Just for Laughs review: Tiffany Haddish embraced her stardom at a solid gala taping

The Tiffany Haddish Gala
Place des Arts
July 28, 2018

The one gala show we caught this year was hosted by comedy superstar Tiffany Haddish, who has been on an incredible run since her breakout role in Girl’s Trip last year. Recipient of this year’s Just For Laughs Award for Comedy Person of the Year, Haddish brought a level of unbridled joy to her late-night gala that you rarely see in these larger, heavily scripted TV tapings.

In front of a packed and wildly vocal crowd, Haddish posed, danced, drank various mixed drinks, and seemed to bask in the glory of her recent success, while constantly acknowledging the hard work that brought her there. Often repeating her self-coined “She Ready” motto, Haddish took on her love of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and her fondness for the French language in Montreal. Not exactly groundbreaking material, but her enthusiasm and the audience’s sheer goodwill towards her intertwined to create a memorable set that wrapped up in the wee hours of the morning.

Other highlights from the gala included a hilarious set by Fortune Feimster that focused on her experiences as a young person discovering her sexuality, while acknowledging her similarity to the chubby kid in Bad Santa. Based on the huge crowd reaction, don’t be surprised if she’s hosting her own gala this time next year.

UK’s Gina Yashere delivered a great set about the utter filthiness of New York City and her strict Nigerian mother, while Lil Rel Howery, fresh from hosting his own show earlier in the night, proved that he possesses the best laugh in comedy, making every joke feel like a story told by a close friend.

Nath Valvo, Phil Hanley, Reuben Paul, and Nour Hadidi also delivered strong sets, rounding out a gala that felt as loose as a night out at a local comedy club. While all the sets were well received, Haddish proved that her recent rise to fame is no fluke, presiding over the night with the confidence and seemingly effortless charisma of a true comedy star.