Is laughter as beneficial as meditation?
We’d like to think so.
As dedicated as we are to the more grounding aspects of our health and wellness practices, sometimes it’s nice to just kick back with a comedy special and laugh until your abs are sore.
We’re all familiar with the immediate relief laughter can provide us, whether a loved one is sharing a joke or you’ve scrolled past a particularly funny meme on Instagram. But a lot of us don’t realize just how much comedic relief affects our overall well-being. Research has shown that laughter stimulates the release of endorphins – or happy hormones – in our brain, soothes mental and physical tension, creates a feeling of relaxation by activating and relieving stress responses, boosts the immune system, and even increases longevity.
So the next time you’re looking for a fun and easy way to engage in self-care, why not open up the comedy section of Netflix? Trust us when we say you’ll be doing yourself a favour.
Celebrating Women In Comedy
As healing as comedy is, the industry itself isn’t without its faults.
Historically, women haven’t had an easy time compared to their male counterparts. It’s what award-winning (and hilarious) shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Hacks are all about. We’ve all heard the misogynistic comments about women not being as funny as men, and seen a distinct lack of female representation in the industry. But that’s all changing with the new wave of brilliant female comedians, many of whom we’re featuring below.
So stock up on your favourite snacks and get yourself cozy – it’s time for a female-led laugh session.
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The Best Female Comedians Of 2024
Ali Wong
If you’re a fan of classic stand-up comedy, you won’t want to miss any of Ali Wong’s no-holds-barred specials. The comedian has also proved her talents on screen and behind the scenes working as a writer and actor on hit comedies like Always Be My Maybe and Fresh Off The Boat, but her talent truly shines when she’s on stage. Ali is known for her hilariously real takes on motherhood, relationships, and Asian-American identity, highlighting the not-so-pretty aspects and challenges of her real life. Her comedic style is bold, witty, and slightly raunchy – all while sharing empowering observations about the female experience.
Ilana Glazer
She won us over in Broad City, the irreverent yet heart-warming comedy series that brilliantly captured the 2010s millennial experience. Ilana is the hype girl BFF we all dream of – she’ll pump you up for any occasion, accompany you during the most mundane of errands and make them fun, and push you out of your comfort zone while making you laugh with her offbeat brand of humour. She’s also unapologetically outspoken and authentic, whether she’s speaking about female rights or admitting her gross celebrity crushes. Since her Broad City days, Ilana has starred in even more feel-good girl power flicks like Babes and Rough Night, and has released two stand-up comedy specials, offering you a multitude of ways to laugh with her.
Mindy Kaling
This Office alum does most of her work behind the scenes these days with her production company Kaling International, but her mark on the comedy world is still undeniable. Mindy Kaling rose to fame for her work as a writer and actor on the cult workplace comedy before creating and starring in contemporary rom-com The Mindy Project. She’s since gone on to produce some of the most popular female-led comedies of the 2020s, like the coming-of-age comedies Never Have I Ever and The Sex Lives of College Girls. Whether she’s on or off screen, Mindy’s comedy is a clever blend of wit, self-deprecation, and playfulness that always makes for a fun watching experience. She’s also one of the best champions for diversity and inclusion in the industry, paying homage to her Indian heritage and showcasing her experience as an immigrant through her work, making her brand of comedy especially relatable for fans with a similar background.
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Nikki Glaser
She’s a stand-up pro, podcaster, writer, and the unofficial queen of roasts, having annihilated pop culture icons like Tom Brady, Bruce Willis, Rob Lowe, and Alec Baldwin at their respective Comedy Central roasts. But when she’s not poking fun at the biggest names in the industry, she’s sharing her blunt and unapologetic take on dating, body image, and societal expectations during stand-up shows and in her podcast. Nikki isn’t afraid to tackle controversial and taboo topics, but she does so in an honest and vulnerable way that her audience can easily relate to.
Aubrey Plaza
If your favourite kind of humour is dark, dry, and sarcastic, you’re probably already a fan of Aubrey Plaza. The Parks & Rec alum has become Hollywood’s favorite deadpan comedian, gaining leading role after leading role in dark comedies like Ingrid Goes West, The Little Hours, and The White Lotus. And while she’s mastered her poker face, Aubrey Plaza has a way of subtly showing her more vulnerable side that makes her performances so charming and relatable.
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Michelle Buteau
We’re not the first and we won’t be the last people to say that Michelle Buteau has been killing it lately. The stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and podcast host has charmed audiences with her sharp, real, and confident form of humour. Michelle effortlessly tackles topics like motherhood, relationships, racism, body image, and identity whether playing a movie character or performing at a stand-up special. She’s cool, calm, and collected, like the friend you always want to turn to for a healthy (and oh-so funny) dose of realism.
Michaela Coel
This cinematic powerhouse has been breaking through other genres in the past few years, but we can’t forget her comedic roots in the hilarious absurdist series Chewing Gum. Michaela Coel can truly do it all, from creating bold, thought-provoking concepts to mastering physical comedy in scenes that cleverly exaggerate real-life situations. Her style is boundary-pushing, covering complex issues like religion, race, and sexuality with humor and creativity. We’re not sure what direction Michaela will go in next, but we know she’ll do it with her signature sense of wit and ingenuity.
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Celeste Barber
If you’re not following Celeste Barber on Instagram, you’re missing out. She’s a master of physical comedy, poking fun at influencer culture and hyper-sexualized content with her hilarious recreations of viral videos and celebrity photoshoots. But as amazing as her social media content is, Celeste has proven her comedy talent goes far beyond the ‘gram. She’s also got a way with words on stage and on screen. Australia’s new queen of comedy recently released her own Netflix stand-up special, and flaunted her acting skills as the lead in Wellmania, a playful response to toxic wellness culture. Her sense of humour is bold, eccentric, and delightfully real, whether she’s impersonating Kim K or sharing the realities of motherhood.
We hope this round-up has provided you with plenty of inspiration for your next comedy night! Receive even more fashion and lifestyle news by following us on Instagram @stylecartel and TikTok @stylecartelmedia. Sign up for our newsletter to get updates straight to your inbox!
Photo Credits: Red Carpet Fashion Awards