{"id":2428606,"date":"2026-05-22T20:49:42","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T20:49:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2428606"},"modified":"2026-05-22T20:49:42","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T20:49:42","slug":"stand-up-comedian-chanel-omari-on-her-1st-live-special","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/stand-up-comedian-chanel-omari-on-her-1st-live-special\/","title":{"rendered":"Stand-Up Comedian Chanel Omari on Her 1st Live Special"},"content":{"rendered":"

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For Chanel Omari<\/strong>, turning 40 isn\u2019t a midlife crisis, it\u2019s a punchline.<\/p>\n

The stand-up comedian<\/a> is ready to take center stage for her first-ever live comedy special \u2013 and she\u2019s got a lot to say about getting older (while still feeling 20), surviving modern dating and trying to figure it all out in a new decade.<\/p>\n

The one-hour event, aptly titled \u201c40 Is the New 20\u201d, will be recorded live on Saturday, May 23, at NYC hotspot The Cutting Room (and is expected to air on Amazon Prime in November).<\/p>\n

With hush-hush celebrity guests scheduled to appear during the taping, the actress and popular podcast host is flipping the script with her fearless humor, relatable storytelling and unapologetic take on what it really means to turn 40 in today\u2019s youth-obsessed culture.<\/p>\n

Now, Chanel is sitting down with Us Weekly<\/em> to talk about coming full circle \u2013 from her reality star days to opening for Jerry Seinfeld \u2013 and what she\u2019s learned about reinvention, confidence and getting better with age.<\/p>\n

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\n Chanel Omari<\/span> Michael Gebhardt<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Us Weekly<\/em>: Tell Us all about the new live comedy show? How exciting!<\/strong>
Chanel Omari<\/strong>: I\u2019m so excited about this show because it honestly feels like the most authentic version of me on stage yet. The special is called \u201c40 Is the New 20,\u201d and it\u2019s all about navigating life as a woman who\u2019s technically \u201cgrown up\u201d but still figuring things out half the time. I talk about dating disasters, friendships, therapy, social media, New York life, getting older in an industry obsessed with youth, and just trying to survive adulthood with humor intact.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s very personal, very raw, but also ridiculously funny and relatable. I think people are craving comedy that not only makes them laugh, but also makes them feel seen. As women get older, society can sometimes make us feel invisible \u2013 and I really wanted this show to remind women that we\u2019re still evolving, thriving, hilarious, and absolutely worthy of being seen.<\/p>\n

The show is called \u201c40 Is the New 20.\u201d You\u2019re speaking to my era and speaking my language. What does that era mean to you? Is it an era of your second 20s? The era of living your best life? The era of change and transition?<\/strong>
All of the above. Your 20s are chaotic \u2013 you\u2019re insecure, broke, trying to impress everyone, dating the wrong people, and pretending you know who you are. Your 40s are like, \u201cWait\u2026 I survived all that?\u201d<\/p>\n

There\u2019s something incredibly empowering about getting older because you stop apologizing for yourself. I think 40 is the era where women really come into their power. You care less about perfection and more about peace. It\u2019s your second 20s \u2013 but with boundaries, better skincare, and hopefully a therapist.<\/p>\n

I find so much humor in getting older while still mentally feeling 20. You still want to dance all night, chase your dreams, and romanticize life\u2026 your knees just have different opinions now.<\/p>\n

How do you keep up with feeling 20 at 40? Lip filler, injectables, hours in the gym, or just don\u2019t care as much?<\/strong>
Honestly, it\u2019s probably a combination of delusion and good lighting. I\u2019m from New York \u2013 every woman here looks 27 until she casually tells you she has three kids in college.<\/p>\n

I joke a lot in the special about fillers and beauty culture because there\u2019s so much pressure on women to stay young forever. But the truth is, feeling young has more to do with your energy than your face. Staying curious, laughing, chasing your dreams, surrounding yourself with inspiring people \u2013 that keeps you young.<\/p>\n

Also\u2026 under-eye concealer helps tremendously.<\/p>\n

You talk about dating in your 40s in the comedy special \u2014 how does that compare to your 20s?<\/strong>
Dating in your 40s is wild because everybody comes with \u201cbonus content.\u201d In your 20s, you ask someone their favorite movie. In your 40s, you\u2019re asking about emotional availability, attachment styles, and whether they still share a Netflix password with their ex.<\/p>\n

You absolutely have to laugh about it because modern dating is basically a part-time job mixed with a psychological experiment. But I do think dating gets better when you know yourself more. You waste less time pretending and become much more honest about what you actually want.<\/p>\n

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\"Chanel<\/div>

\n Chanel Omari<\/span> Matt Zeno<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A major streaming studio will be airing your comedy special \u2014 wink, wink. How did it all happen?<\/strong>
It\u2019s honestly been years in the making. I\u2019ve been grinding in comedy clubs, producing content, hosting my podcast, building my audience independently, and staying consistent even when people told me to pivot or give up.<\/p>\n

I think this opportunity really came from staying authentic to my voice. There\u2019s this misconception that success happens overnight, but most people don\u2019t see the years of rejection, hustle, and uncertainty behind it. So to finally have a major platform interested feels surreal and incredibly validating.<\/p>\n

And what\u2019s exciting is that most people have never actually seen me perform 30 minutes to an hour live before. Recording my first comedy special at the iconic The Cutting Room feels like a huge full-circle moment for me.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve been doing stand-up for years. Do you still get nervous?<\/strong>
We\u2019re expecting a packed room, which is exciting and terrifying at the same time. And yes \u2013 I still get nervous every single time I go on stage. I actually think nerves are healthy because it means you care.<\/p>\n

The most nervous I\u2019ve ever been was probably opening for major comedians early in my career because I felt like I had to prove I belonged there. But honestly, I\u2019ve learned that the bigger the nerves, the bigger the breakthrough usually is afterward.<\/p>\n

We know you can\u2019t give away too many details, but can you give Us some hints about some famous faces who will be in the audience?<\/strong>
Let\u2019s just say there will definitely be some Bravo personalities, media people, comedians, and a few recognizable faces from the New York social scene popping in. My worlds have kind of collided over the years between comedy, podcasting, reality TV, and entertainment journalism, so the crowd is always a very fun mix of chaos and fabulousness.<\/p>\n

Is there one comedian who made you the most starstruck? Is there one who surprised you the most?<\/strong>
Definitely Jerry Seinfeld<\/strong>. I opened for him at Gotham Comedy Club and had a full internal panic attack trying to act normal around him. He\u2019s such a comedy legend, and his observational humor completely changed stand-up. That was definitely one of those \u201cHow is this my life right now?\u201d moments.<\/p>\n

As for surprises, some of the biggest comedians are actually the nicest behind the scenes. The people who are truly talented usually don\u2019t need to act like divas. Comedy humbles everybody eventually.<\/p>\n

You also host your popular podcast \u201cChanel in the City\u201d \u2013 how different is that from your standup life?<\/strong>
My iHeartRadio podcast \u201cChanel in the City<\/a>\u201d is incredibly meaningful to me because it allows me to connect with people in a much deeper way. Stand-up is fast-paced and punchline-driven, but podcasting gives me space to have vulnerable, authentic conversations.<\/p>\n

I get to interview actors, reality stars, comedians, entrepreneurs, and really talk about their journeys, failures, insecurities, and success stories. It\u2019s become this amazing space where people feel comfortable opening up and being themselves.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve interviewed a ton of Bravo stars and movie stars like David Arquette \u2014 it must be hard to choose, but who\u2019s been your favorite to open up with? Craziest experience? And who\u2019s the ultimate dream guest?<\/strong>
David Arquette was incredibly fun because he\u2019s so open, eccentric, and genuinely kind. I love guests who surprise people and turn out to be much more layered than their public persona. Some of my favorite interviews are actually the ones where people unexpectedly become emotional or vulnerable. Those are the moments listeners connect to most.<\/p>\n

Craziest experience? Honestly, there are too many to count in New York media life. I\u2019ve definitely had interviews go from red carpets to after-parties to existential therapy sessions very quickly.<\/p>\n

Dream guest? Probably Sarah Jessica Parker because she represents New York, female reinvention, fashion, and storytelling in such an iconic way. And, of course, Howard Stern because he completely revolutionized interviewing.<\/p>\n

You got your start as a reality star on the short-lived Bravo show Princesses: Long Island<\/em> in 2013 \u2013 do you think that could ever make a comeback today 13 years later?<\/strong>
Honestly, I think people would appreciate it even more now because audiences love nostalgia and authenticity. Back then, reality TV was a little more unfiltered and chaotic in the best way. Today, everyone is so curated online.<\/p>\n

I think viewers miss seeing real personalities, family dynamics, and imperfect moments. So who knows \u2014 maybe the princesses need a grown-up reboot.<\/p>\n

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\"Chanel<\/div>

\n Chanel Omari and Dorinda Medley<\/span> Photo Courtesy of Chanel in the City.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Do you miss reality TV?<\/strong>
Parts of it, yes. Reality TV gave me opportunities and visibility, and I\u2019m grateful for that chapter of my life. But it\u2019s also a very intense world because suddenly strangers think they know everything about you from edited clips.<\/p>\n

Comedy feels much more empowering because now I control my own narrative and can turn my real-life experiences into something funny, meaningful, and healing.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s next for you?<\/strong>
Right now my main focus is the comedy special, continuing to grow \u201cChanel in the City,\u201d touring more, and expanding into television and streaming projects. I really want to build a brand that blends comedy, pop culture, interviewing, and storytelling together.<\/p>\n

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