Dave Chappelle reportedly met transgender comedian Flame Monroe on Thursday, August 11, at the latter’s performance at Yellow Springs, Ohio’s Wirrig Pavilion. The aforementioned information was apparently confirmed to TMZ by Monroe’s rep.
The Emmy-nominated comedian also posted footage of her interactions with Chappelle on her Instagram page. One of the few trans people who doesn’t seem offended by the comedian and actor’s interpretation of trans jokes is Monroe. Monroe said in the caption:
The caption seemed to allude to the harsh criticism that Chapelle had faced after her comments about transgender people in her 2021 stand-up comedy special The Closer.
Flame Monroe is a presenter and comedian.
Flame Monroe has recently posted on Instagram to express her support for Chappelle, who has previously been accused by several of being transphobic.
Monroe posted additional stills from “Yellow Springs: Night 1” and left numerous complementary comments about their most recent exchange on her Instagram story. The Chicagoan was seen hugging Dave Chappelle on stage in one of the images from the event.
Another image showed her on a backstage stage appearing to be talking to Chappelle.
Flame Monroe is widely recognized for her work on Russell Simmons and Tiffany Haddish’s Def Comedy Jam specials, as well as other comedians’ comedy specials. Monroe began her career in Chicago bars as a female impersonator before deciding to pursue comedy and drag.
The Chicago native has worked as a writer and actor on comedy shows like BET’s Comicview. Monroe has also made numerous appearances on comedy shows such as Phat Tuesdays in 2022, the National Comedy Center Lucille Ball Virtual Festival in 2020, and Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready in 2019.
Monroe calls herself “an energetic and inspiring hostess, rapper, comedian and actress hailing from Chicago” on social media. The comedian is also the mother of three sons, whom she refers to as “AM Dad/PM Drag!” in Ella’s IMDb profile biography.
Flame Monroe’s endorsement of Dave Chappelle’s trans jokes
In an interview with TMZ last year, Monroe defended Dave Chappelle’s ability to practice comedy.
The black trans comedian went on to say that she was opposed to Netflix removing Dave Chappelle’s stand-up special The Closer. She believed at the time that stand-up comedy should not be restricted and that very little is actually “off limits” for humorous effect.
Monroe also implied that Chappelle did not deserve the terrible criticism he had faced as a result of his jokes about transgender and LGBTQ+ people.
Flame is currently seen onstage at Dave Chappelle’s performance at the Wirrig Pavilion, which she has dubbed “SHEER PLEASURE”. It’s still up in the air as to whether the two comedians will properly team up for a comedy partnership tour or upcoming comedy specials.