Show notes
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Tacarra Williams joins Club Shay Shay for a fearless and hilarious conversation about comedy, motherhood, growing up in the Bronx, family, relationships, social media, and finding her voice.
Tacarra weighs in on Rick Ross and his comments about women leaving their careers for wealthy men before diving into her own journey as a comedian. Tacarra explains how a bad breakup unexpectedly led her to stand-up comedy after an audition where she was told she should be performing comedy instead of acting.
Tacarra and Shannon Sharpe discuss her comedy about motherhood and raising Gen Z children, including the differences between parenting today and how they were raised. Tacarra opens up about being one of eight children, growing up in the South Bronx, and how her childhood experiences shaped her sense of humor. She explains how being poor, getting bullied, and growing up in a large family pushed her to become the class clown and use comedy as a way to survive.
She also shares stories about her father’s career as a blues musician with the Delta Blues Band, her mother being a singer, and why she once believed music would be her path before ultimately falling in love with stand-up comedy.
Tacarra gets candid about becoming a mother at 16, balancing pregnancy with high school, working, and raising her son while becoming independent at a young age. She recalls the impact of her grandparents, including the advice that pushed her not to “become a statistic” and inspired her determination to build a different life. She also discusses her son’s father being deported to Honduras and how that shaped her family.
The conversation then turns to parenting, teenage rebellion, prom culture, curfews, and the challenges of raising three children. Tacarra and Shannon Sharpe compare their childhood experiences with the realities facing parents today, including social media, rejection, discipline, independence, and the pressure to protect children from hardship.
Tacarra also opens up about social media, public criticism, body image, mental health, and why she refuses to stay silent when people attack her online. She discusses the pressure placed on public figures, the importance of liking yourself away from social media, and why people need to focus on their own lives instead of constantly judging celebrities and entertainers. She also reflects on Mo'Nique’s experience with weight loss and the complicated relationship between audiences and public figures.
They discuss the rise of Black women in comedy and how the industry has changed. Tacarra talks about seeing comedians such as Sheryl Underwood, Joan Rivers, and Wanda Sykes, the growing visibility of Black female comedians, and challenging the outdated idea that women cannot be both beautiful and funny. She also discusses working with Kevin Hart, including projects they have appeared in together.
Closing with Tacarra reflecting on her comedy career, the hardships that shaped her humor, her love of cooking and old-school R&B, and her current comedy tour. From the South Bronx to becoming a touring stand-up comedian, actress, host, writer, motivational speaker, and mother, Tacarra Williams shares the experiences, struggles, and humor that made her the unapologetic voice she is today.
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