[EXCLUSIVE] Actress Bresha Webb Talks About SNL’s Black Women Showcase Audition: We were all honored.

It’s no secret, Saturday Night Live (SNL) lacks diversity, when it comes to African American women. A few months ago, the popular NBC sketch comedy show caught heat when Kenan Thompson (an African American male SNL’er) blamed a lack of quality black comediennes. He told TV Guide:

It’s just a tough part of the business, like in auditions. They never find ones that are ready.

Last month, the show featured actress Kerry Washington, who poked fun at the issue during a sketch where she had to play a variety of black women. Welp, it seems to be a new day. Last week, the show held an audition showcase featuring only African American women. In an exclusive interview with Jasmine BRAND, comedic actress Bresha Webb (‘Love That Girl’) discussed her experience, who was involved and why she considers herself ‘blessed’ for the opportunity. Check out our conversation below.

Jasmine BRAND: We saw your photo of some hilarious black women, who were comedians and actresses, auditioning for Saturday Night Live (SNL). How did that audition come about? 

Bresha Webb: The audition came about from an inside source from SNL. I don’t think any of us had a clue about the showcase until two days prior. It was an awesome opportunity even though it was such a short notice but, if you stay ready you ain’t gotta get ready and we were READY! Lol But we were all honored to be selected.

Bresha Webb: I found out that I was on a list of funny women in the industry and there was an opportunity for me to audition for SNL last summer but, I was filming “Love that Girl” and now the opportunity has represented itself.

Bresha Webb: I can share that we all entered the groundlings theater backstage having no idea what to expect. I had no clue who was apart of the showcase. Of course my Comedianne friends (Tiffany Haddish, Beth Payne & Gabrielle Dennis) were there. And some talented ladies in sketch comedy were there that I had never met. We were all very supportive of each other and there was no sense of competition or pettiness. We were just happy that some new black women in comedy were being considered and given a shot. We even held hands prayed after the showcase. It was refreshing. The show was also sold out. It was packed to the max.

Bresha Webb: Very true there hasn’t been a black woman on the show in a while however, I’m thankful to possibly be the one they’ve been looking for. Or waiting for.

Bresha Webb: Right now I have 22 more episodes of “Love that Girl” about to air on Tvone and performing in and around the Los Angeles area doing standup comedy. Working with Marlon Wayans with his Whatthefunny.com website creating content. I have a couple projects in development that I am executive producing as well.  I’m also writing new episodes and producing my web series #THISMYSHOW with my partner Anthony Rose.

My biggest lesson in 2013 is to trusting my gut and believing in myself because with God’s help I can accomplish and do all things. Hallelujah! Amen! Church!

Bresha Webb: My question to God would be do you have a gmail account and are you secretly Suri? If God is Suri I need to start being much nicer to that trick.

Follow me: @theJasmineBRAND on Twitter | theJasmineBRAND on Facebook | theJasmineBRAND on Instagram