Daniel-Ryan Spaulding is a stand-up comedian known for his "bitchy," "sassy," and "very gay and very satirical" humor. He is also an activist who uses his platform to speak out against antisemitism and advocate for Israel. Spaulding's journey has been marked by personal transformation, including overcoming substance abuse, depression, and obesity.
From Canada to the World: The Making of a Comedian
Growing up in a working-class suburb of Vancouver, Canada, Spaulding always had an active and creative imagination. He excelled in academics and the arts, but felt like an outsider as "the gay kid & the fat kid." Despite this, he didn't let those labels define him.
Spaulding initially wanted to be an actor, but grew frustrated with the audition process. He turned to stand-up comedy as a way to be more proactive in his career, using his skills as both a writer and an actor.
Finding His Voice: Comedy and Identity
In the mid-2000s, the comedy scene was often a challenging environment for queer performers. Spaulding recalls feeling self-conscious about being openly gay and having to limit the amount of gay content in his sets to avoid being pigeonholed.
Despite these challenges, Spaulding persevered and honed his comedic skills. He spent years traveling the world, performing in comedy shows and developing his unique style. He relies on conversational instincts to build his repertoire of jokes. Spaulding's honest, stare-into-your-soul approach to comedy has unsurprisingly resonated with people; he seems to have an innate ability to make the mundane magical, and to connect.
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"It's Berlin!": Satire and Self-Discovery
Spaulding's career took off with his YouTube series "It's Berlin!," which satirized the hipster culture of the German capital. The series gained a cult following, but also led to some negative experiences. Some viewers didn't realize the character was fictional and sent hate messages to Spaulding.
The negative feedback, combined with the isolation of the pandemic, led to a period of depression and substance abuse. Spaulding gained weight and his mental health deteriorated.
Transformation and New Beginnings
After hitting rock bottom, Spaulding made the decision to quit drinking and take back control of his life. He underwent gastric sleeve surgery and a hair transplant, marking a turning point in his life. Spaulding lost 90 kilograms (220 pounds) and is happier with his scalp.
Spaulding is candid about his transformation, which has significantly changed the way he navigates the world and how people perceive him. He now uses his platform to share his journey and inspire others.
Speaking Out: Activism and Israel
In recent years, Spaulding has become increasingly vocal about his support for Israel and his opposition to antisemitism. He has criticized high-profile comedians who have pushed anti-Israel talking points, noting the double standards in how famous people talk about Israel.
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Spaulding believes that people are often afraid to speak out in support of Israel because they fear being labeled as "too political." He has been surprised by the support he has received from Christians and Republicans, groups that are not traditionally aligned with the Jewish community.
America's Mental Health Crisis
Spaulding has also expressed concern about the state of mental health in America, which he believes is being fueled by demoralization, political division, and a "rage culture" amplified by the media.
He believes that Americans need to reclaim patriotism, stop hating each other, and take care of each other. Spaulding is hopeful that a shift to "hyper-patriotism" will inspire people to love their country and its allies again.
Lessons Learned: Advice for Aspiring Comedians
Spaulding offers advice for those who may want to embark on a comedy career. Don’t be in competition with others, there are ups and downs, comedy is empathy, always find the fun in what you’re doing and stay healthy.
A Voice for Peace: Spaulding's Vision
Spaulding envisions a peace movement that is focused on consciousness. He believes that even when people are lifted out of poverty and war, they still manage to create problems for themselves. Spaulding's movement would focus on educating people with the tools to understand how their mind works, and teaching them to find inner peace within themselves.
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