Politixia
Michelle Rider has always been able to find the humor in life and says she has her dad to thank for that.
Growing up in the small town of Pacolet, Rider and her father recognized humor through everyday scenarios which later sparked her passion to become a comedian.
“My dad was a truck driver and loved to come home and tell these dirty, Johnny jokes,” Rider said. “My dad would take me to go see Jerry Clower, and when he walked out on stage and be around people that were laughing was amazing for me. I wanted to do that when I grew up.”
Rider decided to chase that dream and became the Southern comedian known as “Shelly Belly” on TikTok. She made several skits featuring adult themes about women and relationships. Her skits were popular and she decided to try stand-up comedy and performed for the first time at the Comedy Zone in Greenville.
“I just told my husband that I wanted to go and do an open mic,” Rider said. “He looked at me like I was crazy, but all these funny things were in my head. It’s about my life, being a woman, what women go through and all these things that are relatable.”
From TikTok to ‘The Circle,’ social media boosts Rider’s career
Rider’s career began to kick off when her son arrived home from active leave in the Marines. Her son showed her a video that he made on TikTok, the social media app that allows users to create and share videos. Rider decided to check out the app and eventually reached a mind-blowing, 1.2 million followers.
“I did a video and said ‘Look, I have 200 followers!’ I thought I was something,” Rider said. “He looked at me and said ‘Mom, I have friends with 5,000 followers.’ Challenge accepted. I was laying in bed one night and I did a video about my neighbor, and it just blew up.”
Netflix’s hit reality show, “The Circle,” reached out to Rider, asking if she would be interested in auditioning. Next thing she knew, Rider was in the United Kingdom to compete in the show’s third season with other contestants to win $100,000.
“The Circle” is a social media-based competition where contestants live in the same apartment building but are never allowed to meet and must communicate online. The show is similar to “Big Brother.”
Rider was eliminated on episode three, but it didn’t bother her and she continued with her growing career as a comedian.
“When I say that I went on ‘The Circle’ as myself, I meant it,” Rider said. “The only benefit that came out of it was the [Netflix] logo and people recognizing me. I built my own brand and do everything on my own. I am thankful I had the experience, and it’s not really owed to anyone but God.”
The day before the show aired, Rider was laid off from her job at a distribution company. She was upset and trying to figure out her next steps, but her husband assured her that another door will open and she could continue to live her dream.
The bittersweet moment allowed Rider to focus on her dreams and further her career as a stand-up comedian.
The laughs that give back
Rider’s platform has allowed her to not only accomplish her dreams but to give back to the community and fans. She said charity benefits are some of her most enjoyable shows.
“I’m doing a fundraiser in Greenville at the Think Tank Brew Lab for ‘Just Say Something,'” Rider said. “I just got invited to do a benefit show in Georgia for domestic violence and child abuse. You do good for others and it will always come back to you.”
Rider said the help and support of fellow comedians have helped her comedy career. Brandon Rainwater, a South Carolina comedian, is not only one of Rider’s closest friends but is someone she considers a mentor.
“As a female, it’s really hard,” Rider said. “It’s the hardest business to be in as a female. He [Rainwater] actually gave me my first show and the opportunities when a lot of people wouldn’t. He’s an amazing person and an amazing comedian.”
Rainwater said Rider has both, the talent and the hustle.
“Her talent meets her hustle and not a lot of people can do that,” Rainwater said. “Shelly is definitely putting in the work, and she definitely has her vision board planned out. It just works out together.”
Rider recently announced she will be going on tour with comedian, Andrew Conn. The “Down Yonder Southern Tour” will take place on March 17-18 in Fort Worth, Texas. She also has tours scheduled with comedian Tanya Lee Davis.
Conn said he is excited about their upcoming tour together, and that their duo will make a shockwave.
“I think me and Michelle are gonna make a real good duo,” Conn said. “We both started out on social media and both now into the millions of followers. It’s crazy how two strangers can meet and talk and then, boom, you’re on together. I think we are going to make shockwaves in the standup comedy world!”
Rider will perform in Greenville at the Think Tank Brew Lab, located at 101 Airport Road, on May 4. To check out more tour dates, visit her website.
