Comedian’s Kamala Harris Impressions Go Viral

Comedian Allison Reese has captivated millions of internet users with her impression of Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris, thrust further into the national spotlight recently after President Biden withdrew from the race and endorsed her as his successor, has a distinctive manner of speaking that Reese has expertly mimicked.

Reese began honing her impersonation of Harris in 2019, releasing numerous videos over the past four years that showcased her ability to capture Harris’s unique diction and laughter. The videos often feature Reese donning a wig, suits, and pearls akin to Harris’s iconic style, as well as referencing well-known phrases such as the viral “We did it, Joe” call from 2020 when Harris informed Biden of their election victory.

Speaking to Reuters last week, Reese admitted that Harris’s laugh was the most challenging aspect to perfect. “Also, her cadence and the speech in which she speaks, I think, how much vocal fry and nasally it is, I would get real out of breath doing it,” she said, noting the extensive breath control required.

Since Biden’s endorsement of Harris, Reese has experienced a surge in popularity, gaining 40,000 new followers on TikTok. This has brought her total followers to over 254,000, with her videos amassing over 10 million likes on the platform.

In an interview with CNN over the weekend, Reese expressed her astonishment at the sudden boost in support. “It was like a cartoon with my jaw on the floor for a good, like, three minutes and just like in shock, it’s go time,” she shared. “Let’s do this, let’s make content.”

Harris’s signature phrases and laugh have sparked a flurry of social media memes and videos recently, with the Harris campaign and Democrats eagerly embracing this online enthusiasm.

Conversely, some critics have taken issue with Harris’s laugh, which she revealed last week she inherited from her mother. During an interview on “The Drew Barrymore Show,” Harris described how the women in her family would gather around the kitchen table, sharing stories and always laughing. This upbringing instilled in her a refusal to suppress her laughter.

“And I think it’s really important for us to remind each other and our younger ones, don’t be confined to other people’s perception about what this looks like, and … how you should act in order to be right,” Harris emphasized.

Reports have also surfaced that actress and comedian Maya Rudolph will reprise her role as Harris on “Saturday Night Live” following Harris’s new presidential bid announcement.

Source: Reuters and CNN