‘Life is a Funny Thing Gurr’ .

In honor of Ajai’s birthday.  Here’s an article that I wrote for Sovo Magazine from 2018.  Enjoy

Act I

‘Life is a Funny Thang’ …

Ajai Sanders the little southern girl from Dallas, Texas coined the phrase ‘Life Is A Funny Thing ... Gurr’.  When you read her story, you quickly understand where the laughter begins and ends. After finishing High School, the impressionable non-threatening articulate not so ethnic black girl, packed her bags, moved to Los Angeles, and began working as a stand-up comic; eventually, this work led to the introduction of her Guardian Angel, the late great Robin Harris, who discovered her comedic chops.  Taking her under his wings, hitting the comedy circuit, Sanders was like a little kid in a candy store, the challenges and accomplishments came few and far between, in an arena, that was largely dominated by men.   Sure in society there were female comediennes who made it, leaving their mark, i.e Moms Mabley, Lawanda Page, Phyllis Diller, Joan Rivers, Lily Tomlin, Whoopi Goldberg, etc.,  

Comedy was still considered to be all about male dominance.  The somewhat shy and naïve girl, it took some persuasion from Harris, who helped the young comic to find her inner voice, pushing her into the spotlight.   The struggle was surreal, it was harsh many times, luckily for the world at large, it didn’t deter, the naturally funny comedienne.  When she graced the stage, you were naturally drawn to her sex appeal, femininity, beauty, but what captivated your attention was the intellect and consciousness, that she brought to her comedy routines.  It was fresh, it was original, a different approach, to female comedy, illustrating substance, other than the typical ‘go-to’ gimmicks for quick laughs and resorting to the four-letter expletives, on rare occasion, those came too, but the delivery and groundwork was fully in place.  Being engaging, naturally led her to want to try other things, like television and films.    Under the direction of then manager Marcus King, who managed heavyweights Jamie Foxx and Mark Curry.  She booked commercials, while continuing to polish up her standup act.  Hitting the chitlin circuit, stage plays, always grinding.  All of the hard work, dedication, eventually led to the role of ‘Gina Deveaux’ what initially was to be a one-time guest appearance on the super hot ‘A Different World’ show on NBC. Its popularity had started to level off, the director and producers, were looking for fresh faces, someone who had instinct, someone who could act, someone who brought ‘extraordinary’ to the table, In walks Ajai Sanders, with the gigantic smile, her young energy, of eagerness to please, to get the chance to shine, with an already fine oiled machine.  The chance to meet some of the greatest black actors and actresses (Diahann Carroll, Lena Horne, Jenifer Lewis, Josephine Premise, Patti Labelle, Phylica Rashad, Debbie Allen, Glenn Thurman, Roscoe Lee Browne). All of those thoughts energized her creative juices, she landed the part, which was expanded after director Debbie Allen proved impressed by the qualities Sanders brought to the character, those appearances, were expanded to five, that season and 18 the following season, next her names was added to the show's opening credits.  The natural flava that she brought to A Different World, helped to infuse the show’s notoriety again.  The new subject matters, now had depth, the show was taking political stands, social issues, addressing domestic abuse, which showcased another side of Ajai, a dramatic reading, played out beautifully, she left the audience once again, laughing, but also this time, she captured their emotions, when the ‘abuse’ episode aired, it wasn’t a dry eye in the house.  Praise was coming in from critics and the fans, all except love from her ‘co-stars’.  Sanders had to battle those demons in private, smiling on the outside, but hurting on the inside.  Her fellow actors with larger names, on the marquee, were not so kind, making her life a living hell.  False friendships, bullying, the conniving costars, cut her deep, the wreaking jealously never let up.  Then came the day when the curtains went down on “World” mixed emotions of, ebb and flow was apparent. With all things good, there’s an ending, A Different World was cancelled, NBC had moved on to other shows, though ‘World’ was still popular in the ratings, this was the first lesson in Television Politics that the young ingénue, would have to experience, understand and endure. ‘LIFE IS A FUNNY THING’!  It was a tough pill for the friendly genuine well intended comedian to swallow.

One door closes, another one opens, with King as her manager, with cohorts Foxx and Curry, Sanders felt that association was her family, for protection and nurturing.  She started auditioning, then landed a McDonald commercial, she made guest appearances on sitcoms Martin, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Parent 'Hood, The Wayans Brothers, Moesha.   One day Foxx called her with a character that he had written specifically for her called “Fancy, who would play opposite of Foxx himself, on a new show for the WB network entitled “The Jamie Foxx Show”  a show with a family of workers, where she felt comfortable and at home with.  Once again, the politics of Hollywood reared it’s ugly head, the WB had another actress already under contract, who seemingly had a bigger name, who got the role. It was out of Foxx and her manager Marcus King’s control.  I know you’re probably saying well if it’s ‘The Jamie Foxx ‘show, doesn’t he have a say; well doesn’t he?  Something in the water wasn’t clean, how much does one have to take, before you start to question, what is really going on.  Talk about a ‘LIFE IS A FUNNY THING’ wakeup moment.   Sanders dose of harsh reality was finally crystal clear.  Pulling on the strength of her talent, she hit the Comedy trail, once again, taking odd jobs, while still auditioning , she guest-starred in a 2001 episode of the Lifetime show, The Division. Sanders had a major role in the independent urban comedy, High Freakquency, in which she was credited as Ajai Richards. She had a smaller role in the Michael Keaton Christmas comedy, ‘Jack Frost’ and also appeared in the 2000 urban independent drama ‘The Playaz Court’.                 

Calling on her Higher power, the comedian, started to notice the fakery of Hollywood, intentionally hurtful things, where close-knit friendships came to a screeching halt, the wounds cut deep enough, for her to say to hell with the plastic Bureaucracy of Hollywood.  Leaving was the only option to save her sanity, she fell in love got married and moved away. 

Act II       

Some twenty years later, a painful Divorce, Sanders  left Texas and moved to Orange County, to get a hold of who she really is, accepting what she truly wants, so many Zen moments.  These days the phones has started ringing again from Hollywood.  All lessons learned were Cathartic tools to heal.  Today stronger than ever, with the help of the love of her life Christopher (her husband) of three years, she’s auditioning, taking meetings, shopping new shows.  Ajai Sanders ‘Jolivette, is surrounded by nothing but real, authentic and genuine people.  Stay tune the second coming of Ajai is here, fasten your seatbelts and get ready to be educated, and delighted once again to a new consciousness.   Her testimony is real, ‘Life IS A Funny Thing’ because laugher is still the best medicine.