Kevin Ross: I saw that there was a lot of buzz about your pregnancy announcement. How did that feel, especially considering all the great segments you do with your shows?

Jess Hilarious: Yes, it was interesting to see the focus on my pregnancy. There was more about that than anything else I was doing, like my segments with the “mess” and other things. 

Joining The Breakfast Club

KR: When you started on Breakfast Club, the whole process of not letting people know you were joining—whose idea was that? Creating speculation that you blew the job? Whose idea was it to create the spectacle?

JH: That’s a funny question. It wasn’t really anybody’s idea. It was real. I actually take the blame for it. I wasn’t supposed to do that, but I didn’t care. I wanted to put them under fire. Charlemagne ran with it. When I first announced it, I didn’t hear from Charlemagne, iHeart, the program director, or Envy. I thought maybe I shouldn’t have done it. It went viral, and I was just trying to light a fire under them because they were taking so long. They didn’t want to give me what I felt I was worth, and this move wasn’t just a small change—it was a big one with a child and another on the way.

KR: That must have been real tough.

JH: Not everyone does. We often seek validation from others instead of supporting each other. If we focused on each other, we could be greater than any other race.

Career Beginnings and COVID Impact

KR: How did you get your start? Did COVID give you a boost?

JH: I started before COVID with 15-second Instagram videos. My first sketch went viral, then Nick Cannon put me on Wild ‘N Out. COVID did give me a boost. I rebranded and created several series on YouTube, which helped build a different, loyal audience.

Creating Content

KR: It must have been time-consuming to create all that content.

JH: Yes, it was. I don’t do as many skits now because it’s oversaturated. I focus on writing and pitching shows to networks. I’m not giving away my hard work for free anymore.

Transition to Stand-Up

KR: Was it hard to transition from internet comedy to stand-up?

JH: Not for me. I started doing both around the same time. My god-brother encouraged me to do stand-up, and I fell in love with it. It wasn’t hard for me to transition, but I know it is for others.

Creating Own Platforms

KR: Why do you think some people don’t create their own platforms?

JH: Some people might not realize the potential. They go on other platforms instead of creating their own, which limits them.

Thoughts on Vlad TV

KR: What do you think about Vlad TV?

JH: Vlad does great shows with good research. He gets attacked a lot by the black community, but I respect what he does. People run to his platform willingly.

Future Plans with The Breakfast Club

KR: What do you hope to accomplish with the Breakfast Club?

JH: I want to use it as a stepping stone to my own TV talk show. I don’t plan to stay in radio forever. This is a pivotal moment for my career, setting up for the next big thing.

Upcoming Projects

KR: Anything else you want to add?

JH: I have a book coming out about co-parenting with my son’s father, an eyewear line called Messy Vision, and an athletic line. I have a big project in Baltimore that I can’t talk about yet but it’s going to be amazing.

Personal Life

KR: I saw your video about your boyfriend. People really thought he was Brittney Griner!

JH: Yes, that was hilarious. People grab onto anything these days.

Closing Remarks

KR: I’m very proud of you and happy to see your success. You’re going to be a very big star. It was a pleasure interviewing you. Take care.

JH: Thank you so much, Kevin. Take care.

See the entire interview with more segments on our YouTube channel