Donald Glover Says Chris Rock Convinced Him To Get Back To Stand-Up Comedy

Will we get another stand-up special? Thanks to Chris Rock, Glover may be returning to the stage.

BYErika Marie
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Collage Maker-04-Apr-2023-03-27-PM-3271

As a multihyphenate entertainer, Donald Glover's reach surpasses many of his peers. The rapper, singer, actor, and filmmaker has his hands in all facets of the industry. His work as Childish Gambino remains praiseworthy—and in the same breath, fans can enjoy his comedies, including Community, as well as his more controversial works, like Atlanta. Glover is known for his roles that highlight comedic value, and in a recent GQ feature, he revealed the advice he received from a standup legend.

“So I was with Chris Rock, and he was like, ‘People aren’t good [at stand-up] until they’re your age,'" Glover recalled. Rock apparently added, "'The only one who was better when he was younger was Eddie [Murphy]. Why aren’t you doing this sh*t?’" Stay tuned because Glover took the words to heart. He's begun writing jokes and is said to be giving it another go. What that looks like in the future is unclear, but seeing Glover return to the stand-up stage will be interesting.

Donald Glover Looks To Make Magic With Malia Obama

Additionally, Glover's Swarm has become the talk of pop culture. The Prime Video series stars Dominique Fishback as the lead character Dre, and singer Chlöe assists as her sister. One episode's co-writer is a familiar name: Malia Obama. The famous former First Daughter has lept into the entertainment industry, and Glover revealed to GQ their plans to work on another project. The short film is slated for release from Glover's Gilga production company. Obama is said to be creating the film under her mentor's guidance.

“The first thing we did was talk about the fact that she will only get to do this once. You’re Obama’s daughter," said Glover. "So, if you make a bad film, it will follow you around." Although the pressure seems astounding, the 24-year-old is ready for the challenge. Her work in Swarm's writing room has been applauded by her colleagues, and the opportunity to work with Hollywood's best is an accomplishment that her counterparts could only wish for. It's unclear what the young Obama's long-term goals are in the industry, but it's a far cry from the White House—well, not that far. Check out stills from Donald Glover's GQ feature above.

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About The Author
Erika Marie is a seasoned journalist, editor, and ghostwriter who works predominantly in the fields of music, spirituality, mental health advocacy, and social activism. The Los Angeles editor, storyteller, and activist has been involved in the behind-the-scenes workings of the entertainment industry for nearly two decades. E.M. attempts to write stories that are compelling while remaining informative and respectful. She's an advocate of lyrical witticism & the power of the pen. Favorites: Motown, New Jack Swing, '90s R&B, Hip Hop, Indie Rock, & Punk; Funk, Soul, Harlem Renaissance Jazz greats, and artists who innovate, not simply replicate.