5 QUICK QUESTIONS – WITH AURIE STYLA
Aurie Styla is one of the busiest comedians working today. He has toured all over the world and we caught up with him just before he starts his Christmas Crack Up Tour at venues across the UK supported by a host of stars from the comedy circuit, many of whom are TV regulars. No two shows are the same so book tickets for them all!
He answered 5 Quick Questions for Zakaya Media:
Which is the best city you’ve ever performed in?
I’m bias, I’m always going to say London, because it’s home, and the energy is unmatched when you are on home soil. Outside of that, I would say it’s a close call between Toronto and Leeds. They are always game for a laugh, and always offer the right balance of people that love to laugh, and love to laugh at themselves.
What is the worst thing about being a stand up comedian?
You never really have full autonomy to stop working, even when you’re off stage. Stand Up comedy is a career, but being funny is a skill attached often attached to your personality… Unfortunately, many members of the public don’t seem able separate the two. If I’m being funny around my family, they treat me as the comedian, and not just a member of the family being funny. If another person is being funny around me, they often treat it as a competition of who can ‘out-funny’ the comedian. If I’m being serious about something, they’ll question if I’m being sincere or if it’s a part of my act. And there is often an expectation I’m going to use any conversations as material, and it doesn’t ever cross my mind. I don’t want to be treated as ’the comedian’ when I’m not performing. When people meet me in my down time, I can come across quite serious, which is the complete juxtaposition to my stage persona. This can lead people to assume I’m down or upset, when I am just off duty!
Pretty much every Black person has been mistaken for a Black person at one time or another. Who are yours? And please share which were the most flattering and the worst comparisons?
I often get mistaken by a lot of under 25 year olds for BBC 1 Xtra DJ, Kenny All star. I have also been told that I somewhat resemble Saucy Santana… No disrespect to them but these comparisons seem to be going downhill. When I was in my teens and early 20s with braids, I was told I looked like a young Marquis Houston or Lemar, the UK singer. Times have changed!
What do you eat on Christmas Day?
Last Christmas was a bowl of cereal, and meal prep I had frozen from a couple days before. I wasn’t well and didn’t want to disturb anyone celebrating with their families. But on a Christmas Day where I am well, then it’s a full British Caribbean plate; Turkey, Salmon, Rice & Peas, Mac N Cheese, Plantain, Steamed veg, the full works. The best part is it’s the same food, but the day two plate! Delicious!
What can people expect when they come to your Christmas show?
Lots of laughs from some of the UK’s funniest acts, loads of fun with the crowds with the games we have going on, and prizes to give away too. I don’t want to share too much and spoil any surprises, but the shows are gonna be a great way to end 2025 with a bang:-) Do not miss out!
Zakaya Media are excited to announce an exclusive giveaway to welcome valued subscribers! How would you like to attend the upcoming Christmas Crack Up Show on Sunday 21st December 2025, at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town? The show features support from crowd favourites Slim, Jeff Innocent and Kyrah Gray. To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets (worth £37.15 each) , all you must do is SUBSCRIBE to Zakaya Media at our introductory price of £2.99. See here for further details. We will pick a random name and announce it on here at the end of the week.