Ziwe Fumudoh has built her career in comedy and as an interview host who can handle any guest, from political figures to drag queens. The podcast star and creator screened two episodes from the upcoming season of her podcast “You’d Be an Iconic Guest” — one with comedian and actress Wanda Sykes and the other with with political commentator Hasan Piker — at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 10. Following the screening, Variety hosted a conversation in partnership with YouTube and Fumudoh, where she discussed her platform as a YouTube creator to shape discourse and direct her own content.
You create it, and then it’s online. That is the best experience as someone who is artistic, as someone who wants to create art. I do believe that digital creators are the new Hollywood.” Ziwe’s trademark interview style is both confrontational and comedic.
When asked how she balances that style, she said, “I’m a good active listener. I don’t feel the need to fill dead air, and so that is comedic because someone sitting in silence as you sort of ramble is inherently hilarious.” She also talked about the only interview that ever went south, with the guest ending the conversation after three questions. And so I go into it comedy-first.
Obviously, the questions and the journalism are part of the entree, but the amuse-bouche is that we are laughing and enjoying ourselves.” “Ziwe,” a variety show on Showtime, launched in May 2021. The show ran for two seasons and was canceled following a change in network leadership. She moved the show to YouTube in 2023.
When asked if she would return to traditional media, she said she appreciates the freedom to be independent. I go through the cycle of life in entertainment, however it may see fit. But the only thing that’s consistent is my YouTube channel.” And as for a late night slot of her own, she said, “I don’t know what the future holds.
I will be interviewing for the rest of my life. It’s my favorite thing to do. I love being messy.” In a recent episode with Law Roach, stylist to stars like Zendaya, the two shared a moment that has since gone viral where they touched each other’s hair.
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