The Next Big Names in Comedy: 10 Rising Stand-Up Comedians to Watch in 2025

Stand-up comedy is in a new golden age. Thanks to social media, podcasts, Netflix specials, and viral moments, fresh voices are being discovered at a faster pace than ever before. These rising comedians of 2025 are not just riding the wave; they’re reshaping the future of stand-up itself.

Some are already playing theatres, others are still shaking hands after bar shows, but all of them have the talent and buzz to blow up in 2025.

Let’s meet the next big names in comedy.

🎤 1. Zarna Garg (USA/India)

Zarna Garg is proof that there’s a global audience hungry for comedy that reflects immigrant life, culture clash, and mother-in-law drama. A former lawyer turned stand-up late in life, she won the Ladies of Laughter competition and went viral with her Indian mom bits on TikTok. Her Amazon Prime special One in a Billion earned praise for its clean but cutting humour, a rare combo that makes her accessible and sharp. In 2025, she’s headlining international tours and working on a sitcom deal.

Why she’s on this list: She’s tapped into a massively underserved demographic with honest, hilarious material — and she’s just getting started.

🎤 2. Daniel Sloss (Scotland)

Daniel Sloss isn’t exactly new, but 2025 is giving him a second wave. His two Netflix specials, Dark and Jigsaw, reached millions, with Jigsaw rumoured to have “ended 100K relationships” because of its emotional gut punch. Sloss blends dark humour with clever philosophy, making him a favourite among thinking millennials. His global tours are now hitting new countries, and his upcoming book-comedy hybrid has critics curious.

Why he’s on this list: Smart, edgy, and emotionally raw — he’s converting viewers into lifelong fans.

🎤 3. Ramy Youssef (USA/Egypt)

Ramy first broke out with his award-winning Hulu show Ramy, but in 2025, he’s shifting focus back to stand-up, and it shows. His recent HBO special blended religion, race, and mental health in a way that felt both intimate and laugh-out-loud funny. Ramy’s strength is his ability to take deeply personal material and make it relatable across cultures. With his new podcast and a fresh tour, he’s regaining spotlight on the stage.

He’s also a favourite guest on smart, comedic podcasts, many of which made our list of the top stand-up comedy podcasts to follow in 2025.

Why he’s on this list: He bridges storytelling, stand-up, and cultural identity like few others in comedy.

🎤 4. Anjelah Johnson-Reyes (USA)

Anjelah went viral early in her career with her “Nail Salon” character, and while that gave her a massive audience, she’s evolved into so much more. Her recent special Say I Won’t showed maturity, range, and the ability to tap into marriage, faith, and heritage without losing her punchline flow. She performs clean but never corny — a rare skill. In 2025, she’s growing her podcast, touring with her husband, and becoming a go-to name for family-friendly stand-up that still hits hard.

Why she’s on this list: A seasoned comic having a fresh career wave with substance and reach.

🎤 5. Josie Long (UK)

Josie Long is a beloved figure in the UK’s alt-comedy circuit. Whimsical, sharp, and politically aware, she’s been nominated multiple times for the Edinburgh Comedy Award. Her storytelling feels like a Ted Talk collided with a hug and a punchline. In 2025, she’s expanding into North America with her new show Re-Enchantment, and fans are finally catching up to her niche brilliance.

Why she’s on this list: Quirky and insightful, Josie is the voice for those who love comedy with a brain and a heart.

🎤 6. Lara Ricote (Mexico/Netherlands)

Lara Ricote is redefining multilingual stand-up. Born in Miami, raised in Mexico, and based in the Netherlands, she blends English, Spanish, and Spanglish into a style that’s deeply personal and globally relatable. After winning the prestigious Funny Women Stage Award and gaining traction with her Edinburgh Fringe set, Lara is becoming a favourite on international comedy circuits. Her material explores disability, identity, and being the odd one out, all with warmth and razor-sharp timing.

Why she’s on this list: Lara Ricote represents where stand-up is going: personal, bilingual, and boundary-pushing.

Lara proves that small rooms and sharp writing can still launch global careers, just like the stars in our roundup of comedians who went from open mic to millionaire.

🎤 7. Sydnee Washington (USA)

A fearless comic who can destroy on stage and on a mic, Sydnee is known for her podcasts The Unofficial Expert and Hobby Hunter, but her stand up is next level. Her material about dating, queerness, race, and NYC life is delivered with electric charisma. In 2025, her Comedy Central set continues to rack up millions of views, and she’s reportedly working on her first special.

Why she’s on this list: Bold, hilarious, and already a cult favourite, she’s just one special away from breakout fame.

🎤 8. Ricky Velez (USA)

Ricky Velez came up through the NYC circuit and gained attention as a writer and performer on The King of Staten Island with Pete Davidson. He’s gritty but likable, often diving into gentrification, class, and growing up with a chip on your shoulder. His HBO special Here’s Everything flew under the radar but built a cult following. With Apatow backing and new projects coming, Ricky’s mainstream moment is close.

Why he’s on this list: He’s authentic, hungry, and hitting his stride on both stage and screen.

🎤 9. Aditi Mittal (India)

Aditi is one of India’s original female stand-up stars. Her Netflix special Things They Wouldn’t Let Me Say was groundbreaking, and she’s since become a voice for feminism and humour in South Asia. She blends social commentary with sarcasm and is increasingly appearing on global panels, podcasts, and international tours. 2025 marks her largest North American presence to date.

Why she’s on this list: Global comedy needs more voices like hers — fearless, hilarious, and overdue for worldwide attention.

🎤 10. Robbie Collins (South Africa)

A favourite opener for Trevor Noah and a star in his own right, Robbie is bringing African comedy to global stages. His delivery is smooth, and his content — from race to travel to awkward fame — hits home with international audiences. His recent Edinburgh Fringe appearance gained rave reviews, and his 2025 tour is extending across Europe and Canada.

Why he’s on this list: A rising voice from Africa who’s cracking through comedy’s global ceiling.

🌍 Final Thoughts About Rising Comedians 2025

The future of comedy isn’t just in sold-out arenas or late-night TV — it’s in small clubs, social feeds, and international stages. These comedians are proving that talent, hustle, and a killer mic presence can still break through in a crowded world.

If you’re looking for fresh laughs or future headliners, these are the names of rising comedians 2025 to remember.

🎤 Want to take the mic yourself? Check out our guide on how to perform at a comedy show for the first time. It might just be your turn next.

Post by Eddie Case, exclusively for Comedyville.com, All rights reserved.
Comedyville is a Comedy Club located in Downtown Montreal.