Chico Bean, widely recognized for his comedic brilliance, is more than just a funnyman. In an exclusive interview with Baller Alert, Bean provides a deeper look into his life, touching on his journey into stand-up comedy, his friendships, the creation of the immensely popular 85 South Show, and more.
A Journey Beyond Laughter:
Bean took us back to the beginning of his stand-up career, sharing pivotal moments that fueled his passion for instant laughter. His comedic journey isn’t just a job; it’s a heartfelt endeavor that resonates deeply with a diverse audience. From the start, Bean’s captivating persona and intelligence were innate qualities, but the element of comedy was originally not in the cards for him.
“I’ve always been standing in front of people talking. That’s always been a part of my life. I started doing speeches when I was four years old in DC, so stage fright has never been an issue of mine. Now, the element of comedy was never something I thought I was going to be doing, but it helped me once I started because I had already conquered standing in front of a crowd of people and expressing myself. I already had that level of experience. I had to then figure out how to deliver my truth in a way that resonates with who I am as a person,” Bean said. “That was my biggest test in starting comedy.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0Hm9nvCd2c
Friendship Beyond the Stage:
Bean shares the inception of his relationship with comedians DC Young Fly and Karlous Miller and how their friendship grew into a brotherhood. Beyond the spotlight, their camaraderie goes beyond making people laugh; it’s a shared love for the craft and a love for each other through brotherhood that transcends the stage and forms the foundation for their collective success.
“Me and Carlos met at a show at my alma mater, Winston-Salem State University, in 2009, years before either of us had established anything. DC Fly came in during our second season of Wild’n’Out, and he’s one of the most talented human beings that ever existed. So, we all met and just immediately clicked.
The Birth of 85 South Show:
“Karlous was the one who had the most insight within the entertainment industry and shared that we need to record the conversations we’re having, and once we got it started. The rest is history. Although we all come from different places, we have a common denominator, which is that we’re all black men. When we met, we had way more in common than we didn’t have in common, so the entertainment part was just figuring out how to mesh what the people wanted to see from us as a unit. Once we started doing it, we knew it was God’s plan because it just worked.”
Fatherhood and Being a Girl Dad:
Balancing fatherhood with a thriving comedy career, Bean shares the unique joys and challenges of parenting a Gen Z’er. Bean discussed the creative ways he connects with his daughter and how he continues to allow her to bloom both mentally and emotionally.
“My daughter is a much better human being than I was at 15 years old, and I tell her that as often as I can. It’s been a unique experience. I have just a couple of rules that I have instilled in my daughter since she was a baby. One of them is: There’s no such thing as ‘I don’t know.’ That’s not a viable answer here. If you do something, you need to have a reason behind it, and you need to be able to explain it thoroughly. The second rule is: Come to me first. I don’t want anyone coming to me about my baby that I should hear from my baby. As long as she comes to me first, I’m with you right or wrong. It’s my responsibility as a father to make sure the environment is conducive for her to come to me with things as well. No matter what level of conversation we have to have, we’re going to have it, and that’s the type of relationship we always had.”
What’s next for Chico Bean:
Beyond laughter, Chico Bean unveils his determination to make a lasting impact in the entertainment world and shares where he plans to be in this next phase of his life.
“I’m working towards a lot of things, but my perception is very different – I know that I shouldn’t limit myself to what I can imagine because God is real, so my plan is already written. I just have to keep walking, getting up every day, and being the best version of myself. And whatever comes next is what’s for me. I’ve been blessed, and I just continue to work as hard as I possibly can on everything. I’m on this tour right now, where we’re going around the country showing that although comedians are beefing right now, we still can get along. There is still love and admiration amongst us. The 85 South show tour starts on June 1st in Baltimore. I’m also dropping a clothing line and a book soon.”
Chico Bean is a man who seamlessly blends laughter, friendship, and ambition into the fabric of his life. From the roots of stand-up comedy to the triumphs of the 85 South Show and proud parenting, Bean’s story invites us to connect with the genuine, intelligent, multifaceted talent that he is.
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