Sinem Kara, the new princess of Quebec humor

For the first time in Quebec, a woman of Turkish origin shines on the comedy scene. Increasingly popular since participating in the show The next stand-up, Sinem Kara will present his very first solo show at the Zoofest festival. Interview with a “tanned” woman who doesn’t have her tongue in her pocket.

Audrey Pilon Topkara
The Press

“I have a fairly corrosive sense of humor, but all in a party atmosphere », illustrates Sinem Kara, with sparkling eyes, during a meeting in the offices of The Press.

Born in Quebec to Turkish parents, the 32-year-old comedian has been juggling Turkish and Quebec cultures for a long time. After spending part of her childhood in Montreal North, she moved to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu around the age of 10, where her parents opened a pizzeria. This is where she experiences culture shock for the first time.

“It was the fateful moment when I really separated Turkey from Quebec. Montréal-Nord is very ethnic, very Turkish, then boom! Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, 100% Quebec. I experienced this contrast as an immigration. I learned about Quebec culture there,” she says.

Moreover, the theme of cultural differences is an integral part of his humorous material. Like an open book, she tackles, among other things, her relationship with her strict parents, the dynamics of a typically Turkish family, the weight of traditions, her marriage and racism, all with joy, without any taboos.

The one who defines herself as a real princess of the Middle East with a microphone does not hesitate to be sincere with the public during her numbers.

From actress to comedian

Caressing the dream of becoming an actress since the age of 4, Sinem Kara was selected for the auditions of the highly quota program in theatrical interpretation of the Lionel-Groulx college.

“My parents thought I was joking when I said I wanted to be an actress. They had concerns that it’s not a stable job, but I prepared them a lot and they didn’t stop me from getting started. »

The passionate artist, however, decided to change course when few interesting roles were offered to her upon leaving theater school in 2014.

“I loved being an actress, but I hated the fact of waiting after auditions for a cast to match my profile. I just had veiled woman roles for shows like A killer so close or terrorist roles. It seems that you always have to justify why someone is “tanned” on TV,” she confides, half-amused, half-discouraged.

Always attracted to the world of humor, she enrolled in evening classes at the École nationale de l’humour in 2016, an extraordinary experience that challenged her personal barriers, especially when it came time to present her numbers in bars.

Despite cultural and financial obstacles, his determination and his dream of becoming a key figure in humor have never been shaken. “You have to be a bit crazy to do stand-up. Yes, there are pitfalls and you have to make sacrifices, but the pawns in my life were well placed for me to do this job, ”she adds.

A very first solo

Just after her marriage in 2018 to the filmmaker of Turkish origin Onur Karaman, Just for Laughs hired her, then she went on to open mic evenings as well as galas.

Active in the world of humor for five years, Sinem Kara has experienced a real boom since its participation last year in the galas ComedieHa! by Rachid Badouri and Fabien Cloutier. She also distinguished herself at Laurent Paquin’s last Just for Laughs gala.

In addition, the public could get to know her more on the show. The next stand-up on Noovo airwaves in 2020.

Sinem Kara will tread the boards of the Monument-National on July 16 and 20 to present his very first solo show, where the public will be treated to new material. “There might be some baklava…” she says, smirking.

Tickets for the Sinem Kara show are on sale on the Zoofest website.