Russell Peters was more than happy to stop to chat on the media-filled red carpet last night at the Right to Play Ball in Toronto, where he was a celebrity guest DJ and definitely just as “on” as he is on stage.
Here’s what we learned about the Canadian comedian and DJ…
He has a heart
Who says comedians lack compassion? We began by asking Peters about his involvement in Right to Play, an NGO that uses sport and play to empower children and youth in disadvantaged communities throughout the world. “I think we have the right to play ball in North America, and it is something that we take for granted,” he says. “Sure, I had the right, but I didn’t really take advantage of it, you know what I mean? There are plenty of kids around the world who don’t have the privilege to do something so normal that we take for granted. If there is anything we can do – I mean, there is only so much food we can give people – but if you give them some joy in something fun to do, it may even take them out of their dire situation. Sport gives people opportunity; all we are doing is giving people opportunity.”
He can kick your ass
We asked Peters if he played any sports himself. “I boxed for nine years, and I still train now and again,” he says. “What I love about boxing is that you can’t play boxing. You do it or you don’t do it.”
When he’s on stage, he’s trying not to fart
We wanted to know the most random thought Peters has when performing stand-up on stage, and he was quick to reply with a longwinded (no pun intended) answer. “Oh my god, sometimes when I’m on stage, I’m trying hard not to fart. It’s usually at times when I am at the clubs, which is gross because the audience is right in front of you. I have to fart, and in my head I’m like, oh my god, say something really funny really fast or you are going to shit yourself. Then you say something and it doesn’t get the big laugh and you are still like, oh my god, I am going to shit myself. Then the energy kicks up and you say something funny, and while they are laughing, you rip one – but I get concerned that the front row can smell it. Then you look at someone and go, ‘what’s wrong with you, what is that?’ and pass the blame.”
He laughs in the face of tragedy
Is Peters ever serious? “I don’t think there is a reason to ever be serious. I mean, there are times, but those are times where everybody is serious, you know what I mean? Actually, what am I saying, is those are the times where I am trying not to be serious. I’m a comedian, so we have a very dark sense of humour. The more wrong a situation is, the funnier it is to us. Like, take a tragedy – and we will never say any of these things on TV or on stage – but comedians all text each other the most obscene, foul things in these situations. It is horrible, but hilarious for us… but horrible if anyone ever found out. You can’t even imagine how foul it is.”
He comes home for the Jamaican food
When asked his favourite place in Toronto, he was all about the food. “I love coming to Toronto for Jamaican food. I really miss Jamaican food because you can’t get good Jamaican food in L.A. – there’s like four Jamaicans. So when I come home, I try to get some oxtail, rice, beans and beef patties.”
Peters went on to DJ the party, where he kept the dance floor packed all night with his classic favourites and very danceable beats.
To learn more about what went down at Right to Play, click here for the full event recap.
#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)
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