Houston-based stand-up comedian Ali Siddiq emerged victorious on Monday as the first grand prize winner of Comedy Central’s “Up Next” nationwide talent search contest.
Fans online chose Siddiq from among nine finalists who had advanced this fall out of regional contests at network-approved comedy clubs. His prizes for winning include an appearance on a future Comedy Central stand-up series, a slot on an upcoming Comedy Central Live college tour, a digital record release, guest DJ opportunity on the network’s SiriusXM radio channel, inclusion on Comedy Central’s site and mobile app, and $2,500 cash.
Siddiq told his friends and followers on Monday: “I want to thank everyone who took the time to vote for me and share with their people. Your support means a lot and enabled the success. We did it, We did it! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Much love to you all.”
Here’s a clip from his performance at the finals, held during the New York Comedy Festival’s “Comics To Watch” showcase earlier this month, in which Siddiq counsels his daughter during and after a swim meet. Roll it!
Siddiq’s previous credits included HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, BET’s One Mic Stand and Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got Jokes on TV One.
The other finalists alongside Siddiq this year were Tone Bell, Chris Cubas, Randy Liedtke, Nimesh Patel, Joe Pera, Dave Thomason, Aaron Weaver and Jenny Zigrino. Jonah Ray hosted the finals and semis across the country.
Want to see more of Siddiq? Here’s a clip of him performing, uploaded this summer, in which he rails against people who subscribe to the belief of “fake it ’til you make it.” Siddiq certainly doesn’t have to do that now, anyhow.