Today we’d like to introduce you to Fadziso Chikonyora
Hi Fadziso , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Harare, Zimbabwe, but I grew up in a small town called Marondera. My journey really started there — in a close-knit community where I spent my early years balancing school, sports, and performance. I attended Peterhouse Boys School, where I was heavily involved in drama, music, and sports. While I excelled in activities like rugby and cricket, it was during those school productions that I first realised how much I loved making people laugh.
I started creating comedy videos as a teenager — just funny skits to entertain my friends. What started as a hobby quickly became something I was deeply passionate about. Over time, my videos gained traction, and I realised that comedy wasn’t just something I enjoyed — it was something I wanted to pursue seriously.
After high school, I moved to South Africa to attend the University of Pretoria, where I completed a Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology and Pharmacology. While my degree gave me a solid foundation, I knew deep down that comedy was what I really wanted to do. That passion is what ultimately brought me to the United States — specifically to Texas, where my family now lives in Plano.
I’m here because I want to pursue comedy at the highest level. To better equip myself for that journey, I’m also planning to attend acting and performance art school in New York. I believe honing my craft through formal training will give me the skills I need to perform at my best. The U.S. — especially cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago — has been home to some of the greatest comedians to ever do it. Icons like Richard Pryor, Dave Chappelle, and Kevin Hart have all performed in legendary venues like The Comedy Store, The Laugh Factory, and the Apollo Theater. Being in this environment, where comedy thrives, is a huge motivator for me.
Ultimately, I’m driven by the desire to connect with people through humour — to make them laugh, think, and feel. Comedy has always been my way of processing life, and my goal is to build a career that allows me to share that with as many people as possible.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road hasn’t been smooth at all — it’s been filled with challenges that have tested me in so many ways.
One of the biggest struggles has been dealing with visa issues. Moving from Zimbabwe to South Africa for university came with its own complications, and the process of getting to the United States was equally tough. Each step felt like a constant battle — endless paperwork, delays, and uncertainty.
On top of that, my mental health has been a huge struggle. While I’m proud to have completed my degree, spending so many years studying something that didn’t inspire me took a serious toll. I felt stuck — like I was pouring all my time and energy into something that wasn’t aligned with my true passion. That frustration, combined with the pressure to keep pushing forward, weighed heavily on me.
The mental health episodes I experienced during this time were incredibly dark — at one point, they led me to the brink of suicide on multiple occasions that broke me but didn’t destroy me. Hitting rock bottom forced me to reevaluate everything. I realised that if I was going to keep moving forward, I had to pursue what truly mattered to me — comedy. I knew that chasing my dreams was the only way forward because the alternative seemed to lead to an even darker path.
Financial struggles have also played a big role. Pursuing my degree, navigating visa costs, and now working to build a career in comedy — it’s been a constant balancing act. But despite all that, I’ve kept pushing. Doing a few shows in South Africa and being able to perform to an audience week in and week out not just through social media but live on stage as well.
The positive side is that I’ve overcome some of those battles. I completed my degree, I’ve been reunited with my family here in Plano, and I feel like the slate is clean moving forward. While my mental health is still something I’m working hard to overcome, I’m determined to face it head-on and use my experiences to fuel my journey in comedy.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My passion lies in stand-up comedy and performing on stage, whether that’s through theatre or acting in film and TV. These forms of storytelling hit emotional notes that truly resonate with me — the vulnerability, the rawness, and the connection you create with an audience. There’s something incredibly powerful about stepping into a character or standing on stage with just a microphone and finding a way to connect with people — to make them laugh, reflect, or even cry.
What I’m most proud of is the resilience it’s taken to get to this point — the strength to push through mental health struggles, visa challenges, and the uncertainty of not knowing where I was headed. Reaching the decision to fully commit to pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, especially in the biggest market in the world, wasn’t easy — but it was necessary. After hitting rock bottom, I realised that chasing my dreams was the only way forward.
What sets me apart is the life I’ve lived and the perspective I bring with me. Growing up in Zimbabwe, studying in South Africa, and now pursuing comedy in the United States has given me a unique understanding of people from all walks of life. I’ve learned to adapt, connect, and find humour in the shared experiences that unite us.
I’m also proud of the fact that I’ve put myself out there — stepping into unfamiliar spaces and connecting with some of the best in the business. Those experiences have only strengthened my passion and drive.
Ultimately, my goal isn’t just to perform — it’s to move people. I want to tell stories that make people feel seen, understood, and, most importantly, less alone. Whether that’s through laughter or emotional reflection, I believe that’s what true connection is all about.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned on this journey, it’s that sometimes the hardest moments can lead you exactly where you need to be.
My path hasn’t been easy — I’ve faced visa struggles moving from Zimbabwe to South Africa, and again when trying to get to the United States. I spent years pursuing a degree in human physiology and pharmacology, knowing deep down it wasn’t what I was passionate about. That disconnect weighed heavily on me, and over time, it began to take a serious toll on my mental health. Eventually, I reached a breaking point — a moment where I felt so overwhelmed and hopeless that I attempted to take my own life. It was a moment that broke me, but it didn’t destroy me.
In the aftermath of that dark period, I realised something crucial — if I was going to keep going, I had to do something that gave me purpose. That’s when I made the decision to fully commit to what had always been in my heart: comedy.
Comedy isn’t just about making people laugh — for me, it’s about connection. It’s about taking life’s struggles, anxieties, and heartbreaks and turning them into something people can relate to — something that makes them feel seen. That’s why I’m diving headfirst into stand-up, theatre, and acting in film and TV. Those forms of storytelling hit emotional points that resonate deeply with me, and I know they’re where I belong.
What I’m most proud of is the resilience it’s taken to reach this point. Despite feeling stuck in a degree that wasn’t fulfilling, I finished it. Despite mental health challenges that threatened to consume me, I fought to keep going. And now, despite stepping into one of the most competitive industries in the world, I’m doing so with everything I have — because I believe it’s my purpose.
What sets me apart is the journey I’ve been on. Growing up in Marondera, Zimbabwe, shaped my identity, and studying in South Africa broadened my perspective. Now, as I take on this new chapter in the United States, I carry those experiences with me. I’ve had the privilege of connecting with people from all walks of life, and those encounters have shaped the stories I tell and the way I approach comedy.
“Comfort can be dangerous. Comfort provides a floor but also a ceiling.” That quote speaks volumes to me because choosing to leave behind comfort — whether in my degree, my home, or even my mindset — has been the hardest but most rewarding decision I’ve made.
Now, with my family’s support and a renewed sense of purpose, I feel like I’m starting with a clean slate. The struggles I’ve faced aren’t behind me, but they’ve shaped me — and I’m determined to use those experiences to create something meaningful.
If there’s one thing I want readers to take away, it’s this: no matter how lost you feel, no matter how dark things may seem, there’s always a way forward — and sometimes, the best path is the one that scares you the most.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fadzi_chickers/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fadziso-chikonyora-0007a2262/
