We all know Vice President Kamala Harris has been busy this last month. But so has comedian Allison Reese, who has gone viral for her spot-on impression of the VP, her iconic laugh, and the phrase “n’kay.”
Reese trained in Chicago’s comedy scene for years, and it's where she first developed her Harris impression for a showcase.
Ahead of Harris’ big speech tonight, Hey Chicago caught up with Reese.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What’d you learn in Chicago that has been foundational in this moment as your Harris impression gets so much attention?
“I've always been enamored by political comedy. One of the reasons why I went to Chicago was because I wanted to take advantage of the scene that was ready to satirize.”
“When I was in Chicago, I did a lot of shows that were news based. I did a show called 'Whirled News Tonight' [at iO Chicago], where we would get headlines and do improv based off of the news that week that the audience had picked out. I've done sketch shows that were centered around news at the Revival [when it was] on the South Side.”
How do you decide what to parody?
“I saw that [Drew Barrymore] interview and it gave me a very specific point of view right away. I knew the thesis statement in my head is, ‘Well, girl, back up.’ That's kind of how I go through it of like, ‘Does this spark something in me immediately?’”
Comedian Allison Reese with a “Who is Kamala Harris?” book. (Courtesy of Allison Reese)
After studying Harris as closely as you have, why is she so memeable?
“I feel like it's just because she's being herself, especially in a world that really doesn't like that. The world of politics is so very regimented and you have to fit into these boxes. I think she's so memeable because she really puts her personality out there. And also, I think she’s just funny, and that’s a big part of it, too.”
Catch Reese at the “Lovett or Leave It” show Friday, on her N’Kay Show podcast, and social media.
