Karmen Naidoo

"Karmen Naidoo is straight outta the Motherland, hailing from South Africa. She has continued to pursue her comedy career in New York City, the heart of Comedy, since 2016. Starred as the only female finalist on Comedy Central's Grab the Mic (2015), co-founder and Director of Indie Comedie, a comedy production company (former) which aimed to nurture young rising talent. She has featured in The Bantu Hour, a South African satirical sketch and variety comedy show hosted by the legendary comedian Kagiso Lediga and featuring the legendary musician Hugh Masekela. Now, Karmen is the co-founder of the US national showcase Gimme the Light Comedy to promote underrepresented talent. She is also currently working on her Pilot "Karmen to America," which details her experience of unexpectedly winning the green card and moving to NYC. Karmen's notable credits, including at the Desi Comedy Festival (2017), New York Comedy Festival 2017 "Comics you should know," SketchFest 2018 (San Francisco Comedy Festival) & New York Comedy Festival 2018, Gotham Storytelling Festival 2019, Comedy Central Africa, PBS, New York Comedy Festival 2021 and featured in the New York Times. Karmen's edgy yet whimsical anecdotal humor has set her apart from the others, with a quirky and progressive style resonating with the masses."