As a gamer who’s had the privilege of witnessing the rise of comedic geniuses, I must say I’m truly astounded by Druski’s journey. From his humble beginnings in Gwinnett County, Georgia, to breaking Twitch records with Kevin Hart and Kai Cenat, it’s clear that this man is destined for greatness. He’s the embodiment of the saying, “If you can dream it, you can stream it.
Druski, a passionate fan of sketch comedy, has constructed his brand on the idea of “what might have been.” This is evident through projects like “Coulda Been Records“, a parody talent search show he started during Instagram Live sessions amidst the pandemic; the YouTube reality series “Coulda Been House“, which premiered in February with guest stars Snoop Dogg and Chris Brown; and Coulda Fest, his 17,000-person sold-out comedy and music festival held at State Farm Arena in Atlanta in September. However, contrary to these concepts, the comedian, known as Drew Desbordes in reality, doesn’t subscribe to the idea of “what might have been.
According to Druski, “There are no errors,” he contends. “Each occurrence unfolds as it should, and my entire life follows this pattern.
For the 30-year-old, his popularity on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram has skyrocketed due to his side-splittingly relatable skits that depict various scenarios such as airport mishaps, domestic squabbles, and sports obsession. His love for sports even landed him a role in an NBA and Google Pixel commercial last year, and he also established his own sports agency, 4Lifers, with Princely Umanmielen, a promising NFL draft prospect, as its first client. His internet stardom has reached a level of viral debate, with model Rubi Rose alleging that he paid her to publicly date him, an accusation he denies: “I don’t think I would ever require or buy publicity,” he states.
Among his supporters and newly acquired friends are several high-profile individuals: Odell Beckham Jr., who offered him a place to stay at his Los Angeles mansion for several months during the 2020 pandemic following his view of Druski’s initial sketches online; Drake, who invited Druski to feature in his music video for “Laugh Now, Cry Later” that same year; and Kevin Hart, who has taken on the roles of both mentor and comedic collaborator with the rising entertainer. In June, Druski’s joint Twitch livestream with internet personality Kai Cenat and Hart broke the platform’s North American viewership record, attracting over 712,000 simultaneous viewers.
Druski considers Hart as one of the few individuals he’s encountered who is willing to assist him with any queries regarding the industry, comedy, future plans, or past achievements. He praises Hart for his uncommon support towards younger comedians, stating that Hart is fully committed to helping him join the company he works with, and also coaching and mentoring him on how he can succeed in his career and personal brand.
Druski has followed the business strategies of famous peers by teaming up with brands like Nike, Beats by Dre, AT&T, and Mountain Dew. These partnerships enabled him to establish Coulda Been House, a show set for its second season in November under 4Lifers Entertainment, as well as the upcoming satirical relationship competition spinoff Coulda Been Love, scheduled to air on YouTube before Valentine’s Day. Druski finances everything himself and owns all intellectual property rights for any shows produced by his company. Looking ahead, he aims to strengthen his transformation from a comedian into a comedic actor.
2023 saw a native of Gwinnett County, Georgia, secure his debut acting role on Kenya Barris’ Freeform sitcom, “Grown-ish”. This opportunity came about after catching the eye of the show’s creator due to an introduction by one of their team members. As Barris puts it, there’s a certain “star quality” about him, an intangible factor that sets him apart. Often, industry professionals struggle to identify and nurture the next generation of talent. However, Druski has the potential to stand out as a rising star for this group given his strong commitment to his craft.
In the same year, Druski earned the starring role in the Peacock musical comedy “Praise This,” a part that was specifically chosen for him by producer Will Packer. “I often feel apprehensive about reaching out to individuals who have built their reputation mainly on social media,” acknowledges Packer. However, “Druski’s raw talent, his undeniable connection with the audience, and his vibrant personality piqued our interest. When Druski arrived for ‘Praise This,’ he ensured that we wouldn’t regret our decision in a moment. He was dedicated, eager to contribute, and by ‘contribute,’ I mean work hard. Not every person from that sphere delivers as expected, but Druski won me over.
Currently, Druski’s as-yet-unnamed show based on his airport skits is under development at Netflix, but he’s not sitting idle for opportunities to come his way. Recently, he filmed an unofficial trailer for a movie with comedians Shane Gillis and Theo Von, which they are trying to sell. While a TV show on a major network or streaming platform is the next ambitious step after the success of Coulda Fest, where acts like 21 Savage, GloRilla, and DC Young Fly performed – a feat he plans to replicate next year – Druski has no immediate plans to move to Hollywood. “Living in Atlanta keeps my comedic voice fresh,” says Druski. “I’m close to real life. With comedy, you can’t be too detached or too far removed from reality.
This tale was published in the October 9th edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To stay updated, consider subscribing here.
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2024-10-11 19:55