Top 10 Reasons You Should Know Who Taylor Tomlinson Is

Comedic talent Whitney Cummings has seemingly served as a mentor for the younger comedian in both her life and career. Tomlinson made multiple appearances on Cummings’ podcast “Good For You,” discussing everything from careers to love lives. But that doesn’t mean that every topic is on the table. For instance, at one point, Cummings takes a shot at Tomlinson’s hairstyle— and well, how would you respond if someone trashed your hairdo in such a public forum? Tomlinson reacts by doing what she does best; she responds frankly but keeps the tone lighthearted while giving audiences a masterclass in setting boundaries. Yeah, don’t come for Taylor.

Whitney Cummings’ podcast is far from her only foray into that medium. You’ll often find her bringing her comedic charm to Kelsey Cook and Delanie Fischer’s fantastic podcast, “Self-Helpless,” where they humorously tackle everything from nifty life hacks to advice on riding life’s emotional rollercoasters. In 2021, Taylor stepped into the podcast host role with “Sad in the City,” a candid chat for young city dwellers navigating life’s ups and downs, sprinkled with a dash of commentary on the comedy world. Not a podcast person? No worries! Check out Taylor’s mini YouTube series, “Insomnia Baking with Taylor Tomlinson.” It’s a recipe for pure entertainment.

Like any good millennial, Taylor is very active on social media, and let us tell you, her TikToks are a real treat! She throws in snippets of her stand-up sets, other TV appearances, and glimpses of her everyday life. As of 2022, she was sitting comfortably among the top 10 most-followed comediennes on the app. That popularity scored her a collaboration opportunity with Hotels.com. If you haven’t checked out Taylor’s TikTok, now might be a good time to hit that follow button. Just make sure you have several hours to spare— her stuff is seriously bingeworthy.

This comedy talent competition has served as the launching pad for numerous high-profile comedians, including Amy Schumer, Gabriel Iglesias, Roy Wood, Jr., and Iliza Shlesinger. Joining the show in its ninth season, Tomlinson not only secured a spot in the top 10 but also left a lasting impression with her observational humor, relatable stories, and effortless ability to connect with audiences. She narrowly missed out on a spot in the finals, but her talent for finding humor in life's most mortifying hiccups got her noticed and loved by judges and audiences. While victory slipped her grasp, she undeniably emerged as one to watch.

If you’ve been thinking, hey, she looks familiar, but you haven’t been able to place your finger on where from, perhaps we can help. Tomlinson has appeared on talk shows like “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” and “Conan.” She can also be seen on TV shows like “MTV’s Safe Word” and Comedy Central’s “Adam Devine’s House Party,” but we’re going to focus on her late night sets. She’s appeared on “The Tonight Show” a couple of times, charming audiences with engaging and personable humor. She’s also credited Conan O’Brien as one of her comedy heroes and honored that by killing it on his show.

Taylor openly talks about her journey dealing with mental health challenges, like being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and the struggles of breaking through the social stigma. While she grew up feeling hesitant to seek help, these experiences now weave seamlessly into her comedy routines. What sets her apart is her careful approach to avoid reinforcing stigmatization. Instead, she cleverly employs humor to dismantle barriers. Taylor shared that she incorporates the subject into her material as a coping mechanism, using it to create a comfortable space for herself and others. Because, really, who has time to feel awkward when you’re too busy laughing out loud? More of that, please!

If your interest is piqued, and you want more Taylor, head over to Netflix and watch her set on the 2018 series “The Comedy Lineup.” You could also dive into her first Netflix special, “Quarter-Life Crisis,” where she hilariously reflects on the mid-20s struggle—your wild days are in the rearview mirror, but setting up base isn’t yet on your radar. If you love that, great news—2022 brought us another special, “Look At You”, an irreverently introspective set about millennial life. “Variety” also reported that she’s committed to at least two more Netflix specials— and we can’t wait!

Turning 30 in November 2023, Taylor Tomlinson has already achieved some notable milestones. In 2019, Variety spotlighted her as one of their “Top 10 Comics to Watch” at the “Just for Laughs Festival.” A standout recognition came in 2021 when “Forbes” named her in their illustrious “30 Under 30” list. It was a challenging year, with the world still caught up in the pandemic chaos; “Forbes” described the list as representing “bright spots on the horizon”. Tomlinson shared the spotlight with talents like Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana DeBose, Jeremy Pope, and more—now that’s some fantastic company.

Get ready for another Taylor to take the entertainment scene by storm! Tomlinson delivers what younger audiences crave, fearlessly weaving humor into life’s rough patches. She’s been in the game since her teen years, shaping her voice and carving out a niche that clicks with her contemporaries. Tomlinson’s delivery is personable and relatable, and she nails those punchlines like a pro. She feels like that friend - you know, the one you go to when you need a pick-me-up? The one who knows how to leave you breathless with laughter!

Ever notice the lack of women in Late Night? Taylor Tomlinson is changing that! In 2024, she steps into the after-midnight slot, once home to James Corden’s “Late Late Show,” with her own aptly named show. “After Midnight” draws on Comedy Central’s 2013-17 web-centric panel quiz, “@midnight,” hosted by Chris Hardwick. Stephen Colbert, who’ll serve as an executive producer, broke the news on his show, giving her the perfect introduction. Tomlinson will be the sole female host in the Late Night family, plus she’ll be lowering the age bracket by a couple of decades. We’re pumped to see her fresh and sharp comedy style shake up the Late Night scene.

When were you first introduced to this rising comedic talent? Or are you off to check her out for the first time now? Let us know in the comments