Jessica Holmes
Jessica Holmes’ hilarious take on life’s challenges has audiences in stitches
Topic Categories:
- Comedian
- Author
- Mental Health Advocate
*Fee ranges are presented as a guideline only. Speaker fees are subject to change without notice. For an exact quote, please contact your Speaker Exchange Agency representative.
Beloved comedian Jessica Holmes has been a perennial favourite on Royal Canadian Air Farce for 15 years, and has brought the house down opening for giants such as Ellen DeGeneres, Russell Peters, Jerry Seinfeld, and Oprah Winfrey. Her hilarious take on life’s challenges as well as her unique knack for skewering celebrities (including Nikki Minaj and Celine Dion) have audiences in stitches. Her customized emcee and entertainment presentations — which include motivation and wellness — are always a hit.
Behind the laughter though, Jessica — like millions of Canadians — has struggled both with post-partum depression and, as she puts it, “regular, run-of-the-mill, garden-variety depression”. Hoping to help end the stigma around mental health issues, she openly shares her personal stories with the humor she’s known for, bringing light — and laugh-out-loud laughter — to what can often be a dark topic. Jessica’s funny and inspiring new book, Depression The Comedy: A Tale of Perseverance was published in May, and takes readers deeper into her mental health journey with validation and warmth.
As a performer, Jessica’s productions have garnered her a “Platinum Award” at The Worldfest International Film Festival, and nominations for Gemini Awards and the prestigious Tim Sims Scholarship. She stars in her own program, The Holmes Show, and has also starred in the films Welcome to Mooseport, Citizen Duane, and Moonpoint. She recently appeared in the pilot for The Communist’s Daughter, which won the JFL ComedyPro competition this summer, and continues to perform comedy across the country.
The secrets of success are the same no matter what business you’re in, and success begins with getting motivated. Inspiration and comedy unite in this 60-minute transformational presentation from “I should…” to “I will!”.
Energizing and funny, Jessica’s call to action combines her trademark character comedy with quirky anecdotes to deliver motivational insights into:
- finding greater meaning in your work
- using positive psychology to be happier day to day
- setting and reaching your goals
- learning to laugh at life’s shortcomings
Jessica gives quick, achievable “how to’s” about these topics and more, in a laugh-out-loud hour of fun. The audience receives introspective takeaways to guarantee that Jessica’s presentation makes a meaningful impact.
A few years ago, inspired by her own recovery from depression, Jessica trained as a wellness coach and re-committed her life to discovering what creates lasting balance and fulfillment. In this funny and inspiring presentation, Jessica shares hilarious and meaningful personal anecdotes about career, family, stress and mental health to help others reignite their spark.
Jessica presents her insights in a funny, interactive way, that is rarely seen on stage, complete with songs and impressions. She discusses the latest discoveries in the field of positive psychology, how to turn your embarrassments into punch lines, and measurable ways to achieve greater fulfillment and happiness in work and life. It’s the perfect mix of comedy and wellness. Audiences are motivated to set the bar higher for their personal happiness.
This is a frank and hilarious account of how it took Jessica Holmes two years to get diagnosed as depressed. It started small: she resented “fun stuff” like girls night out, developed a loathing for words like “wellness,” and avoided foods that promised to prolong her life. Even when she yawned her way through an emceeing job for Oprah Winfrey it didn’t sound any alarms for her.
In the nearly two years that she transitioned from “cheerleader” to “zombie”, she hadn’t taken stock of how far she had veered from her ideal life of fulfilment and gratitude.
Jessica’s story, which has a deeply happy ending, relates to anyone who has ever been on a downhill trajectory, whether with health, relationships, or career, who forgot to stop and ask “where am I?” She weaves comedy, characters and music in and out of the presentation to bring levity to a serious subject. She has written about her experience with depression and anxiety in her humorous new book, also called Depression The Comedy.
As a former cast member of the Royal Canadian Air Farce and the writer and star of her own sketch comedy series, The Holmes Show, Jessica Holmes honed her ability skewering celebrities like the larger-than-life Céline Dion, Michael Jackson and Britney Spears.
With a flurry of wig changes, Jessica brings her talents to the stage in this interactive mix of stand up comedy and music, including topical jokes and audience interactions guaranteed to delight any crowd.
Whether in English, French, or a mix of the two, Jessica Holmes provides a performance filled with great off-the-cuff moments and interactions with the audience.
Through researching your company in advance of the big day, she’s able to custom tailor her show and incorporate your company’s needs into her performance.
Weaving her comedy in and out, Jessica maintains a great pace throughout the event, never losing sight of the bottom line: it’s your special event, and it deserves to be extraordinary.
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