Mel Mitchell isn’t afraid of a hot take.
The Atlanta-based stand-up comedian, actor, and content creator caught our attention this year for her sharp commentary and quick wit. She’s also been named one of the Mash101 — our list of the voices shaping digital culture right now.
“Whether she’s breaking down a pop culture moment or reenacting a familiar online interaction, the throughline is the same,” writes Mashable’s Crystal Bell. “The joke lands because the observation is precise.”
Mitchell has us cracking up with “the black mom on ‘The Magic School Bus’” and her loving caricature of director Ryan Coogler. With her impression of “the black muggle mom,” Mitchell continues an ongoing content stream that riffs on the Harry Potter universe.
Mitchell’s Potter-inspired comedy really took off after a video of her as a black teacher at Hogwarts went viral. Subsequent videos, like the muggle mom at the Hogwarts Parent/Teacher conference, have also gained widespread adoration.
Credit: Zooey Liao/Mashable/Google Images/Mel Mitchell
Mitchell has also added “actor” to her resumé this year, appearing on KevOnStage’s “Churchy,” “The Hospital,” and “The Airport.”
Mashable Trend Report
We recently caught up with the 31-year-old comedian to talk about her love for comedy, being a pastor’s kid, and which products she relies on for recording content.
Mel Mitchell’s creator essentials:
“For when I’m doing multiple creators.”
“So I can see my scripts.”
You often feature your natural hair as a topic of conversation in your content – what are your go-to hair products?
I love the Camille Rose setting foam, the Bask & Lather edge control, a spray bottle of water, and the green Eco Style gel.
How has being a “pastor’s kid” (as you say) influenced your comedy?
I say all the time that being a comedian is ministry. Comedy and preaching are the same skillset, so I believe it was passed down genetically! That and my hilarious life experiences have set me up for success in comedy.
Who is your ideal audience?
My ideal audience consists of Black women and the Black LGBTQIA community; they just get me!
What do you love about what you do?
I really enjoy making people laugh and spreading joy. My favorite is when I make a SUPER niche joke, and it reaches the few people who would actually understand it.
From YouTubers and TikTok stars to streamers and podcasters, Mashable talks to creators about how they built their platforms, the gear they swear by, and the trends they see coming next. Read more of our creator coverage and meet The Mashable 101 to discover the internet’s most exciting voices.
