Making America Laugh | Naomi Watanabe
Starting Over Where Nobody Knew My Name
Naomi Watanabe is one of Japan's biggest comedy stars. With a career spanning more than 20 years, she boasts nearly 10 million Instagram followers.
Beyond comedy, she's also become a fashion icon, appearing in campaigns for brands including Adidas X Ivy Park, Marc Jacobs, Fendi, Gap, UGG and so on.
In 2024, she was named to the BBC's 100 Women list.
Based in New York since 2021, she continues to work actively in both Japan and the United States.
In 2026, she completed her first North American stand-up tour, performing a total of 20 shows in 18 cities across the U.S. and Canada entirely in English.
Why would a major star, already at the top back home, start over from scratch in a foreign country?
We caught up with Naomi in New York to find out.
North American tour "FROM TOKYO"
Building a Stand-Up Set - Completely Solo
IROHA: Congratulations on your 20 shows in 18-city North American stand-up tour! How did it feel performing across the U.S. and Canada?
NAOMI: It was my first big tour, so honestly, I was really nervous.Before this, I'd only performed stand-up once in New York.
I wrote all the English material by myself — zero input from anyone else.
I didn't ask American comedians for advice, didn't consult any comedy writers back in Japan.
It was totally trial and error, just me going, "Is this even funny?" the whole time.
My goal was simple: create jokes that both Japanese and American audiences could enjoy.
I talked about what I've experienced as an immigrant living in New York, along with the funny things I've noticed about America through Japanese eyes. That perspective felt the most authentic to me.
From opening night in Los Angeles to the final show in Vancouver, the set kept evolving.
After every performance, I'd be like, "Okay, this part works." or "I should tweak this part" or "I need another punchline here." I kept making little adjustments city after city.
The hardest part was that every time I came up with a better joke in Japanese, I had to rewrite it in English, memorize it all over again, and work on the delivery and nuance.
That took time, so there were plenty of ideas I wanted to try but simply couldn't.
Still, by the end of the tour, I felt like I'd finally shaped the material into the version I'd been aiming for.
YouTube NAOMI CLUB with Lady GAGA
Every Audience Taught Me Something New
NAOMI: Every city had its own vibe, and audiences reacted differently depending on where we were.
So, I kept tweaking the show as I went, always thinking, "Let's give them a 100-point performance every single night."
I got so much feedback and experience from the audiences. For a first big tour, I honestly think I had a great time.
IROHA: I was in the audience in NYC, and it was hilarious. Especially your "dinosaur" bit. Once you've seen it, you never forget it. (Laughs.)
NAOMI:(Laughs.) Honestly, that bit didn't even kill at first! People were like, "...A dinosaur?"
So, I kept tweaking it to make it land better.
Then, somewhere around the middle of the tour, everything clicked. By the end, everybody was obsessed with the dinosaur (laughs).
Comedy Is All About Timing—Not Perfect English
IROHA: You also had a Q&A session during the shows. I was impressed by how naturally you turned every audience interaction into comedy.
NAOMI: I wanted the Q&A to be a fun back-and-forth with the audience, but I also wanted to test myself — how quick could I really be in English?
There were so many moments when I'd have the perfect comeback in Japanese, and I'd think, "I know exactly where I want to take this joke… but I have no idea how to say it in English!" So frustrating!
But I told myself: forget perfect English. Even if it's broken, just focus on the speed and the timing of the comedy. That's what matters.
Same with writing the material. I could've stuffed it with fancy vocabulary, but if I can't pronounce it and nobody gets it, what's the point?
I wrote everything in my own level of English — my real, everyday grammar — and focused on being funny and getting the point across.
The Laughs Landed — Even with Americans
IROHA: Your shows were packed. Were the audiences mostly Japanese, or was there a mix of people?
NAOMI: I'd say about 30 percent of the audience in each city was made up of local Americans.
Of course, I was incredibly happy to see so many Japanese people come out to support me. It really meant a lot to feel that kind of encouragement from people from my own country.
And then there were Americans who came without knowing who I was, or people who got dragged along by their Japanese friends.
I'd watch their faces during the show, and they were cracking up — like, throwing their heads back laughing. Seeing that, I was like, "Oh wow, it's actually getting through." That made me so happy.
After the show, some people even came up to tell me, "Your English is really good," or "Your pronunciation was so clear!"
I was like, "Really? Are you serious?"(Laughs.) But hearing that made me so happy.
Every City Has Its Own Sense of Humor
ROHA: After 18 cities, did you notice certain places responding differently?
NAOMI: Every audience was wonderful, but each city definitely had its own personality.
New York, LA, Hawaii, D.C., Portland, Dallas, and Toronto — those audiences were loud, big reactions, just amazing energy all around.
Honestly, I think this tour succeeded because people were so kind.
So many people told me, "It's incredible that you're doing stand-up in English," or "Good for you for taking on such a challenge."
Comedy is so tied to culture, and English is my second language.
But so many people rooted for me just because I had the guts to get up on that stage.
IROHA: Stand-up comedy is such a language- and culture-specific art form. Succeeding in another country is an enormous challenge.
NAOMI: I tried as much as possible not to change the kind of comedy I do in Japan. I'm not really into political humor — I just want everyone to have a good time together. That was my focus: pure comedy.
Her first stand-up comedy show in New York in 2024
Fashion Is Part of the Show
IROHA: Your stage outfits were fantastic, too.
NAOMI: Thank you! For the New York show, I actually had a custom outfit made just for that performance.
For all the other cities, I just pulled from my own wardrobe and styled myself to match the vibe of each city.
IROHA: You're a fashion icon, after all.
NAOMI: I should really play that up more, huh? (laughs)
IROHA: Is fashion something you'd like to pursue more in the future as well?
NAOMI: Definitely. I'd love to explore that more.
Why I Chose to Start Over in New York
IROHA: You had already built an incredibly successful career in Japan. I'm sure many people thought it was a shame to leave all of that behind. What made you decide to move to the U.S. anyway?
NAOMI: I've always loved New York.
When I think entertainment, it's New York — people from all over the world gather here. I've always been drawn to that energy. I never even considered another city.
I was fortunate to have so many amazing opportunities in Japan, and so many people sent me off with words of encouragement, saying, "Go get 'em."
I'd spent my 20s and 30s building my career and gaining experience. I started wondering...
“What if I could make people laugh somewhere that nobody knew who I was?”
I felt that would be the biggest challenge—and probably the most meaningful experience—of my life.
More than anything, I wanted to test myself in a place where I had no reputation to rely on.
Laughter Speaks Every Language
IROHA: After working in America, have you found that comedy is very different here?
NAOMI: Laughter — it's the same in Japan and America. It really is.
The opening-act comedians who toured with me became super close. We clicked right away.
Even though my English isn't perfect, our sensibilities were totally in sync.
That feeling of "that's funny" — it's the same. Japan, America, doesn't matter.
IROHA: Has performing in your second language been the biggest challenge?
NAOMI: Definitely. With stand-up, it's not just the prepared material — the ad-libs, the stuff that happens in the moment, that's what kills.
In Japanese, I can read the room and fire back instantly. But in English, I don't have that reflex yet.
The scripted material, I can practice it over and over, polish it until it gets huge laughs. But ad-libbing? That's pure instinct and split-second timing.
That's why I really want to keep improving my English, so I can express myself freely in the moment.
If You Have an Idea, Go for It
IROHA: What would you say to young people who dream of pursuing stand-up comedy or entertainment overseas, just like you have?
NAOMI: I still feel like a beginner myself, so I don't know if I'm in a position to give advice.
But if I had to say one thing, it'd be this: Just go for it.
If you have an idea, don't just sit on it—make it happen.
One thing I've really come to appreciate about America is that people here are open to those who try something new.
If you have an idea that makes you think, "This could be interesting," don't keep it to yourself. Put it out into the world.
IROHA: It sounds like you've also had a lot of support since moving to the U.S.
NAOMI: Absolutely. Since coming to America, I've been helped by so many people—both Japanese and Americans.
This tour only happened because the local staff on the ground supported it.
And more than anything, every single person who showed up to a show — their support gave me so much strength.
The Next Dream:
A Comedy Actor on the World Stage
IROHA: Finally, what's next for you?
NAOMI: Comedy will always be at the center of what I do.
But I'd also love to act in comedy films and TV shows. That's the next goal. And for that... yeah, I'm studying English harder than ever right now (laughs).
written by Eri Kurobe, Photography : Courtesy of © YOSHIMOTO KOGYO CO., LTD.
LINKS
Instagram Naomi Watanabe
YouTube NAOMI CLUB
PROFILE
Naomi Watanabe is a Japanese comedian, actress, fashion entrepreneur, and digital creator widely recognized as one of Asia's most influential entertainers.
She rose to fame through her energetic performances and spot-on celebrity impersonations, particularly her iconic Beyoncé parody, which showcased her exceptional talent for physical comedy.
Born in Taiwan raised in Japan,over the past two decades, Watanabe has built a multifaceted career spanning television, film, theater, fashion, and digital media.
In 2014, she launched “PUNYUS” a size-inclusive fashion label that celebrates individuality and challenges conventional beauty standards.
She has been based in New York since 2021, and has expanded her career internationally through English-language comedy, acting, and digital content.
In 2026, she completed her first major North American comedy tour, “From Tokyo”, performing in 18 cities across the United States and Canada entirely in English, marking a significant milestone in her global career.
Watanabe has been appearing in campaigns for leading global brands, including Adidas x Ivy Park, Gap, Marc Jacobs, Fendi, UGG and Hugo Boss. She was named one of BBC's 100 Women in 2024, recognizing her impact as a cultural trailblazer and advocate for confidence, diversity, and inclusion.