Meet Neil Chris

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Neil Chris. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Neil below.

Neil, so great to have you with us and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with the community. So, let’s jump into something that stops so many people from going after their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. We’d love to hear about how you dealt with that and persisted on your path.

Honestly, I’ve dealt with haters my whole life—people who didn’t get the vision, didn’t get the humor, or just didn’t want to see someone like me win. But I’ve learned to turn that noise into fuel. I remind myself that most of the time, hate comes from fear, jealousy, or a lack of understanding. I don’t take it personal—I take it as confirmation that I’m shaking something up.

Plus, I’m not doing this for approval. I’m doing this because it’s who I am. Comedy, music, creativity—it’s how I breathe. If everybody likes you, you’re probably not saying anything real. So I keep moving, I keep growing, and I let my work speak louder than their doubt.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a stand-up comedian, musician, and show producer based out of Charleston, SC, performing under the name Neil Chris. I also run Comic Life, a live comedy brand I created to build real opportunities for comedians—not just the ones in the circle, not just the ones who play the game, but the ones who deserve a shot.

I started Comic Life because I know what it’s like to be overlooked. As a musician and a comic, I’ve had doors shut in my face, seen rooms controlled by gatekeepers who decide what’s “in” and who gets a chance. So I stopped waiting and built something myself. Comic Life is a space for comedians to be raw, unfiltered, and real. No politics, no kissing up—just stage time, growth, and respect. I host and produce multiple live shows across Charleston, and it’s grown into a legit platform for comics at all levels.

I’m doing this for the love of the art, but even more than that, I’m doing it to give others what I didn’t have starting out. Because comedy saved me. When I felt the most alone, the most disconnected, stand-up gave me something to hold onto. It gave me a voice, a reason to show up, and eventually, a community of people who got me. Comedy didn’t just help me laugh again—it set me free.

As Neil Chris, I also perform independently and tour outside Charleston, building my own path as a comic. But Comic Life is about the collective. It’s about building a space where artists can thrive, where the audience feels something real, and where the hustle gets honored.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three most impactful things in my journey have been resilience, self-awareness, and the ability to create opportunities instead of waiting for them.

Resilience is everything. You’re going to bomb. You’re going to be misunderstood. You’re going to see people with less talent get ahead because they know someone or fit a mold. You have to keep going anyway. Learn how to take the L, feel it, and still show up the next night with something to prove—but without losing your soul.

Self-awareness is a game changer. You gotta know who you are, what makes you different, and what kind of energy you bring into a room. If you’re just mimicking someone else, the crowd can feel it. When I leaned into my own voice—what I actually thought was funny, not what I thought I should say—that’s when I started connecting with people.

And most importantly: don’t wait for a seat at the table—build your own table. That’s how Comic Life was born. I got tired of chasing validation from people who were never going to give it. So I started creating my own shows, booking my own rooms, and bringing people with me. That mindset alone can change everything.

For anyone early in their journey: take your time, but don’t wait. Be consistent. Bomb with grace. Study the craft. Watch the pros, but don’t copy them. And when in doubt—create your own lane. The people who need what you bring will find you. But only if you keep showing up.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Absolutely—I’m always looking to collaborate, but it’s gotta be the right kind of energy. I’m interested in working with comedians, musicians, venue owners, producers, and creatives who are about the craft, not the clout. People who are consistent, hungry, and professional, but still know how to have fun and keep it real.

I’m not into ego trips or empty hype. If you’re someone who wants to build something authentic—whether that’s a live show, a podcast, a tour, a creative event, or something we haven’t even thought of yet—I’m down to talk.

You can hit me up through Instagram @mrneilchris, or reach out via email at [email protected]. Let’s build something that actually matters—not just for likes, but for impact.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @mrneilchris