NBC Names Winner of StandUp NBC, Search for Diverse Comedians

NBC has named comedian Kiry Shabazz the winner of its 14th Annual StandUp NBC competition, a nationwide search for comedians of diverse backgrounds. Shabazz has been awarded a talent holding deal with NBCUniversal and a headlining spot at the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) annual convention where he will perform before talent bookers from across the country. He will also headline the regional semi-finalist showcases for next year's StandUp NBC.

Shabazz was chosen from among eight other finalists including Jourdain Fisher, T. Murph, Dewayne Perkins, Abby Rosenquist, Jess Salomon, Kabir "Kabeezy" Singh, Tom Thakkar and TuRae. They join Lil Rel Howery (Get Out), Deon Cole ("Black-ish,"), Dulcé Sloan ( "The Daily Show"), Tone Bell ("Disjointed"), W. Kamau Bell (CNN's "United Shades of America") and Hasan Minhaj ("The Daily Show") as alumni of StandUp NBC, one of the network's tentpole talent infusion programs (NBC TIPS).

"StandUp NBC has been a remarkably effective platform to help discover the next generation of great comedic talent," said Karen Horne, SVP, Programming Talent Development & Inclusion, NBC Entertainment and Universal Television Studios. "As with all of our other talent pipeline programs, StandUp NBC was created with the goal of increasing representation of diverse talent in front of and behind the camera, and I could not be prouder that through programs like these we continue to bring new voices to the industry."

Shabazz was chosen from 1,250 stand-up comedians who auditioned at open calls earlier this year in Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Atlanta, or submitted their auditions online - a first for the annual competition. Shabazz along with the eight other finalists performed last month a finale showcase hosted by comedian and StandUp NBC alumnus Vladimir Caamaño at The Improv in Hollywood. They performed their sets in front of an audience of television executives, casting directors, agents, managers and industry tastemakers.

"Kiry's warmth and relatable humor helped him stand out from an exceptional group of talented comedians," said Grace Wu, Executive Vice President of Casting, NBC Entertainment. "We are fortunate to have pipeline programs like StandUp NBC that continue to introduce us to fresh, new voices like Kiry's."

Originally from Cleveland, Shabazz started his comedy career in Northern California, where he quickly became a regular at The Punchline, Rooster T Feathers, and Cobb's. He won the Rooster T Feathers Comedy Competition, the WORLD SERIES of Comedy Satellite Competition, and was selected for the Laughing Skull Festival. When Kiry is not performing at clubs and colleges across the country, he can be seen performing all over Los Angeles. Shabazz is represented by Olivia Doud at Mosaic.

About StandUp NBC (NBC Talent Infusion Programs)

Now in its 14thyear, StandUp NBC is the annual nationwide search for stand-up comedians of diverse backgrounds. Every year, StandUp NBC holds open casting calls in four cities across the country. Finalists are chosen from the casting calls to perform at the finale showcase in front of an audience of television executives, casting directors, agents, managers and industry tastemakers at a Los Angeles comedy club. THE WINNER IS given a talent holding deal with NBCUniversal and offered a spot on the nationwide tour with the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA). Previous StandUp NBC winners and alumni include Lil Rel Howery (Get Out), Deon Cole ("Black-ish"), Dulcé Sloan ("The Daily Show"), Tone Bell ("Disjointed"), W. Kamau Bell (CNN's "United Shades of America") and Hasan Minhaj ("The Daily Show"). StandUp NBC is part of the NBC Talent Infusion Programs (NBC TIPS) that promote and encourage people of diverse backgrounds to become the next generation of storytellers. For more information, visit NBCUniTIPS.com.

About the NBC Talent Infusion Programs (NBC TIPS)

Since 2000, NBC has been dedicated to discovering and nurturing on screen and behind-the-camera talent of diverse and inclusive backgrounds through the NBC Talent Infusion Programs (NBC TIPS). NBC TIPS are amongst the most extensive and robust diversity and inclusion programs in the television industry. They feature more than 20 programs including Writers on the Verge, the Diverse Staff Writer Initiative, Female Forward, Emerging Director Program, StandUp NBC nationwide search for stand-up comedians and the NBCUniversal SHORT FILM FESTIVAL that celebrates diverse stories and the filmmakers who create them. Program alumni are celebrated producers, writers, directors and actors in the entertainment industry who have gone on to win Emmys, Golden Globes and SAG Awards and include Alan Yang, Mindy Kaling, Deon Cole, Lil Rel Howery, Keto Shimizu, Natasha Rothwell, Danny Pudi and Danielle Sanchez-Witzel. For more information, visit NBCUniTIPS.com.

Image courtesy of NBC

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