Gina Brillon
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Gina Brillon is an American-born Puerto Rican comedian, writer, actress, and podcaster.[1]
Early life and background
[edit]Gina Brillon was born in the Bronx, New York into a Puerto Rican family. Brillon began stand-up comedy at the age of 17.[1]
Career
[edit]Brillon's career spans decades, during which time she has made notable contributions to stand-up comedy, television, and writing.
In 2012, she became the first Latina winner of NBC's Stand Up for Diversity Showcase.[2] The following year, she was named "New Face" at the prestigious Montreal Just For Laughs Festival.[3] Her debut half-hour special, Easily Offended, aired on HBO Latino's Entre Nos franchise and continues to stream on all HBO digital platforms. Her sophomore one-hour special on Prime Video, The Floor is Lava, won a Gracie Award in 2021 and was nominated for an Imagen Award the same year.[4]
Brillon has appeared on television programs including The View, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kevin Can Wait, and The Conners.[5] In 2021, she became the first Latina comedian to become a finalist on America's Got Talent.[6] She is a regular on Fox News Saturday Night. Her fifth comedy special, Mind Your Business, debuts on YouTube on February 10, 2025.
Podcasting
[edit]Brillon is the co-host and executive producer of The State of: Women, a podcast from Clamor Audio.[7] The show explores gender equity across the United States, highlighting states that excel or falter in achieving equality and offering actionable insights for listeners. She also co-hosted a podcast with Catherine Mendoza named Mess in Progress from 2019 to 2021.[8]
Other creative pursuits
[edit]In addition to comedy, Gina Brillon is a singer and poet. Her written works have appeared in publications such as the New York Post and the Daily News.[verification needed]
Personal life
[edit]Brillon is a mother and often incorporates her experiences as a parent into her comedic material. She is an advocate for diversity, inclusion, and gender equity, and uses her platform to inspire change and foster connection.[9]
Awards and recognition
[edit]- NBC Stand Up for Diversity Showcase: First Latina winner (2012)
- America's Got Talent: First Latina comedian finalist (Season 16, 2021)
| Year | Award | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Imagen Award | The Floor is Lava | Nominated |
| 2021 | Gracie Award | The Floor is Lava | Won |
Notable works
[edit]- Easily Offended (HBO Latino, 2018)
- The Floor Is Lava (Amazon Prime Video, 2019)
- Acting roles: Kevin Can Wait (CBS), The Conners (ABC)
References
[edit]- ^ a b Brillon, Gina. "About". Gina Brillon Official Website. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ Lehan, Daniel (8 January 2013). "NBCU Announces 2012 Stand-Up for Diversity Winners". Backstage. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ Scudder, Maggie (22 December 2022). "Gina Brillon Know Thyself". Gold Comedy. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ Combs, Catherine (9 June 2021). "46th ANNUAL GRACIE AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED BY THE ALLIANCE FOR WOMEN IN MEDIA FOUNDATION". Alliance for Women in Media. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ Gina, Brillon. "Gina Brillon IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ America's Got Talent (13 September 2021). "AGT Contestants REACT to Being Voted Through to the FINALS! - America's Got Talent 2021". YouTube. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ "About". The State of: Women. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ Brillon, Gina. "Mess In Progress: A Homegirls Guide To Self-Help". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ Brillon, Gina. "Becoming a mother changed the game for me. It's the hardest thing I have ever done emotionally and physically. Honestly it has been worth every minute to watch my lil one grow #motherhood #ginabrillon". Instagram. Retrieved 20 January 2025.