A brilliant and hilarious comedian from the West Side of Chicago, My Cousin Tiera, is riveting audiences across the country with her viral “Black Mama” video skits and sold-out stand-up performances.
Born Tiera O’Leary, she was raised in a larger-than-life home where she and her family navigated life’s ups and downs through storytelling, singing, and sharing jokes. These experiences served her well and prepared her for a career she never saw coming.
“I only had 1,000 followers when I first started. I never thought I would rise to the level I’m at now. [As of today, Tiera has more than 1.5M followers online.] However, after recording videos and staying consistent, it was my Spades video that went viral. It set the tone. And as a stand-up comedian, once you take off, you have to find your thing to keep your content rolling. And that’s exactly what I did.”
Tiera’s rise to fame as a comedian isn’t only credited to her funny antics, Black mama skits, and humor—it’s about her ability to embrace her genuine self and connect authentically with her audience. Using storytelling as the heartbeat of her stand-up performances, she resonates directly with her fans, especially when laughter is needed most.
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Tiera’s journey in comedy began in 2016 with the encouragement of her friends, who knew from the start that she had what it takes to make it in this business. Chicago Super Promoter, DoNskI encouraged Tiera, “Girl, you’re naturally funny! You should give it a shot.”After some thought, Tiera could not resist the urge to perform on stage. During an open mic night at Bar 10 Doors, DoNskI took the stage to host “Da Funny People” with destined legend Leon Rogers, and she did just that. Little did Tiera know that that moment would forever change the trajectory of her life.
Her debut was a laugh-out-loud, 42-minute performance filled with authentic storytelling. Reflecting on that moment made her laugh as she recalled how satisfying it was to receive the magnificent applause.
“When I got ready to go up, Comedian T Murph came in, who was blowing up at the time. I was bumped and unable to perform. The following week, DoNskI created a flyer promoting my premiere, and it was packed from front to back. I went on stage, and at the time, I didn’t have a formula, but I was naturally funny and performed for 42 minutes on my first try. The audience gave me love.”
It was Tiera’s first taste of sharing her gift on stage, and she was hooked.
Since 2017, she has committed herself to her craft. Performing every week for the first few years helped her hone her comedic voice and create a deep connection with her audience. Constantly drawing on her upbringing, Tiera uses humor to develop colorful characters and stories, creating a unique persona and style that appeals to her audience. Tiera’s inspiration, specifically with her “Black Mama” skits, stems from her dad, who primarily raised her and taught her about life through love and laughter.
“A lot of people don’t know this, but my dad inspires the Black Mama skits; he spent most of the time in the household raising me, as my mother was a nurse and worked long hours. So, a lot of the content is inspired by my dad. My dad taught me how to wash clothes, fold fitted sheets, and fry chicken. And my dad was raised by his mother, my late grandmother. These skits are stories that are relatable no matter if you’re Black, white, or any race.”
“I come from a family of entertainers. My entire family sings. I sing. My dad sings. My siblings sing. Entertainment has always been a part of my life. But unbeknownst to me, comedy was the thing that took off.”
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Tiera’s signature greeting, “Hey Cousins!” signifies her authentic connection with her audience and emphasizes the shared bonds that unite us all.
Tiera’s “Black Mama” viral videos showcase the universal perspectives of everyday living between Black mothers and their children.
No matter what part of the Chi (west side or south side).
No matter what part of the country or world you’re from, you can relate.
And these videos are laugh-out-loud funny.
They quickly gained popularity, solidifying Tiera’s status as one of our beloved figures in the comedy game. Tiera’s comedy has become a source of comedic comfort, illustrating what has already been true for the Black Community:
Comedy brings people together and strengthens our social ties and communities. It also provides a platform for Black voices and perspectives to be heard. And Cousin Tiera’s brand of comedy is certainly being recognized now.
Her talent has caught the attention of comedy legends like Cedric the Entertainer. Queens of Comedy Legend, Mo’Nique offered solid advice: “Baby, I heard you’re a beast on stage. When you go out there, don’t worry about people. Do you! Go out there every time and be yourself!”
Tiera has taken heed of Mo’Nique’s sage advice and that of many greats, and it’s paying off.
In preparing for her shows, Tiera has a ritual. She calls her cousin, whom she says has a personal relationship with God, and asks her to pray for her. Through these calls, Tiera feels grounded before each performance and calms her jitters before she steps onto the stage.
“My nerves are bad before each show, but I enjoy the nerves,” she admits. “Other comedians have told me, ‘If the nerves are gone, it means the excitement is gone.”
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For Tiera, that excitement fuels her love and passion for comedy, transforming her anxiety into an exhilarating performance.
The affirmation of Tiera’s efforts in this industry has come in waves. After a sold-out performance on Mother’s Day 2023 at the Harold Washington Cultural Center in Chicago, Tiera was emotionally overwhelmed with gratitude.
“It was so overwhelming. I’m a crybaby. After I finished my set and everyone in the audience stood up to give me applause and threw flowers on stage, I went backstage and cried for about 40 minutes. I felt like it was official, They Like Me!”
It was a moment she’ll never forget—a representation of the bond she’s built with her audience.
Many comedians have praised Tiera for her talents, including Emmy-winning actor and Original King of Comedy Steve Harvey. Harvey nicknamed Tiera “the female Bernie Mac,” a title Tiera humbly embraces with pride. “It’s the biggest honor of my life,” she said. Tiera aspires to honor the legacy of great comedians who have paved the way and have come before her.
Her journey hasn’t been without its share of challenges.
While juggling comedy with her previous job as a certified nursing assistant, she found inspiration in the insanities of her work. “In the medical field for 11 years, you see some crazy stuff on third shift,” she said. During those late-night shifts, Tiera leaned on her humor to get her through and also used it as a coping mechanism, helping her showcase those surreal moments usually overlooked by many.
And there were the early days, almost a decade ago, when her skits and content didn’t gain traction online, and she didn’t get that many views.
Tiera persisted, and eventually her hard work paid off. One video, in particular, caught the attention of Steve Harvey’s morning radio show a few years ago, propelling her career forward in the best way.
Other series like “Fact Friday” and “New Math,” showcased Tiera’s brilliant humor and relatability. “Every video is a reflection of life as I know it,” she emphasizes, doubling down on connecting with her audience through shared experiences.
Sharing the stage with comedians she loves and respects, such as Melanie Camacho, Just Nesh, and Mojo Brooks, Tiera understands the importance of collaboration. She is also committed to opening doors for other female comics, like fellow Chicagoan, MReld Green, who opened up for Tiera while on the Family Reunion Tour. Her dedication to uplifting other comedians, specifically female comics, speaks volumes about her belief in the power of community and shared success.
As Tiera looks to the future, she has many aspirations, including preparing for her one-hour Netflix special this summer.
Tiera O’Leary and Inez Woody
She’s currently in the process of securing distribution and a future partnership with Tyler Perry, which will elevate her comedic storytelling to a worldwide audience. “I want to reach people everywhere with my comedy,” she said matter-of-factly.
Additionally, Tiera dreams of collaborating with legendary comedians such as Jamie Foxx, Sommore, and even Jim Carrey.
More than just a comedian, Cousin Tiera is a storyteller and a cultural ambassador for Black humor. She is a beacon of hope for aspiring comedians. She continues to build her empire and legacy on the global stage. Tiera reminds us that laughter is not just an escape, but a lifeline that connects people from all walks of life. Her journey is one built on authenticity, resilience, faith, and the unwavering belief that even amid chaos and conflict, laughter keeps us connected.
Tiera’s success and story are a reminder that our roots can take us to unimaginable heights.
Representing a new generation of comedians making their mark, Cousin Tiera has shown us that if we simply believe in ourselves and understand that what binds us are the things we have in common, whether good or bad, we can achieve great things.
As she puts it, “At the end of the day, it’s all about love, family, and a good laugh. That’s what connects us all.”
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