By Anthony Miles —
Roi Rivera was always the class clown, though he never thought comedy would be his career. Better known by his stage name, Vince Royale, the former NJCU marketing major turned “Funniest Comedian in Southern California,” has been performing in Los Angeles hot spots and New York night clubs for the past four years. When asked why he decided on the name change, he laughed and said “to be discreet and to avoid having to make student loan payments.”
Royale is extremely down-to-earth and full of charisma and he has an uncanny ability to turn the things he sees into world class jokes. He is humble and says that his passion for comedy and ability to do what he loves in front of an audience is indeed a blessing.
Royale will be the first one to tell you that his success with comedy truly happened by accident. After a few cocktails with a group of friends at a local California bar, Royale swooped on stage at an open mic and made everyone laugh out loud. He was so funny that the club’s owner invited him to come back the very next week to perform in a comedy contest. Royale agreed to do the show; it’s a good thing he did because he won.
“I followed my passion,” Royale explained. “My mom wanted me to become a doctor, but I couldn’t stand the sight of blood.”
It’s a good thing he chose comedy over surgery because after only four years performing stand-up, Royale has already shared the stage with a number of well-known comedians that include Louis C.K., Jim Gaffigan, and Martin Lawrence. However, it was comedian Tommy Davidson that inspired him to take his act to the next level. Royale says that he was doing at least three shows a night, up to five days a week when he met Davidson at “Improv” in California. He asked the former In Living Color star what else he should be doing to further his career. Davidson, sharp-tongued, proclaimed, “Do it seven days a week.”
Royale took his advice and has been performing comedy non-stop ever since.
Vince iterated that, “[Comedy] becomes a muscle… the more you exercise that muscle, the stronger it becomes.”
Royale was proactive at NJCU, always involving himself in campus affairs. While working to obtain his degree, he was a host on NJCU’s radio station and VP of Activities with SGO, all while working with Sony’s Distribution Department. His marketing background definitely plays an integral role in how he promotes his comedy act. He says that it helped him to apply what he learned in the classroom and gave him an opportunity to be more hands-on behind the scenes.
Royale also particularly stressed the importance of networking, adding value to yourself, and building relationships with others. He currently runs his own website, has three Facebook pages where he promotes his shows, and posts his thoughts frequently on his twitter account.
“I’ve always been a fan of guerilla tactics to create my own opportunities. If one club didn’t let me perform, I’d try and find another venue that would let me produce my own show,” says Royale.
Royale who just moved back home to Jersey City from California is happy to be back in the city where he grew up. He insists that “It’s like transferring to a new high school.” He pointed out that the main difference between California and New York comedians is that in Hollywood, comedians are trying harder to get into acting while comics in New York are here to work on their stand-up. Rivera, himself is no stranger to acting, having had a guest spot on VH1’s Celebrity Rehab and a small role in an independent film called “Lizard Man,” due to premiere on the Sci-Fi Channel.
Royale’s way of making people laugh truly sets him apart from his West Coast counterparts. However, he believes he has not truly made a name for himself until he has his own televised special on Comedy Central.
Though Royale is always back and forth on the road doing shows, he is still in touch with what goes on in Jersey City. He says he would like to get more involved in the community by creating a program to help local neighborhoods that are being neglected by local politicians. “There is so much violence and shootings. People should feel safe in their neighborhood,” said Royale.
Royale can find laughter in everything that happens to him. He recalls that he left to do a show in Nevada and five days later he received a call from his roommate, who asked, “Where have you been? There are dishes in the sink.” He was amused and jabbed, “I’m in Nevada. I’ve been gone for five days and you’re worried about the dishes? I could’ve been kidnapped.” He then went on to say that he’s single, but it’s because women won’t date a guy with a job that doesn’t carry health insurance.
He then proceeded to offer a bit of advice to any student looking to make it big in Hollywood ushering that “show business is a tough business and there is a high level of competition. It’s not for everyone.”
Royale is truly an inspiration to never give up on your passion.
Currently, Royale is working on a documentary detailing his life on and off the stage. He is collaborating with a filmmaker Andre Sandoval who has over 70 hours of footage of the comedian doing stand-up across the country. It also offers a look into the life of the comedian when he’s just being Roi.
In the future, he hopes to be able to come back to NJCU and perform for students and alumni. “I accomplished a lot in life, but performing at my alma mater would be a real honor,” he exclaimed.
Check out his weekly podcasts on Wednesday nights!
For booking info, visit:
www.vinceroyale.com
www.facebook.com/vinceroyalemusic
www.facebook.com/vinceroyalefanpage
www.twitter.com/VinceRoyale
www.youtube.com/vinceroyale
