Bringing Joy Through Stand-up Comedy: The Inspiring Story of Sharon Simon

Have you ever met someone who has experienced unimaginable trauma, yet still manages to radiate positivity and bring joy to others? Meet Sharon Simon, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse who has turned her pain into purpose through her career as a stand-up comedian.

From a young age, Sharon was drawn to dance, music, and the spotlight. At just nine years old, she appeared on Saturday Night Live, thanks to her dance instructor’s connections. However, later that year, she also fell victim to a sexually and emotionally abusive relationship with a 12-year-old who we will call “Mark.”

Despite the abuse Sharon endured from Mark, her mother, who was infatuated with him, turned a blind eye to the situation, leaving Sharon feeling isolated and powerless. In some instances, Sharon’s mother was not only complicit but actively contributed to the abuse. For example, the day Sharon started menstruating, her mother insisted that she go on birth control, and pressured her to sleep with Mark out of fear that he would leave her if she didn’t. At such a young age, Sharon’s mother had already decided that she was going to marry Mark and made sure that Sharon was terrified of doing anything that would jeopardize that future.

Mark struggled with his sexual identity in a less accepting time in our history, compounding his actions, ultimately inflicting profound scars upon Sharon. Their four-year liaison, marked by manipulation, exploitation, and abuse left Sharon wrestling with wounds both visible and hidden.

Sharon expressed, “I was locked in a corner in the back of my brain where I couldn’t speak my truth to anyone.” Enduring their mistreatment was her only recourse as nobody seemed willing to heed her cries for help. Only when she hurt herself before their eyes, or when she entertained them, would they stop tormenting her.

Sharon fantasized about becoming an entertainer and about suicide. With scarce moments of solitude, she lacked the opportunity to cultivate a sense of self-love or learn how to alleviate her anguish independently.

Nowadays, she revels in solitude. When not entertaining large audiences, she relishes the ample alone time she finds on the road or at gigs, reconnecting with friends who share her passion for comedy, including fellow comedians, booking agents, and staff.

Despite the trauma she endured, Sharon found solace in her long-time friendship with Michelle, who taught her how to rebel against her abusers. As Sharon grew older, she struggled with the anger and pain caused by the abuse, often turning it inward and self-harming. It wasn’t until she was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and underwent dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) that she began to learn how to cope with her emotions in a healthier way. DBT equipped her with the necessary tools to endure intense emotions that would occasionally linger for days. She also came across a book titled “I Hate You Please Don’t Leave Me,” which turned out to be incredibly helpful as she started to understand that she wasn’t the only one going through such experiences.

Sharon wants Mark to feel the pain she went through when they had a tough time together, but only for a short 20-minute period, not forever. “I don’t want him to suffer for his whole life,” Sharon said. But if he knew what it felt like, maybe he’d understand how much he hurt her. Not just when they were young, but also by lying to her family. Maybe then he’d tell the truth to them, realizing how his lies kept hurting her. Maybe he’d find peace knowing that even though Sharon struggles with her mental health, she’s happy now and could have been happy much sooner.

She doesn’t need to forgive him, but she doesn’t want his life to be filled with pain from what happened any more than she wants hers to be. She just wants his remaining influence to stop hurting her.

Fortunately, Mark and his mother were absent from Sharon’s father’s funeral. In the past, whenever Sharon would break down and cry, Mark’s mother would label her as “crazy,” leading Sharon to believe there was something inherently wrong with her. Nowadays, Sharon embraces the term “crazy” as a part of what makes her so special.

The tragic events of September 11, 2001, served as a wake-up call for Sharon. She contemplated the thousands of individuals who perished on that day, reflecting on their aspirations for a brighter future while being confined to mundane desk jobs. This contemplation led her to conclude that such a life was not meant for her.

She embarked on her comedy journey by persuading club managers to give her a chance, eventually talking her way onto the shows. Initially, her acts were disastrous, leaving her deeply disheartened. However, her mother’s encouragement motivated her to persist. It was during an open mic night at Hamburger Harry’s that she recognized her true calling. As her stand-up routine evolved into an enjoyable experience, she found herself sober and in high spirits. Mocking both the venue and herself, she captured the audience’s adoration. From that moment onward, she knew that stand-up comedy was her destined career path, as it felt entirely natural to her.

Today, Sharon is happily married and continues to bring laughter and light to audiences through her unique brand of comedy. Her style involves a mix of crowd work and memorized material, with a focus on bringing people together and reminding them of their shared humanity. Sharon’s ultimate goal is to help people feel a little bit better than when they came in, encouraging them to laugh at themselves and the world around them.

Sharon’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, love, and the healing nature of laughter. By sharing her experiences and using her gift of comedy, she inspires others to overcome their own struggles and find joy in life. As Sharon herself says, “Love is a verb and it’s something we do for each other and for ourselves every day.”

As she works on developing her one-person show about love, recovery, and forgiveness, Sharon continues to be a beacon of hope for those who have experienced trauma. Although her life is not perfect and setbacks are possible, her message is clear: no matter what you’ve been through, it’s possible to find happiness and purpose. So, if you’re looking for a little inspiration and a lot of laughter, be sure to catch Sharon Simon’s next performance – you won’t be disappointed!