14
In her debut essay collection, the comedian applies her irreverent wit to the cringey realities of teenagedom.
Growing up as the child of Nigerian immigrants, Ziwe Fumudoh was subjected to many cultural-specific rules.
But the teenage, Massachusetts-born Fumudoh possessed one innate trait there was no containing: her sense of humor.
I’ve always had this personality, Ive always been wry.
Its probably the most consistent thing about me, the comedian andformer star of ShowtimesZiwetells me.
Has [my comedy] evolved and changed?
The news has changed.
She zeroes in on the way she harnessed her humor as a form of armor.
In the essay wikifeet,she writes about growing up as one of the dark-skinned people in her class.
Unsurprisingly, Fumudoh slayed.
Yet all her teacher could respond with was that is sad, before urging her to sit back down.
Similarly, I would say that grinding is something that I was probably too well-trained in, she says.
I dont think Iveevergrinded as an adult!
Below, Fumudoh reflects onZoey 101,being flat-chested, and her crush onSailor Moons Tuxedo Mask.
Take me back to 2006, when you were 14.
Youd just started at Andover.
How was the transition to boarding school?
I was a very independent 14-year-old.
I remember watchingZoey 101and being really inspired by her campus, Pacific Coast Academy.
I didnt apply to a bunch of boarding schools.
I did a summer program [at Andover] by happenstance and then applied.
But at 14 years old I was really into anime.
I remember the songWe Fly High (Ballin)was really popular.
Rihanna was in herSOSerawith her side bangs.
Those were the days.
Did you find it easy to make friends?
Im a shy, introverted person, which might surprise people.
Or maybe Im an antisocial extrovert, I cant decide.
[I befriended] the people who lived in my dorm and were in my classes.
This was before I would make friends on the internet via Twitter and Tumblr.
How did you decorate your dorm room?
I think it was just a blank wall, honestly.
I was never one of those kids who decorated with posters, maybe because of my upbringing.
My laptop was more a reflection of my personality, or my MySpace.
I just remember having a sparkly glitter page.
InBlack Friend,you write about this really mortifying moment when you realized, Uh oh.
I need to be wearing deodorant.
By 14, where were you at on your puberty journey?
I had [discovered] deodorant by that age, God bless.
I still was flat-chested.
So I was this flat-chested, shrill young girl who had crooked teeth.
I think I got braces a year after that.
Did you have any crushes at Andover or in the celebrity realm?
I was a hugeTwilightperson.
Jacob or Edward Cullen, I liked them both.
Also, I remember watchingShes the Man, and Chad Michael Murray was such a cutie in that.
I absolutely adored him.
What do you think your 14-year-old self would think of your life now?
I think my 14-year-old self would be so impressed by the freedom I have to eat whenever I want.
I woke up and ate an ice cream sundae two days ago because I felt like it.
I honestly felt sick and it was a mistake.
But my 14-year-old self would be like, Wow, thats really, really punk.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
This article was originally published onOct.
