For those who have seen Anna Akana’s acting work she will not need an introduction. She can be seen in Marvel's Ant-Man, Comedy Central's ‘Corporate’, Netflix's ‘Jupiter's Legacy’ and the Emmy-nominated YouTube ‘RED’ series that she executive produced and starred in, ‘Youth & Consequences’. Or you may be one of the 2.9 million subscribers to her YouTube Channel.
Now, Asian American Anna Akana comedian and actor makes her Edinburgh Fringe stand-up debut with her show ‘It Gets Darker’. After a stalking incident forced Anna into retirement, she's back onstage and armed with a restraining order and a plethora of new stories to tell.
Anna sadly lost her sister to suicide in 2007. Then in 2018 a stalker threatened that he was going to shoot her. She started having panic attacks on stage, ending shows early, and went onto antidepressants. She realised that the potential risks were not worth it and despite loving the stage, she valued the safety of herself and others more so she quit. Finally, after years of therapy, last summer she was healed enough to return to the stage and dissect the terrifying moments in her life...
The show also dissects her retired father's decision to volunteer for the Ukrainian war in 2022. She also deep dives into suicide. She also talks about the aftermath of suicide, which very commonly, includes an irrational fear that you're also destined to take your own life.
‘It Gets Darker’ is a show that talks frankly about topics that normally we keep to ourselves but also about resilience and finding light in the darkest moments of your life and transforming your pain into something that can serve you - or at the very least, earn you a few bucks.
Anna Akana’s ‘It Gets Darker’ is at the Pleasance Courtyard – Upstairs @ 5.30pm from August 1 - 24, for tickets go to www.edfringe.com
What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies and/or check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt and check for spinach between your teeth)
The last thing I do before I go on stage is say a mantra. Sometimes it's "fuck what they think, tell your story and have fun". Sometimes it's "just remember this one little rewrite to see if it works, that's your only goal tonight." Other times it's just a reminder that no matter what, I'll be fine. I think it's so easy as a comedian to fall into the pit of wanting external validation with the audience that sometimes we just forget to connect. So I always try to walk out with intention.
What irritates you?
What doesn't irritate me would be a much shorter list, but right now I think the sheer amount of hats that creatives are supposed to wear is really bothering me. Not only are we supposed to generate material and perform, but we're in charge of production of ancillary content, marketing materials, social media managers, the list goes on. Every social media platform feels like a full time job and yet they're all trying to be each other. It feels like it's not enough to have a singular profession anymore; you need to fulfill 17 other gigs in order to do the one thing you'd love to do.
What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
I bought a motorcycle in 2017 after a break up (my partner at the time said if I purchased one, he'd break up with me. So I figured why not.). I live in Los Angeles, so though lane-splitting is legal here (and necessary if you're on a bike to avoid traffic), but it's extremely dangerous since everyone texts-and-drives in the day, and drinks-and-drives at night. I was hit by a car frantically exiting a double-yellow carpool lane, then hit by another car when I was flying through the air. Needless to say, I sold the motorcycle after that accident.
What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
The stupidest thing I ever did was hit a bong and take a shot within 5 minutes, feel so embarrassed by how dizzy I had gotten, that I walked out of the house in order to pass out on the streets of Hollywood. Horrific decision to make in a sketchy part of town. I woke up maybe 10 minutes later, face-down on the ground, and thankfully stumbled back into the party.
What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
What's surprised me most is how many people have lost a loved one to suicide. I talk about my sister's suicide in my comedy, and the sheer number of people who have come up to me after shows and said they'd lost a family member or friend is staggering. I know the statistics of it all, I know how common it can truly be, but when you're faced with it on that personal level, it's so overwhelming.
interview continues here
