Ariel Lavi hosts the stand-up comedian, content creator, and actress Mor Chen for an interview about the career and goals.
Hello Mor! How are you?
I’m good, Thanks! I mean, I’m in L.A, what can go wrong?.
How did you get to LA?
I came here by mistake. I got stuck in Mexico because of the war and my cousin who lives in LA invited me to come here and I fell in love with the place.
Why did you come to LA?
Besides of my cousin, an advocacy Israeli organization suggested me to come to LA in order to help by making pro Israeli videos .
What is your plan now in LA?
I want to do as much as possible: go to as many open mics as I can to do stand up in English, create content, go to auditions, create a network, and continue to contribute as much as I can to Israel from here. Tomorrow (purim) I am hosting an event for fundraising to the Nova survivors, voluntarily off course.
What is your greatest success so far?
For me, doing stand-up in LA is a big thing in itself. I was very afraid of it and now I feel at ease. But Everything I have done in the past, from television to my digital assets, and when people come up to me on the street complimenting me on the videos I did, telling me they appreciate my work, that I make them happy, that give me motivation to continue and create. Today, I was approached by an Israeli who complimented me on a stand up video I made about Israeli mums at the supermarket. He burst out laughing, trying to explain the punch of the video to his American friend. It was a very funny situation.
What do you want your audience to know ?
First of all, this year made me feel that everything can be achieved. You must believe in that and be all-in even if it is scars the shit out of you.
Where did you grow up?
Until the age of 4, I grew up in Bat Yam. Afterwards, I lived in Moshav Kfar Rut and now in Bat Yam again.
Where are you from?
Israel.
What are some of the challenges you faced along the way?
I think a lot about relations and I long for a stable relationship for myself. During the years I had experienced some unstable relationships that were an obstacle to my career, because for me it’s very difficult to stay concentrated in my work when i have unhealthy relationships that gives me anxiety instead of giving me a safe supportive place.
What does it take to be a successful stand-up comedian ,content creator and an actress?
The most important thing to succeed as a comedian is to be resistant to obstacles such as bad performances, the fact that you work for free at the beginning sometimes for years, and go to open mics at 12 am for free just to check new materials. As a content creator, I must be constantly creative and persistent all the time, uploading content in all the different medias in a very consistent way. And sometimes it’s very challenging. For example, When I have anxiety, I won’t upload a story and pretend to be happy. I love to be authentic. I won’t fake it. Only when I am really happy and really enjoying I will upload a story to share it with people. I also don’t like to create content when I am not at my best because I fell the anergy is passing to people through the videos (unless my sadness serves the purpose of the video).
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
Married With a family, a home and a successful career both in Israel and abroad.
What advice would you give to a young stand-up comedian, content creator and actress?
Don’t do it! run away (laughing). I’m kidding, stay strong no matter what happens along the way and believe in yourself no matter what you will hear. Also, it’s easier to do it if you are in a stable healthy relationship.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
Jennifer Lopez. She had a lot of difficulties, and nobody believed in her. She came to LA from a very poor place and became a big star. They told her when she was a child that she has no talent, and when she started to be successful she had to deal with a lot of bad comments, talk shows that made fun of her and hate. They also told her she can be only one thing: only a dancer, or only an actress, but she proved them wrong and she is a living proof you can do it all: sing, dance, act, be a business woman, why not?.
Do you think comedy damages your chances to find a relationship?
I think the opposite, comedy has taught me how to deal with rejection and to be stronger and less dramatic, and somehow I managed to meet men with a very strong sense of humour as well.
Pictures Credit: Regev Zarka