Ola Labib, a Sudanese stand-up comedian and author, has used humor as a means to confront racism and bullying throughout her career. Born and raised in Portsmouth, England, Labib has risen from local open-mic nights to becoming the first Black Sudanese Muslim woman to perform at London’s O2 Arena, marking a significant milestone in her journey.

At 37, Labib continues to encounter racial prejudice, a challenge she says has intensified over the past few years, partly fueled by social media and anti-immigration rhetoric. Despite the ongoing discrimination, she channels her experiences into her comedy, often addressing trolls and detractors through viral videos that reach millions of viewers.

Labib’s memoir, *How Not To Lead A Double Life*, explores her upbringing in a strict but loving Muslim Sudanese household, the balancing act between her African roots, Islamic values, and British identity, and her path toward personal fulfillment. The book details her struggles with feeling caught between two worlds—never quite fitting the expectations of her family or fully belonging in broader British society. She recalls adopting the hijab at age 10, influenced more by the desire to emulate older peers at her Islamic school than by religious conviction.

School years presented challenges, including racial bullying. Labib remembers being the only person of color in her year and using humor as a defense mechanism to gain social acceptance and safety. Although a former bully recently reached out to congratulate her on a television appearance, Labib chose not to engage, reflecting on past hardships.

Initially pursuing pharmacy at Portsmouth University, Labib shifted her focus toward comedy, despite her mother’s disapproval and worries about family reputation. Her comedy career has since become a form of escape and therapy, especially in the wake of the civil war in Sudan three years ago, which caused her to pause performing and cope with depression. Fundraising events and small gigs helped her regain joy and purpose.

Labib’s recent success includes a semi-autobiographical comedy pilot, *The Pharmacy*, aired on Channel 4, inspired by her pharmaceutical background. Despite early concerns about community reactions, she found strong support when performing at the O2 Arena, with many embracing her as a representative voice for their community in the UK.

Living near her parents in Portsmouth with her husband, American rapper Ramey Dawoud (known professionally as Kashta), Labib values her cultural community’s support, even when audience members do not always understand her material. Looking ahead, she has several projects in development with major broadcasters and plans to write another book, highlighting the diverse opportunities open to her as a comedian and writer navigating multiple cultural identities.