Writer/Actress Simone Shepherd is among the rising stars in comedy. Hailing from Steeler Country, the Pittsburgh native has been getting plenty of attention for her now-famous 6-second comedy skits on Vine. In only a few months, Simone built an audience of over 2.6 million fans and has been involved in developing creative content for large brands like Airheads, Wendy’s and Trident. I recently had the opportunity to sit down and interview Simone and that I was amazed at how much this girl has done and how she has been able to handle her success. One thing I can say for sure is that Simone Shepherd is totally no “Ratchet”
Nakisha:
I remember seeing the Beyonce spoof and thinking “This girl is cute”!!! How do you take a straightforward sketch idea and turn it into a series of personalities?
Simone:
My friend Brittany Furlan, the number one girl on Vine, was on Vine when she first started, and was like, “Girl, you’re going to love it!” Once I started, I became addicted to having the ability to create funny content so quickly.
Nakisha:
Where does inspiration come from when you consider what you want to do next? How do you determine what the audience will enjoy?
Simone:
My ideas come from my life, and my perception of things. I never know if my audience will like my content. If I believe an idea is funny, then I’ll go with it.
Nakisha:
With your popularity growing every day, and plenty of others trying to copy the same formula that led to over 2 million followers, are you feeling the pressure to compete for relevance?
Simone:
No, I do not feel any pressure to compete with anyone aside from myself. I do not force my funny, I just let it flow. I posted plenty of content early on in my Vine career, but now that I’m so busy with all the astonishing opportunities Vine creates, it is sometimes hard to find time to Vine as much as I used to.
Nakisha:
You attended North Carolina Central University, where you graduated with a BA in theater. What role do you think your education played in your success?
Simone:
My education was important because it taught me techniques to follow my natural abilities.
Nakisha:
What future projects or collaborations can your fans look forward to in the future? Will we see you on the big screen?
Simone:
Yes, I have several TV and film projects with major networks and studios in development. I’m so excited!
