Photo credit: Instagram @Tattoomanpaige
Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms. Before starting the day, the first thing many of us do is grab our phones, check missed notifications, and most importantly — our Instagram! A common reason for those morning Instagram scrolls is to begin the day with a great laugh. Daily, we come across hilarious comedy skits on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Periscope and Instagram. Fortunately, the skits are beneficial on both ends. Instagram has served as an outlet where many have started their journey to becoming successful comedians and entertainers, keeping viewers — even celebrities — watching, laughing and reposting. Nailing just about every subject on the head from relatable life scenarios and relationship issues, to just stand-up comedy, keeps us addicted to the skits.
Photo credit: Instagram @Tattoomanpaige
In a new series, rolling out will shine the spotlight on four driven and hilarious men from Detroit. These Instagram entertainers keep the jokes coming through your timeline.
Glen “TattooMan” Paige has blown up from using the Instagram platform to launch his talents. Paige is known for his celebrity impersonations of Denzel Washington, Katt Williams and Jay Z, voice overs, skits and stand-up. WIth 294K Instagram followers, he has gained popularity. He appeared on season seven of Nick Cannon’s “Wild ‘N Out” and he plans to expand his platform to movies and create his own comedy sketch show.
Check out Paige’s story that he shared exclusively with rolling out.
Tell us a little more about yourself? Where are you from?
My name is Glen Paige … I was born in Erie, Pennsylvania. My family moved to Detroit when I was four. I grew up some of everywhere, but I stayed the longest on Six Mile Road.
How did you get into comedy? Was this something you always wanted to do?
I’ve been funny my entire life, and people always told me I needed to be a comedian. But people say that all the time when you make them laugh. I never took comedy seriously. Like, I didn’t plan to do comedy. I started off doing music, then I figured I’d get off into comedy because I had a gift that many people didn’t possess— which was the impersonations. Then I stopped music to pursue comedy—it’s an outlet for my lyrics.
When and why did you start making Instagram skits?
When Instagram first started off it was strictly pictures, they didn’t have video. So I would post funny memes and get funny reactions. Then I was like “People don’t know that side of me just yet from doing music and tattoos,” they didn’t know me for the comedy. My first video I did was doing a Denzel Washington impersonation and that was the first time anybody saw me do a skit. It started flowing from that day forward. I’ve always had the capability of doing different voices.
Do you have a mentor in the comedy game? Who do you look up to? Who inspires your creativity?
I look up to Kevin Hart. I watched Kevin Hart grind, you know? Like from day one his elevation in the comedy game is like astronomical! He’s the number one comedian in the world, very consistent.
Everyone has a niche. What’s yours?
My niche is the ability to gravitate towards the new. By saying that, I mean whatever’s trending, I try my best to incorporate my kind of comedy into it. My kind of comedy is reconstructing things as far as the impersonations. I like to redo things in my perspective, just bringing new and fresh comedy by utilizing every aspect of comedy.
How did you discover you connected with people through laughter?
Just my interaction with people on a daily basis. I like to make everybody I come in contact with smile at least. I strive to make people laugh—bringing joy to people’s lives. When I started pursuing comedy I gave up a lot of things, personal training, cutting hair, tattoos. It was that serious because I know how far I can go with my gift. I know the possibilities.
Did you expect to be so successful at this stage in the game? How do you handle competition?
I expected to get this far, this was initially my goal. I think I’m in the route where I want to be. The only problem with my competition is, that I have to see him every single day, everytime I look in the mirror. That’s my main thing—I want everybody to prosper. Me not making it or me making it is not going to affect someone else. If you put in the same energy and same effort, eventually you’re going to get what you’re destined to get. I’m trying to get better everyday, better than I was yesterday … and tomorrow I’m going to try to be better than I was today. I’m my only competition.
You’ve appeared on Nick Cannon’s popular MTV show “Wild ‘N Out.” Tell us how that opportunity came about. Describe that experience. Can we plan to see you on another season?
They actually discovered me on Instagram for the impersonations. Niles Evans, a talent scout for “Wildin’ Out” wanted me for Season 7. The experience was great, I loved it, met a lot of great people. I only got a chance to do one show, because they do rotations so I really don’t have an answer to that. I’m still in contact with a lot of people from the show. Hopefully, you’ll see me there again soon.
What’s next for you? What projects are you working on? TV shows? Comedy shows? Movies?
Right now, I’m working on some movies, some pilots of my own, a series, my stand up— I’m working on a lot of things right now. I do stand up—I performed at the Shaq All Star Comedy Jam, I opened up for Tony Roberts last year for Sweetest Day, as well. I actually have a comedy show on a yacht in Miami this Sunday. I don’t necessarily seek fame or need it. I can get more pleasure out of reaching people and making people laugh. I get satisfaction from watching other people enjoy what I do.
There are plenty of other men who have the same platform as you on Instagram. Some of those men wear wigs or women’s clothing as a part of their skits. Do you feel that this is defaming a man’s character or it’s just all laughs and smiles?
I don’t feel it’s defaming anyone’s character. People have been doing it for years! My favorite comedians in the world Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence—they’ve worn dresses and wigs for years and they’re my favorite comedians. I don’t think of them as any less of a man; that’s just not my lane. My lane is impersonations.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Behind someone’s mic. In five years I see myself beside a large corporation like Disney maybe, doing cartoon voice overs, movies, and having my skits on TV. I really want to get into voiceover work more than anything. I want my voice to be everywhere—in commercials, puppets, everywhere. My voice is my power, it’s what I rely on.
Where can our readers find you?
You can find me on Instagram and Facebook at ‘Tattoomanpaige’!
Photo Gallery Credit: Instagram @Tattoomanpaige
