This week’s Comedian of the Week:
Ralph Porter
Absolutely incredible comedian.
Longtime opener for Robin Williams and Sinbad and was featured on Kevin Hart’s Hart of the City.
I opened for him back in 2019 on a show with three headliners.
I was only two years into comedy.
It was also the first set I ever talked about being trans on stage.
Ralph was originally supposed to close the show.
Afterward, he pulled me aside and told me after watching my set, he asked them to change the order so he followed me, because the other comics weren’t strong enough to.
He told me he loved how real I was.
He said he was so proud of me.
And then he said something I’ll never forget:
“Never lose that.”
“And never worry about being too funny or too strong.”
“Your time on stage is your time.”
He said Robin Williams told him that.
And honestly?
That changed my career.
Because when you’re newer, there’s always this voice in your head wondering:
Will this hit?
Am I too honest?
Is it relatable?
I only met Ralph once.
But I’ll remember that conversation forever.
If you ever get the chance to see Ralph Porter…
go.
Be real. Be you. That’s Enough.
