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About D.J. Demers
D.J. Demers is an award-winning stand-up comedian who first broke onto the scene as a finalist in NBC’S 2011 Stand-Up for Diversity. He’s unique experience as a hearing impared comedian working on the circuit has provided him with ample hilarity to draw on, which he does with his trademark relaxed and charismatic style. D.J. Demers’ comic talents have seen him crowned winner of the 2014 Homegrown Comics Competition at the prestigious Just For Laughs festival in Montreal, as well as appearing on season 11 of America’s Got Talent.
After winning the Homegrown Comics Competition title, D.J. Demers was invited to perform at a TV taping, the first time that has ever happened in Just for Laughs festival history. In 2017, D.J. Demers toured the U.S. on the Here to Hear Comedy Tour.
D.J. Demers debut stand-up album, Indistinct Chatter, was released in 2017 to great acclaim and in 2018 it received a nomination at the Juno Awards for Comedy Album of the Year. D.J. Demers is also the host and producer of two hit podcasts: Definitely D.J. and Reviewing Reviews with his fellow comic co-host, Mike Perkins. And there’s more in the pipeline for the man who laughs in the face of his disability – D.J. Demers has just released his second one hour special in Canada, D.J. Demers: Interpreted.
WATCH D.J. DEMERS’ INDISTINCT CHATTER
This one hour special, named after Canadian comedian D.J. Demers ‘favourite’ subtitle when watching movies, offers a hilarious first-hand insight into living with a hearing disability, the perils of dating, turning 30, and working on a cruise ship. With his deadpan delivery, matter of fact air and glint in his eye, D.J. Demers keeps his cool charisma as the laughs come big, often, and oh so distinct.
Reviews and Awards
D.J. Demers was a 2011 Finalist in NBC’s Stand-Up for Diversity, and 2013 Toronto Comedy Brawl winner. He was winner of the 2014 Homegrown Comics Competition at Just For Laughs, and 2015 Canadian Comedy Award winner for Best Breakout Artist.. In 2018, Indistinct Chatter was nominated for the Juno Award Comedy Album of the Year.
‘Perfectly constructed and visually intriguing, refreshing in its candour’
Now Toronto
‘D.J Demers, in addition to being hilarious, happens to be deaf’
The Laugh Button
‘Funny, original, likeable’
Simon Cowell, America’s Got Talent
D.J. Demers Tickets
Information on D.J. Demers upcoming gigs and shows can be found here.
Can’t wait to see his live? Stream his full show now
Biography
Having loved public speaking since he was a child and performing funny speeches in grade school, DJ Demers told Showbizmonkeys, he always knew he wanted to do stand up. Performing live comedy at open mic gigs in his 20’s during his time studying at Business at University, DJ Demers names his dad as a big inspiration in learning how to make people laugh in everyday conversations, as well as Jerry Seinfeld as one of the first comedy specials he ever saw.
Starting his own comedy career in Toronto in 2009 with a comedy club debut appearance at Yuk Yuk’s, Ontario raised DJ Demers grew up watching comedians at the Just for Laughs Festival, so it was something of a dream come true to be crowned winner of the Homegrown Comics title in Montreal in 2014. That same year, after an appearance on the Conan O’Brien show, he was offered the opportunity to tour via a sponsor, the hearing care company Phonak. The show, Here to Hear, saw DJ Demers on a month long tour in an RV delivering his stand up across the U.S, not only gaining exposure and a loyal fanbase but also de-stigmatising hearing loss along the way.
And his hearing disability after all was the catalyst for writing original material from his own fresh perspective. D.J. Demers has worn hearing aids behind both ears since the age of 4. On hearinglikeme.com, DJ writes “Many people express the sentiment to me that ‘it must be very hard’ to perform stand-up comedy with a hearing impairment. They are absolutely right, and I am a goddamn hero…
I’m just messing with you. In actuality, I don’t think of my hearing aids all that much when I’m onstage. Sure, it can be difficult to banter with audience members (especially when they’re in the back of the room), but I truly don’t see it as a big deal. In my mind, performing comedy with hearing aids is no harder than living my everyday life with hearing aids. My hearing impairment was going to be a large part of whatever path I chose.”
In an interview with Hear Phonak, DJ Demers talks a little about being known as the Hearing Aid Guy.
“I put being “the hearing aid guy” out there, and it stuck. I’m not ashamed of my hearing aids or wearing them, but I am more than just the hearing aids … I want to go beyond it. Of course, I still address my hearing aids because people would become too focused on them during my set.”
And as prominent comic with a hearing disability, does he see himself as a role model? “If I was a kid who saw a comic who wore hearing aids on Conan O’Brien, I would think that was pretty cool as a 10-year-old boy. I went into comedy because I like being funny. But, I know I have a direct impact on people. It’s weird being an advocate, but it’s also cool.”
Get More D.J. Demers
Want more of D.J. Demers? You’re in luck – his full stand-up comedy special is available to watch on NextUp – a digital comedy club where you can stream instantly over 120 comedy specials from some of the exciting names in comedy. Start watching free, no credit card needed.