ENTERTAINMENT
5 MINUTES WITH
Arlene Petersen
BY VENECIA VALENTINE
A FORCE OF NATURE, AWARD-WINNING COMEDIENNE, ACTRESS, AND TV HOST ARLENE PETERSEN CONTINUES TO LIGHT UP STAGES WITH RAW WIT.
WHERE DO YOU USUALLY DRAW INSPIRATION FROM?
I draw my inspiration from a combination of everyday life and personal experience. Standup comedy is my therapy, so it’ s an external expression of my internal turmoil. I first go through the pain, and then, on the other side of my tribulations, I find the funny in it. The audience can relate as we all experience similar problems in our daily lives. There is literally nothing new under the sun.
WHAT DOES TODAY’ S AUDIENCE EXPECT THAT’ S DIFFERENT FROM WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED?
Today’ s audience expects me to integrate my online persona –‘ That Comedy Chick’ – with my standup persona, Arlene Petersen, to meet in the middle. Because they have easy access to me on TikTok, they ask me questions on stage like“ Hoe gaan dit met jou Ma?”( How is your mother?). I’ ll then have to deviate and have a real conversation with them in the middle of my set as I share a big chunk of my life on social media. I actually don’ t mind, as those conversations mostly result in new material, which is a win-win.
HAS PERFORMING IN DIFFERENT PLACES SHAPED YOUR COMEDY?
I’ ve mostly travelled to the West Coast for comedy, and that actually inspired me to write more stand-up routines in my mother tongue, which is Afrikaans. This is ironic because during my first two years in the industry, I forced myself to do only English sets to try to be more universal, but Afrikaans is baas( boss).
WHAT’ S THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT COMEDIANS OFFSTAGE?
The biggest misconception people have about comedians offstage is that we’ re always funny, goofing, and clowning around. Most of us are actually deep thinkers, and suffer from social anxiety and mental health issues. However, when we step foot on stage, these issues melt away – it’ s us engaging with the audience, and we walk away therapised.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG CREATIVES TRYING TO BREAK INTO COMEDY?
Be yourself, don’ t try to copy anyone else’ s comedy style, as we will instantly know. Trust me. Lastly, never ever give up on yourself. One moment you’ re on every poster circulating, and the next moment you’ re struggling to book an open mic spot.
WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT NEXT FROM YOU?
People can expect to catch my show Plain Jane at the Suidoosterfees on 1 May at 6pm. Tickets are available online or reach out to me at‘ That Comedy Chick’ on TikTok and Instagram. IB
22 INBOUND SA / MARCH 2026