It’s the sound of her voice, gravely, sultry and deep that sets actress/comedian Kym Whitley apart from the crowd. You might not know how her face, but I am sure that you know her voice.
Whitley caught her big break starring in Shelly Garrett’s play, “Beauty Shop.” The year was 1989. The location was Los Angeles and the buzz was so strong for the comedy that it went on tour across the U.S.
Before she knew it, Whitley was appearing in a myriad of television shows including “Animal Practice,” “The Boondocks,” “Young & Hungry,” “The Parkers,” and “Black Dynamite,” to name a few.
A woman with a unique brand of humor, Whitley honed that skill and crafted it into a standup career that kept her busy juggling life on the live comedy stages around the country and appearing in film and television where she earned a Comedy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her role in the 2003 comedy, “Deliver Us From Eva.”
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Her reputation continued to grow, which opened the door to her own reality docu-series, “Raising Whitley,” that debuted on the Oprah Winfrey Network in 2013. The show attracted 1.2 million viewers, making it the fifth most-widely viewed premiere in the history of the network.
Fast forward to 2022 and Whitley is now tossing her proverbial hat into the podcast world with her new series, “KYM”, a hilarious new Audible scripted original comedy produced and created by Lena Waithe and Kym Whitley. The show also features Sherri Shepherd, David A. Arnold, Jess Hilarious, Jenifer Lewis, Oscar-nominated actress Cynthia Erivo, and more, with original music composed by multiple Grammy Award-winning artist Wyclef Jean.
Set in Los Angeles, “KYM” follows the fictionalized story of Kym Wilson, a single, middle-aged stand-up comic and actress trying to keep her Hollywood star rising while simultaneously raising a young boy left on her doorstep.
As Kym balances showbiz demands with her son’s growing needs—and while her child’s biological mom keeps popping in and out of their lives, a hard-to-shake romance creeps back into her heart. Can Kym’s grit, talent, and cool keep everything and everyone in check?
“KYM” started in late October, so you still have the opportunity to catch the comedy wave. You can get a taste of the show at audible.com/pd/Kym-podcast/b0b31yg36s.
We caught up with actress/comedian/producer Kym Whitley and here’s what she had to share about stepping into the podcast world
L.A. Sentinel: How you doing, funny lady and congratulations, you made me laugh, a lot!
Kym Whitley: Thank you so much.
LAS: I am impressed with the press kit your team put together for your podcast “KYM,” making it clear that Lena Waithe is the producer, which tells my brain, this is going to be a success. How long have your known Lena?
KW: It’s so funny in this business. One day, we are sitting on my couch, chilling, talking about our dreams and the next day, she’s producing a show for me.
LAS: That. Is. So. Hollywood. My bad, please continue Ms. Kym.
KW: I’m talking about the fact that dreams really do come true.
LAS: Preach.
KW: I’m talking about the value of being persistent.
LAS: ‘Yasss’ — speak on it, Ms. Kym.
KW: I’m talking about the fact that if you stick around long enough, things will move in your favor.
LAS: Especially if you have Lena Waithe in your corner. She’s a Tarus like myself. Where most people have blood running through your veins, we have loyalty running through ours.
KW: You know, all the stuff that she’s [Lena] done, she has remained to be the same person. And it’s just been fantastic that, you know, we talked about this many years ago.
LAS: Lena didn’t forget. She has that bull brain. Hollywood is filled to the brim with people talking and not delivering anything.
KW: Yes, Hollywood is talk, but Lena keeps her word. She’s gonna see it through.
LAS: And she stood by you, right?
KW: She really stood next to me on this project and she pushed it through.
LAS: It’s those Taurus horns plus she’s an innovator.
KW: She is and “KYM” is giving people something different.
LAS: It made me laugh plus I like the idea of taking a story on the road with me. I’m busy. I don’t always have the luxury of sitting and starring at a screen.
KW: I agree.
LAS: Plus with Podcasts, my imagination fills in the blanks my imagination is rather awesome!
KW: (laughing) I agree. I agree. Podcasts do open your mind and pushes into another layer of your brain. And it just feels refreshing.
LAS: You know what’s really refreshing?
KW: What?
LAS: You, Kym Whitley and your new podcast “KYM”.
