Empowerment Series: Dominican Comedian, Writer and Producer, Glorelys Mora Shares the Tea with AW
Two of the most rewarding aspects of interviewing are the connection and inspiration that result from an exchange with a guest.
In November 2023, I attended the Morir Sonando Comedy Experience at Uptown’s United Palace in New York City. The Dominican Comedy Show offers a platform for rising POC comics and celebrates heritage. Comedian, Writer, and Producer, Gloreys Mora co-hosted the sold-out event with Sasha Merci. It was an epic moment for the Dominican community and everyone who worked to make this special night, possible. In the same year, she did the comedy circuits in New York and Los Angeles, performing at the New York Comedy Festival, and Hollywood Improv. The powerhouse is making moves and not asking for anyone’s permission.
Glorelys is a native New Yorker raised by Dominican immigrants in Washinton Heights. She is the real deal. Honest, humble, and doing the work to be the best human and perfect her craft. This vibrant Latina joined AW for an unfiltered conversation about family, the departure from the corporate world, her comedy, generational trauma, love, relationships, moving to Los Angeles, and everything in between. We connected instantly, as some of the parallels in our lives offered a sense of relatability helping the conversation flow, organically.
Her career began in a 9 to 5 job in corporate, far from the industry she thrives in today. She spent 8 years in the advertising industry then decided to leave after getting in hot water with Human Resources for too many comments about mercury retrograde! However, she has gotten the last laugh, using life experiences to create dynamic content related to nepotism, racism, astrology, and relationships. Glorelys is also giving a voice to women who may be feeling out of place.
How is Los Angeles treating you? Honestly, I am having a great time but like any other city, it has its ups and downs. I don’t have a car which makes my experience very challenging. I know that it’s a liberal city and diverse but anything outside of New York is always culture shock because we live, differently. Being a Latino in Los Angeles makes me realize how small the Dominican population is in America but we are important. I need to continue to have the Carribean experience. Sasha is a trailblazer and someone who is creating community here, which is the reason I decided to make the move.
You are not afraid of the hard topics in your comedy. Racism, white privilege, social injustice, micro-aggression in the workplace, the list is long! In a 2021 skit, you break down the 3 types of hoes – quiet, bougie, and dumb. In a time, where the world is so sensitive and we have a cancel culture. How do you decide what the boundaries are in your comedy? My parents wanted me to get an education and a corporate job. The expectation was to do the “right thing.” I did not have a blueprint. There weren’t a lot of resources but I knew that I had to do certain things to get ahead. Attending college, getting a job, and moving out of my parent’s home were part of their vision for me.
You can only take so much of doing the right thing before you explode. When I got into Marketing, the agencies that I was working for were very White. It was not a problem because I was taught to get the job done. However, the same things kept coming up for me at these jobs. I had to deal with comments about my hair (wet look, not straight), and some clients would not make eye contact. Only some of the issues that were encountered. One day, I just had it and didn’t care anymore about losing the six-figure job. It came to a point when I had enough. I was making the salary of my dreams and thought it would make me happy – it did not. I felt that I had to leave or I’d lose my mind.
What I love about being a comic is that you get to decide what you stand for. Of course, it’s a conversation you should have with yourself before taking the stage. I want to be honest without embarrassing my parents. If I say something, I stand behind it 100% but I try to be careful with some of the jokes. I don’t like to speak on something without doing my due diligence. Wouldn’t say something only for shock value and I’m always open to learning. This industry is such a masculine field. You have to own who you are and be confident. I’m used to being around powerful and independent women, as they’ve had to make difficult decisions, too.
As a Latina born in New York City and raised by Dominican immigrants myself, I connect with your standup. The content is real, raw, and relatable. In an interview with Ted Jones, you talked about managing internal battles and breaking cycles. It takes courage to do the work to get unstuck emotionally and mentally. When did you make your decision to start breaking cycles? In what ways did you begin to show up for yourself? I knew early on that I did not want a typical life, always questioning everything. Growing up in a Dominican culture is tough because people will go with the mainstream. If you veer off that path, you may be looked at like you’re crazy. Sometimes, I don’t feel Dominican enough and this is one of the reasons that the Morir Sonando lineup was so special. We are all Dominican and we are all different. It fills me with pride because you will find someone relatable to your unique experience.
You are working on being a better you. In 2019, my book “A Journey to Becoming the Best Self” was published. Since then, I have learned that this is an ongoing journey. I want to continue to learn, evolve, and become more of who I am. What does a better version of Glorelys look like? Thank you for asking that question. What I went through, helped me excel to a different level but now, I am at another level. From the outside looking in people may think, “You’re killin’ it. You moved to LA. You made it!” However, this is an entirely new exploration. I know that I’m able to be outspoken but how much is too much? I feel that a better version of myself is me, really loving myself. I’m in a great place where I own my past and the decisions made. I would love to learn to love my hair, for example. Physically, my weight gain has led to a state of pre-diabetes, I’d like to get to a place of more balance. As a woman, there is so much that I’m working on, and knowing myself is key. I want to get better at writing, storytelling, and my craft.
You did a show called Spill the Chisme. I’d like to play our quickfire version of it called Dish the Tea. No overthinking, just quick responses!
Last lie you told? “I have something to do, can’t do the party.” (Sometimes, I just have to rest. Can’t do it all.)
Bistec Encebollado o Pollo Guisado? Bistec Encebollado
Behive or Swiftie? Can I be in the middle? I am not in any fan group, like both.
Morir Sonañdo or Cafe Con Leche? Morir Sonañdo because of the brand but I can’t do without my coffee!
I agree with your take on Scorpios! What is your favorite Zodiac sign? Gemini? But some Pisces are great, others not so much. Love the Pisces people, it feels like I’m hangin’ out with glitter!
We like to end AW interviews with a quote, mantra, or piece of advice for our community. In an interview, you said, “The decisions you make today, change your future.” What decision did you make this year to change your future? Let go of the love of my life. I kept putting him first and myself, last.
What is one decision our community can make today to change their future? Stop waiting for permission to do something. Leave that relationship or start that business you have been thinking about. The answers to many of your questions are on Google and TikTok. No excuses.
AW is incredibly grateful to Glorelys for sharing her story and spilling the tea with our community. We will continue to cheer her on from the sidelines! Excited for the unpredictable and amazing adventures that are to come.
I grew up believing there was a one-way street to success and happiness. Our parents arrived in the US looking for the American dream or a better future. They laid out a plan for us that in their minds, would provide lifelong financial stability. Get an education then a stable job with benefits, vacation, and a 401K. Glorelys walked away from that ideal and carved her path. I embarked on a similar journey, as a creative entrepreneur. There is no one-size-fits-all. We should do what is in our hearts. It is far from easy and could be one of the hardest things we’ll ever do but the joy of creating without limitations outweighs any uncertainty waiting on the horizon. Stories like these are a reminder of the power we have to change the course of our lives at any point in time, no permission necessary.
To learn more about Glorelys, visit Instagram and TikTok @glorelysmora
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*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
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