The King Of Comedy

GQ speaks to SA’s favourite homeboy and comedian Trevor Noah about taking up the mantle at The Daily Show, his new Netflix special and staying true to his roots

TREVOR NOAH HAS – OVER A MERE THREE YEARS – SOLIDIFIED HIS SPOT in popular culture since succeeding comedic powerhouse Jon Stewart as host of The Daily Show, one of America’s most revered late-night talk and news satire television programmes.Noah, now 34, was propelled into the global spotlight – and naturally, thrown to the wolves – when tasked to lead an American cultural institution. But amidst the scepticism that Noah would triumph, with scrutiny from Stewart stalwarts and TV critics alike, Noah found his voice, won over the viewership and successfully made it through one of the most historic election cycles in the US. Among numerous award nominations, The Daily Show under Noah now boasts a GLAAD Media Award, MTV Movie & TV Award and a Primetime Emmy Award, the latter adding to the show’s existing 24. Noah’s tenure has been confirmed through 2022.

And his influence extends far beyond just the show. He’s ‘in’ with the notoriously cliquey fashion crowd, becoming a regular at the ‘Oscars of the East Coast’, the Met Gala, and he sits front row at fashion week. Noah continues to perform live stand-up and has landed comedy specials with the likes of Comedy Central and Netflix. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2018.

Not since Charlize Theron has a South African managed to permeate the global entertainment industry to this degree. Trevor Noah has made it in America.

GQ: You’ve never shied away from being political and have said before that your comedy is often based on observing the landscape. Has that approach changed at all in the last few years?