This week on Let’s Try This Again, host B. Simone welcomes comedian and actress Zainab Johnson for an episode that explores identity, resilience, and the power of personal storytelling.
B. Simone first discovered Johnson on social media—rocking Bantu knots and delivering unapologetically honest punchlines—and immediately knew she wanted to bring her onto the show. The two sit down for an open conversation about navigating the comedy world as a Black Muslim woman and how embracing what sets you apart can become your strength.
Johnson recalls her early days in stand-up, sharing that she initially got on stage expecting to fail—but wanted a story to tell. Instead, she found an unexpected sense of belonging and the confidence to return to the mic the next day. From open mics at hookah lounges to international comedy tours, Johnson’s journey has been far from traditional, but it’s one she owns fully.
Throughout the conversation, Johnson reflects on growing up in a Muslim household with 13 siblings, wearing a hijab as a child, and never seeing women like herself represented on TV. These experiences didn’t just shape her perspective—they became core material in her comedy. Her candid approach to life, hair, family, and faith fuels her on-stage persona and personal mission: to be the representation she didn’t have growing up.
The episode also dives into conversations around self-image and societal expectations, particularly the stigma surrounding Black women and hair. Whether it’s a flip-over weave or a shaved head, Johnson emphasizes the importance of self-expression and the humor that often lies within it.
For listeners who’ve ever felt like outsiders or questioned their path, the episode offers a reminder that authenticity matters. “Let’s Try This Again” continues to be a space where real stories and real laughs coexist.
