Milwaukee-born comedian Kelly Kellz is 'pumped' for her TV debut on HBO's 'All Def Comedy'

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Kelly Davis was the kid "who made everybody laugh in my life," and growing up in Milwaukee, she religiously tuned in to "Def Comedy Jam" on HBO for inspiration and laughs from "some of the funniest comedians ever in the world."

On Friday, Davis — now a New York-based comedian going by the stage name Kelly Kellz — will get to see herself on HBO, on "Jam" spin-off series "All Def Comedy."

The 33-year-old former Milwaukee Public Schools elementary teacher will be tuning in to her TV debut in her hometown at a public viewing party and comedy show.

"Pumped is an understatement," Kellz said. "This was an experience like no other."

Kelly Kellz, a comedian and Milwaukee native, will make her TV debut on HBO's "All Def Comedy" Dec. 22.

While Kellz, one of three children of a single mother, used comedy to "get away with a lot" growing up, she never considered it for a profession.

But in May 2009, Kellz's beautician invited her to do a five-minute set during a comedy open mic she hosted at Savoy's.

"I told my husband, and he told me, 'I dare you to do it.' I never back down from a dare," Kellz said. "When I stood up on stage for the first time, that feeling was amazing."

It so happens that a comedy promoter from Chicago was at the bar that night, who soon after, booked Kellz for her first paid gig. She continued building her profile with shows — including local opening gigs for Mike Epps and Patricia "Ms. Pat" Williams — before playing her first L.A. gig at the famed Comedy Store four years ago — where "Jam" co-creator Bob Sumner was in the audience.

"He came up to me and said, 'You're amazing,' and I freaked out," Kellz said. Then he offered some crucial advice: "Have you ever been to New York? You need to hit that market."

Two months later, Kellz played a series of Big Apple shows, coming back every two to three months until she moved to New York City in March 2016 and became a full-time comedian for the first time.

"It's been amazing ever since, opportunity after opportunity," Kellz said. "I'm almost in tears talking about this."

When her "All Def" taping happened this fall, "I was taking it all in," she said. "This was my life. This was what I worked so hard for. … As soon as I touched the stage I said, 'God, thank you,' and from there I enjoyed the moment."

Kellz's five-minute "All Def" set draws from her experiences as a proud plus-size woman and dealing with bad kids as a teacher.

"I am pretty much the average woman," Kellz said. "I want people to know that we're human and to embrace all the things people think are imperfections. If you're loud, be loud. If you're fluffy, be fluffy. Enjoy who you are."

The rise of self-described "average woman" Kellz is happening at an unprecedented time. The #MeToo movement has shed a light on gender disparity in the comedy world among several other industries, with A-lister Louis C.K.'s career plummeting after he admitted to sexual misconduct with five women reported by The New York Times last month.

"All Def" was affected, too. The show was greenlighted as part of HBO's deal with hip-hop mogul and "Jam" co-creator Russell Simmons, but the network severed ties with Simmons late last month and removed his name from the show, following two allegations of sexual assault. Simmons also stepped aside from his companies.

Last week, The New York Times and Los Angeles Times published stories featuring nine new accusers, including three women who said Simmons raped them. Since those reports, prominent fashion publicist Kelly Cutrone said that Simmons attempted to rape her in 1991, and the New York Police Department has opened an investigation. Simmons has denied the allegations.

Asked about the Simmons allegations, a publicist on the call with Kellz last month interjected, and Kellz declined to share her opinion.

She did have plenty to say, however, about the possible ramifications of #MeToo.

"Honestly, I think that women are looked upon as the weaker gender, so people tend to prey on that," Kellz said. "But women know that we are everything. We created this world, and men are just here. We know that and we own it, and women will go into whatever situation — space or career — fierce, knowing that they deserve to be there."

IF YOU GO

What: "All Def Comedy" Watch Party and Comedy Show
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: 3041 North, 3041 W. North Ave.
How much?: $30