Christian Comedian Says God Used ‘My Brokenness for Good’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Christian comedian Kerri Pomarolli says her faith in God has led her through the ups and downs of her career and personal life.
In an essay for Guideposts, Pomarolli shared her story, from aspirations of being a Broadway dancer to appearing in soap operas after a cross-country move to LA.
“The more my childhood faith deepened, the bigger the gulf seemed to grow between the roles my agent wanted me to audition for and the person God wanted me to be,” she wrote. “I said no to so many opportunities. I would imagine my parents sitting in a theater watching me onscreen. If they got up and ran out, the part wasn’t for me.”
The final straw came when her agent encouraged her to reconsider doing a topless scene in a movie. Pomarolli pulled her Bible out and prayed, and “the words ‘stand-up comedy’ popped into my head. An idea that had to have come from God.”
Pomarolli started doing clean stand-up comedy, and her career soon took off.
“Within a year of my first gig, I was making a living as a stand-up comedian,” she wrote. “Being as authentic onstage as I was offstage gave me opportunities to pray with and for other comics and for people I met at my shows. People who might never set foot in a church. The more I said yes to God, the more doors opened.”
In addition to her work as a stand-up comedian, Pomarolli also wrote several books, including “Confessions of a Proverbs 32 Woman.”
“I think it’s for all the women out there that read Christian books about farm-to-table, Pinterest women with matching Tupperware and perfect hair, and those who feel unworthy to be valued in today’s society,” she told CBN. “Basically I have tagged myself #HotMessForJesus because I really relate more with those types of women, and I didn’t see a lot of books out there. I’m a single mom and I really feel like there needed to be a book that no matter what life stage you’re in, you can really laugh your head off and feel God’s grace and that God loves you in the middle of your hot mess.”
Pomarolli also got married to a fellow Christian comedian, and the couple share two daughters.
“But things hadn’t worked out as we planned,” Pomarolli wrote. “Life threw some curveballs. Hiding under my covers, I was divorced and alone, feeling lost and broken. Hadn’t I said yes to the plans God had for me? After 10 successful years as a stand-up, why was he disqualifying me? Was I no longer worthy of serving him?”
It was then that Pomarolli said she heard God’s voice — “Get back to work, Kerri. You think I can’t give you a career at 40? You have a whole new group of people you can reach now. Buckle up, buttercup!”
The comedian started working through her emotions with her stand-up material, impacting others who related to her struggles.
“I should’ve known God would use my brokenness for good,” she said.
Pomarolli continued, “It’s been a decade since I became a single mom. I was afraid the life I loved was over, but actually, it’s just different — and better — than I could’ve dreamed…My life and heart are full.”
“I just celebrated 20 years as a stand-up comedian and another birthday with a zero after it. I’ve appeared on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hollywood red carpets, and I have a new Dry Bar Comedy Special. I’ve written film scripts for the Hallmark Channel and authored five more books,” she concluded. “God is still opening doors that blow my mind. He is my agent. When he says go, I just pack a bag and say yes. I’m sure he’s having a good laugh about that.”
Pomarolli often speaks about her faith, calling it “a big part of my life,” in an interview with Her Magazine.
“I just happen to be a person of faith who is a comedian,” she continued. “I see comedy as empowerment. As a young woman especially, I found it as a way to take control of my career and my destiny. I could make my own road with it, rather than having to take my top off in Hollywood. Laughter is contagious, whether you’re 22 or 82. No topic is off-limits, as long as it’s funny. But I always say, I could take my mother to all my shows. My comedy is for everyone.”
