For Chanel Omari, turning 40 isn’t a midlife crisis, it’s a punchline.
The stand-up comedian is ready to take center stage for her first-ever live comedy special – and she’s got a lot to say about getting older (while still feeling 20), surviving modern dating and trying to figure it all out in a new decade.
The one-hour event, aptly titled “40 Is the New 20”, will be recorded live on Saturday, May 23, at NYC hotspot The Cutting Room (and is expected to air on Amazon Prime in November).
With hush-hush celebrity guests scheduled to appear during the taping, the actress and popular podcast host is flipping the script with her fearless humor, relatable storytelling and unapologetic take on what it really means to turn 40 in today’s youth-obsessed culture.
Now, Chanel is sitting down with Us Weekly to talk about coming full circle – from her reality star days to opening for Jerry Seinfeld – and what she’s learned about reinvention, confidence and getting better with age.
Us Weekly: Tell Us all about the new live comedy show? How exciting!
Chanel Omari: I’m so excited about this show because it honestly feels like the most authentic version of me on stage yet. The special is called “40 Is the New 20,” and it’s all about navigating life as a woman who’s technically “grown up” but still figuring things out half the time. I talk about dating disasters, friendships, therapy, social media, New York life, getting older in an industry obsessed with youth, and just trying to survive adulthood with humor intact.
It’s very personal, very raw, but also ridiculously funny and relatable. I think people are craving comedy that not only makes them laugh, but also makes them feel seen. As women get older, society can sometimes make us feel invisible – and I really wanted this show to remind women that we’re still evolving, thriving, hilarious, and absolutely worthy of being seen.
The show is called “40 Is the New 20.” You’re speaking to my era and speaking my language. What does that era mean to you? Is it an era of your second 20s? The era of living your best life? The era of change and transition?
All of the above. Your 20s are chaotic – you’re insecure, broke, trying to impress everyone, dating the wrong people, and pretending you know who you are. Your 40s are like, “Wait… I survived all that?”
There’s something incredibly empowering about getting older because you stop apologizing for yourself. I think 40 is the era where women really come into their power. You care less about perfection and more about peace. It’s your second 20s – but with boundaries, better skincare, and hopefully a therapist.
I find so much humor in getting older while still mentally feeling 20. You still want to dance all night, chase your dreams, and romanticize life… your knees just have different opinions now.
How do you keep up with feeling 20 at 40? Lip filler, injectables, hours in the gym, or just don’t care as much?
Honestly, it’s probably a combination of delusion and good lighting. I’m from New York – every woman here looks 27 until she casually tells you she has three kids in college.
I joke a lot in the special about fillers and beauty culture because there’s so much pressure on women to stay young forever. But the truth is, feeling young has more to do with your energy than your face. Staying curious, laughing, chasing your dreams, surrounding yourself with inspiring people – that keeps you young.
Also… under-eye concealer helps tremendously.
You talk about dating in your 40s in the comedy special — how does that compare to your 20s?
Dating in your 40s is wild because everybody comes with “bonus content.” In your 20s, you ask someone their favorite movie. In your 40s, you’re asking about emotional availability, attachment styles, and whether they still share a Netflix password with their ex.
You absolutely have to laugh about it because modern dating is basically a part-time job mixed with a psychological experiment. But I do think dating gets better when you know yourself more. You waste less time pretending and become much more honest about what you actually want.
A major streaming studio will be airing your comedy special — wink, wink. How did it all happen?
It’s honestly been years in the making. I’ve been grinding in comedy clubs, producing content, hosting my podcast, building my audience independently, and staying consistent even when people told me to pivot or give up.
I think this opportunity really came from staying authentic to my voice. There’s this misconception that success happens overnight, but most people don’t see the years of rejection, hustle, and uncertainty behind it. So to finally have a major platform interested feels surreal and incredibly validating.
And what’s exciting is that most people have never actually seen me perform 30 minutes to an hour live before. Recording my first comedy special at the iconic The Cutting Room feels like a huge full-circle moment for me.
You’ve been doing stand-up for years. Do you still get nervous?
We’re expecting a packed room, which is exciting and terrifying at the same time. And yes – I still get nervous every single time I go on stage. I actually think nerves are healthy because it means you care.
The most nervous I’ve ever been was probably opening for major comedians early in my career because I felt like I had to prove I belonged there. But honestly, I’ve learned that the bigger the nerves, the bigger the breakthrough usually is afterward.
We know you can’t give away too many details, but can you give Us some hints about some famous faces who will be in the audience?
Let’s just say there will definitely be some Bravo personalities, media people, comedians, and a few recognizable faces from the New York social scene popping in. My worlds have kind of collided over the years between comedy, podcasting, reality TV, and entertainment journalism, so the crowd is always a very fun mix of chaos and fabulousness.
Is there one comedian who made you the most starstruck? Is there one who surprised you the most?
Definitely Jerry Seinfeld. I opened for him at Gotham Comedy Club and had a full internal panic attack trying to act normal around him. He’s such a comedy legend, and his observational humor completely changed stand-up. That was definitely one of those “How is this my life right now?” moments.
As for surprises, some of the biggest comedians are actually the nicest behind the scenes. The people who are truly talented usually don’t need to act like divas. Comedy humbles everybody eventually.
You also host your popular podcast “Chanel in the City” – how different is that from your standup life?
My iHeartRadio podcast “Chanel in the City” is incredibly meaningful to me because it allows me to connect with people in a much deeper way. Stand-up is fast-paced and punchline-driven, but podcasting gives me space to have vulnerable, authentic conversations.
I get to interview actors, reality stars, comedians, entrepreneurs, and really talk about their journeys, failures, insecurities, and success stories. It’s become this amazing space where people feel comfortable opening up and being themselves.
You’ve interviewed a ton of Bravo stars and movie stars like David Arquette — it must be hard to choose, but who’s been your favorite to open up with? Craziest experience? And who’s the ultimate dream guest?
David Arquette was incredibly fun because he’s so open, eccentric, and genuinely kind. I love guests who surprise people and turn out to be much more layered than their public persona. Some of my favorite interviews are actually the ones where people unexpectedly become emotional or vulnerable. Those are the moments listeners connect to most.
Craziest experience? Honestly, there are too many to count in New York media life. I’ve definitely had interviews go from red carpets to after-parties to existential therapy sessions very quickly.
Dream guest? Probably Sarah Jessica Parker because she represents New York, female reinvention, fashion, and storytelling in such an iconic way. And, of course, Howard Stern because he completely revolutionized interviewing.
You got your start as a reality star on the short-lived Bravo show Princesses: Long Island in 2013 – do you think that could ever make a comeback today 13 years later?
Honestly, I think people would appreciate it even more now because audiences love nostalgia and authenticity. Back then, reality TV was a little more unfiltered and chaotic in the best way. Today, everyone is so curated online.
I think viewers miss seeing real personalities, family dynamics, and imperfect moments. So who knows — maybe the princesses need a grown-up reboot.
Do you miss reality TV?
Parts of it, yes. Reality TV gave me opportunities and visibility, and I’m grateful for that chapter of my life. But it’s also a very intense world because suddenly strangers think they know everything about you from edited clips.
Comedy feels much more empowering because now I control my own narrative and can turn my real-life experiences into something funny, meaningful, and healing.
What’s next for you?
Right now my main focus is the comedy special, continuing to grow “Chanel in the City,” touring more, and expanding into television and streaming projects. I really want to build a brand that blends comedy, pop culture, interviewing, and storytelling together.
I’m also working on my next movie with [director] Danny A. [Abeckaser], which I can’t say too much about just yet, but stay tuned because there are definitely exciting announcements coming soon. I’ll also be announcing my comedy tour very soon, which I’m incredibly excited about.
At the end of the day, I just want to keep making people laugh and feel a little less alone.
For tickets and more information about Chanel Omari’s live comedy special at The Cutting Room in NYC on Saturday, May 23, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/40-is-the-new-20-chanel-omari-comedy-special-live-taping-tickets-1990111480009?aff=oddtdtcreator
