Titi Lee Talks Comedy, Identity, and Raw Realities on Checkitow

A brand-new episode of Checkitow is out on LatiNation featuring none other than comedian Titi Lee! In this episode, Humberto Guida sits down with Titi for a conversation that’s equal parts hilarious and touching, covering everything from their comedy career to deeply personal life experiences that shaped who they are today.

Comedian Titi Lee opens up about their comedic and gender identity on Checkitow

Titi Lee, an Emmy-nominated children’s TV writer and stand-up comedian, has performed nationwide at festivals like Limestone Comedy, Laughing Skull, and SF Sketchfest. They’ve appeared on hit shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm and Girls5Eva and written for popular children’s programming. But stand-up comedy is where their heart lies. “I got into standup after a breakup… I’ve been doing this for over ten years now. I think this is my 13th year,” Titi recalled during the conversation. “I studied screenwriting at NYU, and I always wanted to be a writer. I guess I have always been a writer, just in different capacities.”

titi lee

In this episode, Titi opened up about their comedy journey, starting with how growing up in the Bay Area influenced their perspective, even though their stand-up career didn’t take off until they moved to New York. “I’m from the Bay. I’m from South Bay. Went to school in New York, and then I’ve been out here since 2015,” Titi shared.

But they admit that their comedic identity is more tied to New York than San Francisco. “I would consider myself a New York comedian because I started standup out there… There is a difference. San Francisco comics… there’s a lot more storytelling, a lot more intellectual humor. New York… it’s a lot more like tighter punchlines, set-up punchlines, your kind of jokes per minute.”

Titi’s journey through the world of comedy didn’t stop in New York. After moving to L.A. following the unexpected death of their brother, they transitioned to become a part of the local comedy scene. Titi explained how this move shaped their life and career. “When my little brother passed away… it was a tough time. I came out here, essentially nobody… But it helps a lot that I started in New York, because I had people who I started with who kept going, and I’d go back every year and do shows there. I was able to keep up, and that gave me the confidence to make L.A. my new home.”

The conversation turned personal when Titi talked about navigating their non-binary identity both on and off stage, especially in their solo show Good Girl Gone Baddie. The show is a reflection of Titi’s complex relationship with gender and performance, from growing up in a more traditionally feminine role to embracing drag and their masculine side.

“I only recently came out as non-binary in comedy… The show’s called Good Girl Gone Baddie, and it speaks to that experience… I was in a sorority, and there are parts of me that still love that VIP, bottle-service lifestyle, but it’s a performance. And now, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized I can be both. Sometimes I feel more in the middle.”

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Titi also talked about the challenges of navigating the comedy world as a non-binary comedian and finding their voice in an industry that often tries to box performers into categories. “Sometimes people see me and think, ‘Oh, you’re this hyper-femme woman,’ but I’ve come to express that I’m more than that. There’s a very masculine side to me, and I’ve been more open about that in comedy, especially when I do drag.”

One particularly funny part of the episode was when Titi talks about their twin sister, who is a musician and leans into a more feminine persona. “My parents didn’t pray hard enough. I’m a comedian, and my twin is a musician,” Titi joked, adding that their parents, while more traditional in their views, have come to support their careers. “I came out to my dad as non-binary… It’s a whole joke in my show. In Chinese, pronouns just aren’t the same thing. So for him, it’s like, ‘You’re my daughter,’ and I’m like, okay, sure. But at the same time, they’ve come to my shows, and they’re excited about what I’m doing.”

Titi also discussed their upcoming documentary, Fuzzy Pictures, which explores the process of directing sex scenes in Hollywood. They’re pulling back the curtain on the whole process, from hiring professional intimacy coordinators to getting hands-on as a director.

“I love these movies, and I think intimate scenes can add a lot to the story… I want to be an ethical consumer of sex scenes… instead of going about it with all these question marks, why don’t I just show the whole process and put myself in the shoes of someone on screen?”

Titi’s honesty, wit, and unique perspective make this episode of Checkitow a must-watch. From their early days in New York to their current life in L.A., you’ll hear stories that are equal parts hilarious and moving. Tune in to hear Titi Lee talk about their comedy career, life experiences, and upcoming projects, with plenty of laughs, real talk, and wisdom along the way!