Sydnee Washington | |
---|---|
Born | Brooklyn, New York, New York, USA |
Medium | Stand-up, television, podcast |
Nationality | American |
Years active | 2013 – present |
Notable works and roles | The Unofficial Expert (podcast) |
Sydnee Washington is an American comedian, actress, model, and podcaster. She appeared on Comedy Central's Up Next showcase in 2018. Washington hosts the podcast Hobby Hunter and co-hosts the comedy podcast The Unofficial Expert with Marie Faustin. Her work has been recommended by The New York Times, Time Out, New York Post and W.[1][2][3]
Washington pursued comedy based on a friend's recommendation. Working at a high-end cocktail lounge she would frequently banter with customers.[4] Her friend filmed several of the bits and edited them into a reel to convince Washington to pursue comedy.[4] She first performed stand-up in 2013.[5]
She gained wider prominence after she appeared in Comedy Central's 2018 Up Next showcase.[4] That year she also hosted Death of a Bottle Girl, a one-woman show that was called "hilarious" by Time Out.[6]
With Marie Faustin and Aminah Imani, she co-hosted the Sunday night Knitting Factory comedy showcase originally started by comedian Hannibal Burress.[4][7] She also co-hosts the comedy podcast The Unofficial Expert with Faustin, where they interview experts from various fields. The podcast was recommended by Vulture.[8]
In 2020, due to social distancing requirements related to COVID-19, Washington no longer had the option of performing live stand-up.[9] She began hosting a weekly Instagram Live show called Syd Can Cook to have a consistent platform to perform for an audience.[2] She is assisted in person by her friend Karolena Greenidge, and they go live with various comedians who attempt to assist Washington follow a recipe, like chicken tikka masala and shrimp scampi.[9]
Washington is also a model.[4]
In 2021 she started the podcast Hobby Hunter, featuring guests including Caleb Hearon and Shelby Wolstein, who discuss "the hobbies that have brought them joy over the years."[10]
Washington was born in Brooklyn, where she currently resides.[2] She spent her childhood in Oakland and moved back to Brooklyn when she was 13.[5][10]
Washington is a lesbian and began to identify as such during adulthood.[4][11] She remarked that many people are skeptical of her sexuality due to her femme presentation.[4] About Hollywood she told Paper: "At least they know what a gay male actor is supposed to be...For somebody like me, they're like, 'Gay isn't believable, you have rhinestones on.'"[12]