These past two years tested me in unexpected ways — AY

Popularly known as AY, Ayo Makun is a Nigerian comedian, actor, radio and TV host, writer, producer, and film director. He started his career as a personal assistant to Alibaba Akporobome, a renowned Nigerian comedian, and eventually became a household name with his hit comedy show, “AY Live”. AY has also produced and acted in several movies, including “30 Days in Atlanta”, “A Trip to Jamaica”, and “The Wedding Party.” In this Interview, He spoke about the 20 years existence of AY Live, experiences shaped, Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and many other issues. SEGUN KASALI brings the excerpts.

Your 2026 Easter Show is themed ‘Against All Odds’.  What informed this?

 These past two years tested me in ways I never expected. I faced personal losses, public scrutiny, rebuilding my home after a fire, and rebuilding my brand and family life at the same time. It felt like life kept throwing punches nonstop. At some point, you either break or you build and I made a conscious decision to build. That is why the title Against All Odds is very personal. It stands for survival, faith and the stubborn determination to keep standing when everything around you says give up. Comedy has always been my therapy. I turn pain into punchlines and struggles into stories. This show is more than laughs. It is strength. It is testimony. Because everyone is fighting something quietly. For me, it is proof that you can fall, but you must never finish on the ground.

What’s been the highlight of your 20-year comedy journey, and how has your style evolved over time?

 Longevity has been my greatest highlight. It’s been over 20 years in the business. But almost 20 years of organizing AY Live without fading is not luck, it is consistency, reinvention and grace. When I started, comedy was raw and spontaneous. I was simply that guy telling jokes. Over time, I evolved into a storyteller. Today my comedy is more layered. It is observational, reflective and sometimes social commentary. I no longer just chase laughs, I chase connection. It is not only about making people laugh anymore, it is about making them laugh and think. To stay relevant, I listen and learn. I study the younger generation, understand social media trends and adapt to new humour styles and platforms. Comedy keeps evolving, and if you refuse to evolve with it, the audience moves on. I also keep creating in different spaces like live shows, films, YouTube and international tours. For me, relevance comes from constant movement. The moment you get too comfortable, you expire.

How do you stay relevant and fresh in an ever-changing comedy landscape?

I listen. A lot of older entertainers make the mistake of saying, “These new kids don’t know anything.” But I study them. I learn from Gen Z. I watch social media trends. I understand new language, new humour patterns, new platforms. Comedy evolves. If you refuse to evolve, the audience moves on. I also keep creating new formats. Live shows, films, YouTube, digital content, international tours. You cannot box yourself into one space. Relevance comes from movement. The moment you get too comfortable, you expire.

What’s been the most memorable moment on stage, and how did it shape your approach to comedy?

One moment I will never forget was performing shortly after going through very personal challenges, yet still standing in front of thousands of people who came to laugh. I remember looking at the crowd and realising something powerful: they didn’t come for my problems, they came for my strength. That changed everything. I understood that as a comedian, you carry people’s burdens for two hours. You give them relief. That is responsibility. Since then, every time I step on stage, I treat it like service, not just entertainment.

How do you balance pushing boundaries with respecting your audience’s sensitivities?

Comedy should challenge, but not disrespect. But these days we don’t even understand how some people react to us. There is a thin line between boldness and cruelty. I can joke about society, politics, marriage, culture, even myself, but I avoid punching down on people intentionally. I don’t believe in humiliating people just to trend. You can be intelligent and funny at the same time. I prefer clever humour over cheap shock value. That way, everyone laughs and nobody feels attacked.

READ ALSO: All my movies grounded in personal real-life experiences —AY Makun

What’s the biggest misconception people have about being a comedian, and how has it impacted your career?

People think comedians are always happy. They think because we make others laugh, our lives must be perfect. But comedians feel deeply. Sometimes we hurt more than everyone else. We just know how to hide it better. Also, many people think comedy is easy. They don’t see the writing, rehearsals, sleepless nights, production costs, brand battles, or the mental pressure of always needing to be funny. It is serious business disguised as laughter. Understanding that helped me treat my career more professionally, not casually.

What’s next for you – any new projects or tours on the horizon?

A lot is coming. AY Live continues to grow internationally. We are expanding across Europe and other regions. We are also building stronger digital content because the world has moved online. I am working on more films, and I am launching a dedicated YouTube platform for Nollywood style movies and premium content. I am also developing projects that celebrate African storytelling globally, including initiatives that spotlight young creatives. At this stage of my life, it is not just about my success anymore. It is about legacy. I want to continue to open doors for the next generation by using my platforms. Because if I could survive against all odds, then others should not have to struggle the same way.

Artificial Intelligence cuts across all sectors, including comedy. Are you looking towards this direction?

Yes, absolutely. I believe Artificial Intelligence is something every creative should pay attention to right now. Comedy has always moved with technology. We went from stage to TV, from DVDs to YouTube, and now digital platforms. So AI is simply the next phase. For me, it is not here to replace creativity, it is here to support it. AI cannot replace real life experiences or cultural storytelling. It cannot understand growing up in Warri or surviving Lagos hustle. That originality will always be human. But it can help with research, editing, planning, audience insights and making production faster and smarter. So yes, I am embracing it. If you want to stay relevant for twenty years like I have, you must evolve with the times. AI is just a tool. The talent, the humour and the heart will always come from AY.

You have impacted greatly a lot of comedians, what gives you so much joy maybe not plenty of money?

What truly gives me joy is not money, but impact. Seeing young comedians grow, succeed, and say I inspired or gave them an opportunity means more to me than any cheque. I know what it feels like to struggle, so creating platforms that help others shine brings me real fulfilment. Money comes and goes, but legacy and the lives you touch last forever. That, to me, is true wealth.

What international shows should we expect this year?

Last year’s AY Live tour was nothing short of mind-blowing, spanning nine incredible cities and creating unforgettable moments across borders. I was especially glad you experienced the London and Manchester editions firsthand. The energy, the turnout and the love were overwhelming. It was a powerful reminder that the AY Live brand is not just Nigerian, it is global. This year, we are raising the bar even higher. We are taking AY Live: Against All Odds on an international European tour, kicking off in Italy, then moving to France, Greece and several more cities soon to be announced. This is no longer just a comedy show. It is a celebration of resilience. A story of growth. A statement that the brand has truly gone global. Against every challenge, every setback and every doubt, we are still standing and now we are taking the movement to the world. Europe, get ready. AY Live is coming bigger, stronger and louder than ever.