.819 --> 00:17:45.359 soup. Sitcoms like Freddie, Mosha. She even had 00:17:45.359 --> 00:17:47.259 that memorable little role as a hardware store 00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:50.160 clerk in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Which, 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:52.440 if you know Sunny, is like perfect casting for 00:17:52.440 --> 00:17:54.900 unique comedic voice. Right. And she was in the 00:17:54.900 --> 00:17:57.200 Comedy Divas Showcase on the Ginny Jones Show. 00:17:57.880 --> 00:18:00.319 performed on Premium Blend on Comedy Central, 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:03.420 that show specifically featured up -and -comers. 00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:06.640 Wow, that's quite a list. And it's not just like... 00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:09.380 bullet points on a resume. It's a real testament 00:18:09.380 --> 00:18:12.839 to the breadth of her foundational experience, 00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:15.579 her relentless pursuit of opportunities. These 00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:17.980 were the building blocks. Exactly. The essential 00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:20.339 building blocks of her career. Each appearance, 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:23.259 big or small, added to her repertoire, broadened 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:25.519 her network, got her ready for the bigger stages 00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:28.400 ahead. She was actively constructing the scaffolding 00:18:28.400 --> 00:18:31.279 for her future success. Those early gigs were 00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:33.960 clearly vital. shaping her craft, getting her 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:38.519 noticed. But it was one specific NBC comedy series, 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:42.019 one that actually started off with kind of lukewarm 00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:44.859 reviews that would really launch her into the 00:18:44.859 --> 00:18:47.220 national spotlight, transform her from a working 00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:49.940 comedian into, well, a household name. And that's 00:18:49.940 --> 00:18:52.160 where our journey takes us next. Yes, indeed. 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:55.119 Okay, we are now diving into section three of 00:18:55.119 --> 00:18:57.700 our deep dive, The Breakthrough. This is that 00:18:57.700 --> 00:19:00.079 pivotal moment where Reda goes from being this 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:02.339 promising talent, you know, diligently paying 00:19:02.339 --> 00:19:04.680 her dues. Working in the circuit. To a genuine 00:19:04.680 --> 00:19:07.000 scene stealer. Thanks, of course, to a little 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:09.660 show called Parks and Recreation. Ah, Pawnee, 00:19:09.940 --> 00:19:13.940 yes. In 2009, Reda started making regular guest 00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:16.279 appearances on Parks and Rec as Donna Meagle. 00:19:16.559 --> 00:19:19.920 Treat yourself. The one and only. an employee 00:19:19.920 --> 00:19:22.220 in the Parks Department in fictional Pawnee, 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:25.700 Indiana. And initially, she was kind of hovering 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:27.500 in the background, right? Yeah, she wasn't a 00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:29.079 main character at first. And what's particularly 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:31.460 interesting here is that the show itself, Parks 00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:34.460 and Rec, had a bit of a shaky start. It struggled 00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:37.000 to find its voice, find its audience in that 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:39.579 first season. That's absolutely true. I remember 00:19:39.579 --> 00:19:42.099 reading, she actually said during a stand -up 00:19:42.099 --> 00:19:44.960 set that the job was initially quite stressful 00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:47.119 because of that uncertainty. Like would the show 00:19:47.119 --> 00:19:51.400 even last? Especially with those less than stellar 00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:53.799 reviews it got early on. Right, it just goes 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:56.220 to show even when you land a major network gig, 00:19:56.400 --> 00:20:00.319 which is huge, success Stability, it's not always 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:01.960 guaranteed right out of the gate. No kidding. 00:20:02.200 --> 00:20:04.000 Always that apprehension and creative feels. 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:06.240 But here's where the resilience, the adaptability 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:08.160 of both the show and the actor really shine. 00:20:08.740 --> 00:20:11.299 Yeah. Alan Sepinwall, the TV columnist. Great 00:20:11.299 --> 00:20:14.079 critic. Yeah, really respected. He astutely noted 00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:17.019 that by season two, the episode started giving 00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:20.099 more personality and funnier jokes to Donna and 00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:22.299 other minor characters. Ah, so they started writing 00:20:22.299 --> 00:20:25.720 more for her. Exactly. This subtle but really 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:28.099 significant shift allowed Reda to truly inhabit 00:20:28.099 --> 00:20:31.359 the role. To infuse Donna with her unique comedic 00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:34.200 voice, her strong personality. And that's when 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:36.640 Donna really started to pop, right? Her brand 00:20:36.640 --> 00:20:40.279 of confident, no -nonsense humor. And that luxurious 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:42.400 treat -yourself lifestyle. It just started to 00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:45.420 blossom and totally captured the audience's imagination. 00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:48.240 And blossom she did. Her undeniable talent, combined 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:50.700 with Donna's growing popularity, and the writers 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:53.420 recognizing what they had, it led to her being 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:55.920 upgraded. Full -time regular cast member in season 00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:58.519 three. That's fantastic. Yeah. She was credited 00:20:58.519 --> 00:21:00.440 right after the opening titles for seasons three, 00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:02.380 four, five, and then by season six and seven, 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:04.900 boom, main character. Right there in the opening 00:21:04.900 --> 00:21:07.220 title sequence with the core cast. What a great 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:09.380 ascent. Totally well -earned, reflecting the 00:21:09.380 --> 00:21:12.359 impact she clearly had. It's such a classic Hollywood 00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:15.559 story, really. But rich with lessons, you know. 00:21:16.400 --> 00:21:18.460 Perseverance, the power of a strong ensemble. 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:21.140 You have a show struggling a bit, finding its 00:21:21.140 --> 00:21:24.819 feet. A character quietly gaining traction. An 00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:27.240 actor's hard work, their unique timing, their 00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:29.779 charm, just paying off massively. Highlights 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:32.339 the value of patience too, right? And how a show 00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:35.019 can evolve, find its voice, often through the 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:37.160 strength and chemistry of its cast. Exactly. 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:39.759 It reminds us that even if something starts with 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:42.599 a whimper, with time and talent, it can grow 00:21:42.599 --> 00:21:46.250 into something truly beloved, iconic. Yeah. I 00:21:46.250 --> 00:21:48.750 mean, who hasn't been involved in a project that 00:21:48.750 --> 00:21:51.009 started slow, needed nurturing, but eventually 00:21:51.009 --> 00:21:53.289 grew into something amazing, really impactful? 00:21:54.150 --> 00:21:56.490 Reda's journey with Parks and Rec just embodies 00:21:56.490 --> 00:21:59.309 that perfectly. So with Donna Meagle basically 00:21:59.309 --> 00:22:01.950 becoming a household name and Reda proving her 00:22:01.950 --> 00:22:05.009 incredible comedic chops. Yeah, undeniable. She 00:22:05.009 --> 00:22:07.349 started to strategically diversify her portfolio, 00:22:07.490 --> 00:22:09.529 didn't she? Proving she was way more than just 00:22:09.529 --> 00:22:12.289 a comedic genius. She could bring depth, nuance, 00:22:12.529 --> 00:22:14.549 real emotion to different roles. Absolutely. 00:22:14.710 --> 00:22:17.369 Moving seamlessly between comedy and drama. Okay, 00:22:17.490 --> 00:22:20.730 like what? Well, in 2018, she co -starred in 00:22:20.730 --> 00:22:23.670 another really well -regarded NBC series, Good 00:22:23.670 --> 00:22:27.230 Girls. Ah, yes. With Christina Hendricks and 00:22:27.230 --> 00:22:29.609 May Whitman. Love that show. Right. As Ruby Hill. 00:22:30.029 --> 00:22:33.049 And that role, which she had until 2021, was 00:22:33.049 --> 00:22:36.170 super significant because it showcased a dramatically 00:22:36.170 --> 00:22:38.829 different side of her acting. Mm -hmm. More serious 00:22:38.829 --> 00:22:40.890 stakes sometimes. Healthily. It allowed her to 00:22:40.890 --> 00:22:44.089 blend her natural comedic timing with real dramatic 00:22:44.089 --> 00:22:47.190 tension, emotional depth, dealing with very serious 00:22:47.190 --> 00:22:49.750 high -stakes situations. It was a true testament 00:22:49.750 --> 00:22:51.589 to her range. And it wasn't just good girls, 00:22:51.690 --> 00:22:54.109 right? She did other roles that stretched her 00:22:54.109 --> 00:22:56.549 dramatically. Yeah. She had that significant 00:22:56.549 --> 00:22:59.230 recurring role as Barbara in Bravo's Girlfriend's 00:22:59.230 --> 00:23:02.529 Guide to Divorce from 2015 to 2018. OK. And she 00:23:02.529 --> 00:23:04.390 eventually became a main cast member there too, 00:23:04.549 --> 00:23:06.890 seasons three to five. Another role that required 00:23:06.890 --> 00:23:08.650 more nuanced, character -driven performances. 00:23:08.730 --> 00:23:12.150 And more recently. 2023, she appeared as herself 00:23:12.150 --> 00:23:14.250 on The Morning Show, which is kind of a cool 00:23:14.250 --> 00:23:17.490 meta thing. Yeah. And then 2024, 2025, she took 00:23:17.490 --> 00:23:20.029 on the role of Margo Clarke in a couple of episodes 00:23:20.029 --> 00:23:22.950 of Elizabeth. So still very much in demand in 00:23:22.950 --> 00:23:25.630 scripted TV. OK, and what about film? Because 00:23:25.630 --> 00:23:28.190 I feel like I've seen her pop up in movies too. 00:23:28.329 --> 00:23:31.049 Oh, her filmography is just as extensive, just 00:23:31.049 --> 00:23:34.210 as diverse, really shows her ability to jump 00:23:34.210 --> 00:23:37.549 genres. Like what? Well. Besides her big TV stuff, 00:23:37.970 --> 00:23:40.930 she was in Fracture back in 2007, that legal 00:23:40.930 --> 00:23:44.509 thriller. Oh, right. With Anthony Hopkins? Yeah. 00:23:44.809 --> 00:23:47.990 First Sunday in 2008, a comedy. She lent her 00:23:47.990 --> 00:23:50.509 talents to family films like Alvin and the Chipmunks. 00:23:50.950 --> 00:23:53.549 The road chip in 2015 played a party planner. 00:23:53.690 --> 00:23:56.650 Oh, OK. Grounded comedic roles in middle school. 00:23:57.329 --> 00:23:59.789 The worst years of my life in 2016 is Ida Stricker. 00:24:00.329 --> 00:24:02.410 More recently, she brought that unique energy 00:24:02.410 --> 00:24:05.430 to Good Boys in 2019 as Lucas's mom. She was 00:24:05.430 --> 00:24:07.630 great in that. And she even appeared as herself 00:24:07.630 --> 00:24:10.910 in the star -studded 80 for Brady in 2023. That's 00:24:10.910 --> 00:24:13.009 quite a range. It really is. These aren't just 00:24:13.009 --> 00:24:15.069 random parts. They're moments that have built 00:24:15.069 --> 00:24:17.410 her incredible range, shown she can adapt to 00:24:17.410 --> 00:24:19.049 different directors, different tones, different 00:24:19.049 --> 00:24:21.710 character demands, broad comedy, subtle drama. 00:24:21.829 --> 00:24:24.109 She can do it. And voice acting, too, right? 00:24:24.190 --> 00:24:26.150 Which is a totally different skill set. Conveying 00:24:26.150 --> 00:24:28.470 everything just with your voice. Totally different. 00:24:28.650 --> 00:24:31.269 And she's done a ton of it. She voiced a mystical 00:24:31.269 --> 00:24:34.930 harp in Duck Tales from 2020 to 21. Mrs. Malinky 00:24:34.930 --> 00:24:38.069 and Pingued Malinky in 2019. A mystical harp. 00:24:38.250 --> 00:24:40.650 Love it. Wizard Nightingale in Where's Waldo, 00:24:41.470 --> 00:24:43.549 Duke's Mother in Big Mouth. Oh, Big Mouth. Okay. 00:24:44.210 --> 00:24:46.210 Yeah. Voiced a character in Tuca and Bertie in 00:24:46.210 --> 00:24:49.309 2022. Oh, and adding another layer. She narrated 00:24:49.309 --> 00:24:51.130 the audiobook for Welcome to Night Vale back 00:24:51.130 --> 00:24:54.940 in 2015. voiced Old Woman Josie. No way. That's 00:24:54.940 --> 00:24:57.160 awesome. What an incredible range. Truly a master 00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:59.640 of her craft across all these different mediums. 00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:02.660 This impressive, diverse list just really demonstrates 00:25:02.660 --> 00:25:04.720 her ability to transition seamlessly, right? 00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:07.500 Comedy, drama, live action voice. Yeah. Ruby 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:10.400 Hill, in Good Girls, for instance, often required 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:12.519 that deeper emotional range, more intense character 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:14.940 work than maybe Donna Meikle did, showcased her 00:25:14.940 --> 00:25:17.079 significant growth as an actress beyond just 00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:20.240 landing punchlines. Her extensive film and voice 00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:23.769 work just underscore her remarkable adaptability, 00:25:23.970 --> 00:25:26.710 her consistent demand in the industry, her deep 00:25:26.710 --> 00:25:29.130 versatility. She wasn't just, you know, pigeonholed 00:25:29.130 --> 00:25:31.710 as one type of character. She became this in 00:25:31.710 --> 00:25:34.130 -demand, highly versatile talent. And the industry 00:25:34.130 --> 00:25:36.529 definitely noticed that talent, right? Went beyond 00:25:36.529 --> 00:25:39.309 just casting her. Oh, yeah. Her performance in 00:25:39.309 --> 00:25:41.930 that indie web series, Vampire Mob, that earned 00:25:41.930 --> 00:25:45.109 her a Best Supporting Actress Comedy nomination 00:25:45.109 --> 00:25:48.990 way back at the third Indie Soap Awards in late 00:25:48.990 --> 00:25:52.960 2011. an early nod. She also hosted the third 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:56.160 Critics' Choice Television Awards in 2013, proving 00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:59.140 her charisma just as herself, outside of a character. 00:25:59.339 --> 00:26:01.660 And she was a contestant on Hollywood Game Night 00:26:01.660 --> 00:26:04.849 in 2014, showcasing her personality again. So 00:26:04.849 --> 00:26:07.450 yeah, from character actor to leading roles, 00:26:07.650 --> 00:26:10.470 even hosting, Retta was clearly building this 00:26:10.470 --> 00:26:13.750 powerful, recognizable brand, which, as you said, 00:26:13.829 --> 00:26:16.210 she'd expand even further into unscripted TV 00:26:16.210 --> 00:26:18.630 and writing, showing her full scope as an entertainer. 00:26:19.029 --> 00:26:21.509 Exactly. The multi -hyphenate emerges. We've 00:26:21.509 --> 00:26:23.609 seen Reda conquer the scripted world, right? 00:26:23.690 --> 00:26:26.369 Leaving this indelible mark on TV and film. But 00:26:26.369 --> 00:26:28.250 now we're moving into section four, exploring 00:26:28.250 --> 00:26:30.930 how she truly became this multi -hyphenate. A 00:26:30.930 --> 00:26:33.009 beloved host, a published writer, a significant 00:26:33.009 --> 00:26:35.430 player in the industry, going way beyond those 00:26:35.430 --> 00:26:38.049 initial acting accolades. and this expansion 00:26:38.049 --> 00:26:41.109 into hosting unscripted stuff. It's such a natural 00:26:41.109 --> 00:26:43.529 fit, frankly, a brilliant fit for her personality, 00:26:43.670 --> 00:26:45.789 her comedic timing. Seems perfect for her. Her 00:26:45.789 --> 00:26:47.670 ability to just connect directly with an audience, 00:26:47.730 --> 00:26:49.789 more informally, but still incredibly entertaining, 00:26:50.349 --> 00:26:53.329 that's been key to her appeal. So HGTV. Yes. 00:26:54.069 --> 00:26:56.490 In 2022, Retta started hosting Ugliest House 00:26:56.490 --> 00:27:00.230 in America on HGTV, led seasons one through five. 00:27:00.609 --> 00:27:03.140 And it proved to be super popular. Audiences 00:27:03.140 --> 00:27:06.200 loved her genuine reactions. Her witty commentary 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:10.019 as she toured some truly questionable homes. 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:12.799 Ah, I bet. Her reactions alone must be worth 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:14.880 tuning in for. Oh, totally. And she's not stopping 00:27:14.880 --> 00:27:17.059 there. Building on that success, she's set to 00:27:17.059 --> 00:27:19.539 host Scariest House in America starting in 2024. 00:27:20.039 --> 00:27:22.599 Ooh, OK. Scariest House. That sounds like another 00:27:22.599 --> 00:27:24.960 perfect vehicle for her unique perspective, her 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:27.119 infectious enthusiasm. Right. Her ability to 00:27:27.119 --> 00:27:29.920 find humor and genuine personality in, let's 00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:32.380 say, aesthetically challenged or spookily designed 00:27:32.380 --> 00:27:34.980 houses. It says a lot about her ability to make 00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:38.480 any topic enjoyable. She brings this fresh, relatable 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:40.740 energy, doesn't she? Makes you feel like you're 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:43.519 exploring these places right alongside her, reacting 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:45.839 to every weird design choice or creepy shadow. 00:27:46.119 --> 00:27:50.400 Exactly. And this savvy move into lifestyle reality 00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:54.769 hosting. It solidifies her status as a truly 00:27:54.769 --> 00:27:57.569 versatile TV personality, not just an actress 00:27:57.569 --> 00:28:00.769 in scripted roles. Broadens her appeal. Massively. 00:28:00.829 --> 00:28:03.269 Mm -hmm. It capitalizes brilliantly on her innate 00:28:03.269 --> 00:28:06.250 charisma, her proven ability to make any topic 00:28:06.250 --> 00:28:08.690 captivating. We've all seen shows that take a 00:28:08.690 --> 00:28:10.849 simple premise and make it engaging, right? Mm 00:28:10.849 --> 00:28:12.369 -hmm. Redis Involvement definitely adds that 00:28:12.369 --> 00:28:14.869 special spark, elevates the material beyond just, 00:28:14.869 --> 00:28:17.390 you know, house tours. It's a strategic expansion, 00:28:17.950 --> 00:28:20.130 strengthens her brand significantly, shows her 00:28:20.130 --> 00:28:22.579 as this dynamic. who can carry a show just on 00:28:22.579 --> 00:28:24.339 her personality. And beyond the screen, she's 00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:26.220 also shared her story in a really personal way, 00:28:26.440 --> 00:28:28.799 right, as an author, cementing her status as 00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:30.660 someone who isn't afraid to open up about her 00:28:30.660 --> 00:28:33.539 own journey. Yes. In 2018, she published a series 00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:35.740 of essays in her book. The title is Fantastic. 00:28:36.380 --> 00:28:38.859 So close to being the shut, y 'all don't even 00:28:38.859 --> 00:28:42.910 know. Uh, love it. And this book, it offers this 00:28:42.910 --> 00:28:46.150 fascinating, really intimate window into her 00:28:46.150 --> 00:28:48.569 experiences beyond the characters she plays, 00:28:49.109 --> 00:28:51.309 delves into deeply personal topics. It's quite. 00:28:51.769 --> 00:28:54.950 Well, she discusses her journey with weight loss 00:28:54.950 --> 00:28:57.910 alongside her bestie touching on body image self 00:28:57.910 --> 00:29:00.609 -acceptance. And she shares these candid insights 00:29:00.609 --> 00:29:03.730 into the, quote, joys and adventures of being 00:29:03.730 --> 00:29:06.400 in the Hollywood scene. So not just the glamour. 00:29:06.640 --> 00:29:08.519 No, it's not just a tell -all. It's reflective, 00:29:08.859 --> 00:29:11.779 honest, looks at the realities of her life. Writing 00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:15.160 a book like that, essays, it takes immense vulnerability, 00:29:15.339 --> 00:29:17.660 doesn't it? A willingness to be completely open 00:29:17.660 --> 00:29:19.859 with your audience. Absolutely. It really shows 00:29:19.859 --> 00:29:22.500 her commitment to connecting with fans on a more 00:29:22.500 --> 00:29:25.420 intimate level. Talking about body image, friendship, 00:29:25.859 --> 00:29:28.339 the real side of Hollywood, not just the facade. 00:29:28.880 --> 00:29:31.500 It feels like a powerful extension of that authentic 00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:33.980 storytelling from her stand -up days, but maybe 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:37.039 with a deeper, more reflective, sometimes poignant 00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:38.819 tone. Yeah, I think that's a great way to put 00:29:38.819 --> 00:29:42.079 it. It further solidifies her as this voice beyond 00:29:42.079 --> 00:29:45.240 her characters, a person with wisdom, with experiences 00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:48.019 to share. And the industry itself has obviously 00:29:48.019 --> 00:29:50.980 recognized her value beyond just specific roles. 00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:54.579 Oh, absolutely. In 2022, Retta signed a talent 00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:57.319 holding deal. with NBCUniversal. Okay, what does 00:29:57.319 --> 00:29:59.440 that mean exactly? A talent -holding deal. It's 00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:02.119 a significant commitment, a major vote of confidence 00:30:02.119 --> 00:30:04.880 from the network. It basically indicates their 00:30:04.880 --> 00:30:07.900 long -term investment in her talent, her potential 00:30:07.900 --> 00:30:10.660 across various projects within their whole ecosystem. 00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:13.480 So not just for one specific show. Right. It 00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:15.500 signifies her value not just for roles they might 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:18.960 have in mind, but as a broader brand, a versatile 00:30:18.960 --> 00:30:21.819 talent within the entire NBC Universal family. 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:25.099 Shows her commercial appeal, her perceived longevity. 00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:27.779 It's a clear statement. She is a sought after 00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:30.740 valuable asset. Wow. Her career really is this 00:30:30.740 --> 00:30:33.220 vibrant, intricate tapestry, isn't it? Woven 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:35.319 with threads of academic rigor, that powerful 00:30:35.319 --> 00:30:37.799 community support, incredible personal resilience, 00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:40.599 and just this unwavering, infectious commitment 00:30:40.599 --> 00:30:43.779 to her craft, always infused with that unmistakable, 00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:46.400 larger -than -life personality. But as we know, 00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:49.000 right, it's often the personal insights, the 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:51.500 surprising connections, that truly makes someone's 00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:54.450 story unforgettable. Add those final, compelling 00:30:54.450 --> 00:30:56.349 breast strokes to the portrait. Totally agree. 00:30:56.490 --> 00:30:59.230 Okay, let's get into those. Alright, for our 00:30:59.230 --> 00:31:01.730 final section, we're venturing beyond the bright 00:31:01.730 --> 00:31:04.009 lights of Hollywood, exploring some personal 00:31:04.009 --> 00:31:05.849 connections, some surprising facts that just 00:31:05.849 --> 00:31:08.549 add even more richness, more depth, maybe some 00:31:08.549 --> 00:31:11.069 delightful quirkiness to Retta's incredible story. 00:31:11.329 --> 00:31:14.640 Okay, I'm ready for the quirky. Well, as we touched 00:31:14.640 --> 00:31:16.859 on earlier in our deep dive, one of the most 00:31:16.859 --> 00:31:19.680 unexpected, most compelling facts about Reda's 00:31:19.680 --> 00:31:22.759 family background. The Liberian connection. Exactly. 00:31:22.960 --> 00:31:25.440 Her connection to former Liberian president Ellen 00:31:25.440 --> 00:31:27.819 Johnson Sirleaf. She's her niece by marriage. 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:30.519 And just to reiterate, this isn't just like a 00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:33.279 distant relative. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is a 00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:36.019 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the first elected 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:39.460 female head of state in Africa. It's huge. It 00:31:39.460 --> 00:31:43.059 adds this unexpected layer of gravitas. of historical 00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:46.279 significance to Reda's heritage links her not 00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:49.859 just to entertainment, but to major global political 00:31:49.859 --> 00:31:52.359 humanitarian achievements. It's a remarkable 00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:54.700 detail. It really showcases a different, maybe 00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:58.640 more serious facet of her ancestry, gives this 00:31:58.640 --> 00:32:01.599 rich layered context to who she is. It really 00:32:01.599 --> 00:32:03.059 does. It's certainly not what you'd typically 00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:04.859 expect from the hilarious woman who gave us Donna 00:32:04.859 --> 00:32:07.720 Meadle. Right. And speaking of family, or maybe 00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:11.190 perceived family, There's that common misconception 00:32:11.190 --> 00:32:15.009 she's had to, like, humorously but firmly clear 00:32:15.009 --> 00:32:18.549 up. Ah, the Ginuwine thing. Yes. Despite persistent 00:32:18.549 --> 00:32:21.069 public confusion, Retta is not the cousin of 00:32:21.069 --> 00:32:23.569 the R &B singer Ginuwine. Right. And she actually 00:32:23.569 --> 00:32:25.410 felt the need to clarify it, even mentioned it 00:32:25.410 --> 00:32:28.089 in her book, noting it was literally a plot point 00:32:28.089 --> 00:32:30.529 in a TV show that led to this whole mix -up. 00:32:30.619 --> 00:32:33.240 That's wild. Fascinating how easily fictional 00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:35.940 narratives can just blur into perceived reality, 00:32:36.099 --> 00:32:38.680 right? Especially now with viral info online 00:32:38.680 --> 00:32:41.460 chatter. Totally. This genuine confusion, it 00:32:41.460 --> 00:32:44.099 kind of highlights, in a funny way, how easily 00:32:44.099 --> 00:32:46.680 stories get distorted, how fictional plot points 00:32:46.680 --> 00:32:48.740 can somehow become facts in the public mind. 00:32:49.019 --> 00:32:51.299 It underscores why public figures sometimes need 00:32:51.299 --> 00:32:54.400 to step in and clarify details of their personal 00:32:54.400 --> 00:32:58.019 lives, set the record straight, even on seemingly 00:32:58.019 --> 00:33:00.759 trivial stuff just to maintain their own authentic 00:33:00.759 --> 00:33:03.509 story. It's a very human moment in a very public 00:33:03.509 --> 00:33:06.029 career, isn't it? Reminds us that even celebrities 00:33:06.029 --> 00:33:08.390 deal with weird internet rumors, have to correct 00:33:08.390 --> 00:33:11.529 the family tree sometimes. Exactly. OK, so moving 00:33:11.529 --> 00:33:14.470 from intriguing family ties and public misconceptions 00:33:14.470 --> 00:33:19.470 to deeply personal passions. Retta has this really 00:33:19.470 --> 00:33:23.289 enthusiastic, almost obsessive love for a particular 00:33:23.289 --> 00:33:25.490 sport that might surprise some people. Oh, I 00:33:25.490 --> 00:33:28.049 think I know this one. Hockey. Yes. She is a 00:33:28.049 --> 00:33:30.589 passionate, fervent fan of the Los Angeles Kings. 00:33:30.640 --> 00:33:34.000 Go, Kings, go! Exactly. Her dedication is more 00:33:34.000 --> 00:33:36.680 than just casual fandom. It's this intense, loyal 00:33:36.680 --> 00:33:39.460 commitment. It actually led her to present awards 00:33:39.460 --> 00:33:41.900 at the NHL Awards Ceremonies in Vegas, both in 00:33:41.900 --> 00:33:44.920 2014 and 2015. Wow, that's serious fandom. Right. 00:33:44.980 --> 00:33:47.519 And this kind of deep personal interest, totally 00:33:47.519 --> 00:33:50.279 outside her acting work, it just makes her incredibly 00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:53.400 relatable, I think. Endearing. Totally. It shows 00:33:53.400 --> 00:33:56.640 this genuine, unmanufactured part of her personality. 00:33:57.319 --> 00:34:00.119 Proves that even with all the fame, she's still... 00:33:59.849 --> 00:34:02.609 a real person with real passions, just like us, 00:34:03.230 --> 00:34:05.730 gets intensely invested in her favorite team. 00:34:05.890 --> 00:34:08.670 Yeah. And finally, let's circle back to her professional 00:34:08.670 --> 00:34:11.030 name, Retta. OK. We talked about how she adopted 00:34:11.030 --> 00:34:13.710 it professionally. Simplify things. Avoid explaining 00:34:13.710 --> 00:34:16.610 Marietta Sangai's sur -relief all the time. Smart 00:34:16.610 --> 00:34:19.949 branding move. But there's this charming alternative, 00:34:20.469 --> 00:34:22.889 completely serendipitous origin story she shared 00:34:22.889 --> 00:34:24.849 on NPR's Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. Oh, yeah. 00:34:25.230 --> 00:34:27.840 What is it? She revealed that a man she dated, 00:34:28.039 --> 00:34:31.219 who was from Georgia, Nate named her Reda, simply 00:34:31.219 --> 00:34:33.820 because her given name Marietta sounded like 00:34:33.820 --> 00:34:36.360 where he came from. Marietta, Georgia. Oh wait, 00:34:36.420 --> 00:34:38.920 that's it. That's the story she told. It's such 00:34:38.920 --> 00:34:41.960 a casual, sweet, kind of random way for such 00:34:41.960 --> 00:34:44.539 a significant part of her public identity to 00:34:44.539 --> 00:34:47.079 have emerged. That is such a fun, quirky detail. 00:34:47.280 --> 00:34:50.400 I love it. It gives this lovely personal anecdote 00:34:50.400 --> 00:34:53.900 behind the professional name. Reveals this serendipitous, 00:34:54.119 --> 00:34:57.280 almost accidental origin that came even before 00:34:57.280 --> 00:35:00.139 her intentional career branding. And these kinds 00:35:00.139 --> 00:35:03.440 of personal touches. Her love of hockey. the 00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:05.360 charming story behind the nickname that would 00:35:05.360 --> 00:35:08.519 make her so relatable. They offer these genuine 00:35:08.519 --> 00:35:11.059 unfiltered glimpses into her life outside the 00:35:11.059 --> 00:35:14.280 roles, reinforce that authentic larger than life 00:35:14.280 --> 00:35:17.099 personality we adore. How do these seemingly 00:35:17.099 --> 00:35:20.599 small personal touches contribute to a celebrity's 00:35:20.599 --> 00:35:22.900 enduring appeal, their connection with the audience? 00:35:23.400 --> 00:35:26.139 I think they build a more complete three -dimensional 00:35:26.139 --> 00:35:29.780 picture of the person behind the persona, make 00:35:29.780 --> 00:35:32.579 her feel even more real, more accessible, and 00:35:32.800 --> 00:35:36.519 ultimately more cherished by us. It's that authenticity, 00:35:36.579 --> 00:35:38.340 I think, that really cements her place in our 00:35:38.340 --> 00:35:40.380 hearts. I totally agree. That realness, that 00:35:40.380 --> 00:35:42.940 authenticity, it's truly so much of her enduring 00:35:42.940 --> 00:35:46.369 charm and appeal. Absolutely. Wow. Okay. We have 00:35:46.369 --> 00:35:48.949 truly taken a comprehensive deep dive into Reda's 00:35:48.949 --> 00:35:51.090 incredible journey today. We really covered a 00:35:51.090 --> 00:35:53.349 lot of ground. Tracing her path all the way from 00:35:53.349 --> 00:35:55.550 pre -med student and chemist. Still amazing. 00:35:56.070 --> 00:35:59.030 Celebrated stand -up comic, iconic TV actress, 00:35:59.570 --> 00:36:03.429 popular HGTV host, and wonderfully candid published 00:36:03.429 --> 00:36:07.150 author. Her story is just this vibrant, intricate 00:36:07.150 --> 00:36:11.030 tapestry, right? Woven with academic rigor, community 00:36:11.030 --> 00:36:15.230 support, incredible resilience. And that unwavering 00:36:15.179 --> 00:36:18.059 infectious commitment to her craft, always infused 00:36:18.059 --> 00:36:20.539 with that undistakeable, red -up personality. 00:36:20.679 --> 00:36:22.920 Totally. And her career, it's such a powerful 00:36:22.920 --> 00:36:25.139 reminder, isn't it, that our initial plans, they're 00:36:25.139 --> 00:36:27.480 often just starting points. Springboards, maybe, 00:36:27.679 --> 00:36:30.320 not rigid destinations. That's so true. It's 00:36:30.320 --> 00:36:33.019 in the courage to pivot, to embrace uncertainty, 00:36:33.400 --> 00:36:35.980 to push through those moments of, well, physical 00:36:35.980 --> 00:36:38.599 nausea and self -doubt. Yeah. And to infuse our 00:36:38.599 --> 00:36:40.760 unique personality, our authentic voice, into 00:36:40.760 --> 00:36:43.159 everything we do, that true and lasting success 00:36:43.159 --> 00:36:45.780 is often found. shows us that even when you're 00:36:45.780 --> 00:36:47.659 feeling physically nauseated by the challenge 00:36:47.659 --> 00:36:50.579 like she was in her early stand -up days, experience, 00:36:50.900 --> 00:36:53.739 authenticity, and maybe a healthy dose of that 00:36:53.739 --> 00:36:56.440 New Jersey ballsiness can absolutely lead to 00:36:56.440 --> 00:36:58.099 extraordinary achievements in a career that's 00:36:58.099 --> 00:37:00.340 both impactful and deftly fulfilling. Well said. 00:37:00.699 --> 00:37:03.780 So we've seen how Reda turned her distinct voice, 00:37:03.840 --> 00:37:06.679 her everyday observations, sometimes slightly 00:37:06.679 --> 00:37:09.179 embellished, right? Right. And her sheer force 00:37:09.179 --> 00:37:13.199 of personality into this celebrated multi -hyphenate 00:37:13.199 --> 00:37:15.789 career That makes you wonder, doesn't it? What's 00:37:15.789 --> 00:37:17.449 that? Well, it's one aspect of your own life, 00:37:17.590 --> 00:37:20.250 your own personality that maybe you're underestimating. 00:37:20.730 --> 00:37:22.909 That could be the secret ingredient to your next 00:37:22.909 --> 00:37:25.510 big adventure, your next deep dive into a new 00:37:25.510 --> 00:37:29.329 passion. Just waiting to be explored. Ooh, that's 00:37:29.329 --> 00:37:31.170 a great thought to end on. Something for all 00:37:31.170 --> 00:37:32.690 of us to think about. Until next time.