As Hannah Berner prepares to grace the stage to receive the Rising Comedy Star Trophy at the Just For Laughs Festival on Friday, the former TikTok sensation-turned-podcaster and stand-up comedian, who once starred in reality TV, unveils an unconventional journey to the pinnacle of comedy, rooted in an unexpected beginning. "My aspiration was never to become a stand-up comedian; it was to triumph at Wimbledon," Berner confides to The Hollywood Reporter, amidst the hustle and bustle of Montreal's prestigious comedy festival. This unorthodox trajectory to Hollywood fame stands out, as traditionally, stars of TV sitcoms and feature comedies hone their craft in comedy clubs before making the leap to screens big and small.
Berner emphasizes that her college years and professional tennis career, which culminated in her retirement at 22, served as a solid foundation for her subsequent forays into TikTok, reality TV, podcasting, and ultimately, stand-up comedy. With her tennis racket aside and few clear prospects ahead, she didn't know her career path but possessed a playful, mischievous side that often landed her in trouble. "My coaches always chided me for being too silly," Berner adds. "Little did I realize I could turn that into a career."
The ex-tennis player also brought a competitive spirit and relentless pursuit of perfection from the court to the comedy stage. "I'mobsessed with practice, technique, and the relentless pursuit of goals," Berner declares. "Getting better is what I always did as a tennis player. When stand-up comedy captivated me, it was a game-changer."
Moreover, Berner's early experiences of playing against male opponents on tennis courts prepared her for navigating the male-dominated environment of New York City's cramped comedy clubs where she first performed. Tennis taught her how to captivate an audience in the moment, rather than merely facing an opponent across the net. "There are so many parallels," Berner reflects. "While I didn't always relish beating someone in tennis, stand-up comedy feels less pressurizing. I'm simply performing; I don't leave the stage feeling like a loser." The solitary performer's spotlight on a tennis court, akin to a comedy stage, also equipped the 33-year-old comedian to manage audiences, quell nerves, and deliver her best in comedy specials spanning five minutes or longer.
Perhaps most surprisingly, Berner admits she never had a concrete plan to succeed in comedy, a lack of premeditation that may have actually cleared her path. "I was merely seeking ways to pursue what I loved," she shares. "I didn't foresee falling in love with stand-up, but it turned out to be the activity that brought me the most joy."
Embarking on this lesser-trodden path in comedy shielded Berner from typical industry pitfalls, as she transitioned from Bravo's reality series Summer House to amassing a colossal following on TikTok, co-hosting the Giggly Squad podcast with friend and former Summer House castmate Paige DeSorbo, and ultimately, performing in comedy clubs before debuting her first Netflix special, We Ride at Dawn.
"Stand-up comedy ended up being the medium where I didn't need to be selected or wait for someone to choose me," Berner reveals. "I could be an entrepreneur and earn my own money doing it. So, I've been hustling tirelessly, touring for years now." The Just For Laughs comedy festival continues until Sunday, celebrating Berner's unique journey to comedic greatness.
