Drew Afualo (Drewski) Journey from Near-Death to Comedy Stardom

Drew Afualo, known as Drewski, has transformed a challenging upbringing into a successful career as a comedian, using humor as both a coping mechanism and a driving force for greatness.

Early Life and the Genesis of Comedy

Drewski's childhood was difficult, with many of his friends ending up incarcerated, dead, or shot. He admits to engaging in illegal activities, but a pivotal moment occurred when he was robbed at gunpoint. This near-death experience, seeing the barrel of a gun pointed at him, solidified his resolve to pursue comedy "or die trying."

His comedy emerged from a desire for healing and to improve his home life. He recalls trying to intervene when his brother was beaten for wetting the bed, using humor as a coping mechanism. While he always knew he was entertaining, it wasn't until college that he recognized his deep connection to comedic legends like Will Ferrell, Chris Farley, and Kevin Hart, realizing that comedy was his true purpose.

The College Experience and an Epiphany

Drewski initially attended a local college in Gwinnett County for a year and a half to earn transfer credits. He then moved to Georgia Southern, hoping for a typical college experience, but instead found himself isolated and depressed. His attempts to connect with hometown friends at the new school were met with dismissiveness, making him feel undeserving. He stopped attending classes, spending his time in his dorm room playing video games and listening to music.

During this period of introspection, he watched interviews with successful figures like Steve Harvey and Kevin Hart. He realized that all the people he admired were comedic legends. This led to an epiphany: he was a comedian. He had always been the funny person in every setting, even getting kicked off the football team for it. He felt a profound connection to these comedic heroes, understanding that his purpose was to be a comedian.

Dropping Out and Parental Reactions

Following this realization, Drewski decided to drop out of college. His mother was initially upset, crying and hanging up on him when he tried to explain his vision. He told her he would become a comedian and be on TV within a year, or he would "kill himself," a statement he now acknowledges was extreme but reflected his intense commitment. His grandparents, with an old-school mindset, also disapproved, fearing he would become a "crackhead" or a failure.

The Dark Period and a Turning Point

Drewski returned home and struggled to find his footing. He worked various jobs at Red Lobster, Longhorns, Outback Steakhouse, and McDonald's for quick money. He also fell into the "scamming circle" prevalent in Atlanta, engaging in illegal activities like card scams. He felt the karma of these actions weighing on him, realizing they were hindering his pursuit of comedy.

The turning point came during a botched scamming situation where he again had a gun to his head. This near-death experience solidified his resolve: he would become a comedian or die trying. He went home, wrote down his goals, and committed fully to his dream.

The Path to Success: Resilience and Relentless Pursuit

Immediately after committing to his goals, Drewski faced further setbacks. His car was repossessed, leaving him without transportation. He was living in his mother's house, sleeping on the floor with his sister's blanket, with no furniture. Despite these challenges, he found strength in having "nothing left to lose." He filmed his car being repossessed, turning it into content, and continued to make videos using his mother's house as a set.

He would give his mother updates on his growing follower count (10k, 15k, 100k), but she would always ask if he was making any money. He started earning small amounts by promoting music and videos, which helped with groceries but wasn't truly fulfilling.

The Drake Call and a Shift in Perception

The pivotal moment that changed everything was a call from Drake, inviting Drewski to star in the "Laugh Now Cry Later" music video. Before this, Drewski had been interacting with Drake through DMs, with Drake expressing appreciation for his comedic content. This opportunity elevated Drewski's status, making brands take him seriously and view him as a star rather than just another comedian. The video featured other prominent figures like Lil Durk, Marshawn Lynch, Kevin Durant, and Odell Beckham Jr., further solidifying his presence.

The Importance of Relationships and Brand Safety

Drewski emphasizes that relationships are crucial in the entertainment industry. While talent is important, being a good person and building connections are key. Brands want to know the real person behind the celebrity, ensuring they are trustworthy and align with their values.

He attributes his ability to connect with diverse people to his upbringing in a multicultural environment. When it comes to his comedy, Drewski maintains a strict "no punching down" policy. His humor always comes from a light-hearted and good-hearted place, focusing on funny observations and mannerisms rather than political or divisive topics. He aims to expose things people see but don't consciously notice, bringing them to life through comedy.

The Trump Incident and Impact

Drewski recalls a viral video he made in March titled "How Conservative White Women in America Act," which garnered hundreds of millions of views. A week later, Donald Trump reportedly suggested to Eric Kirk that he should sue "him" (without specifying who). While Drewski doesn't know if Trump was referring to him, he acknowledges the humor and impact of the situation, even if he's not seeking lawsuits. He finds the idea of Trump in the White House saying "sue him" after seeing his content to be "crazy" and "inspiring in a weird way."

The Relentless Pursuit of Greatness

Drewski's career has since exploded, with appearances in Super Bowl commercials (Dunkin' Donuts, T-Mobile), TV shows, and movies. He recounts a story where he accidentally saw Jim Carrey's proposed payment for a commercial, which was reportedly around $5 million for two hours of work. Carrey ultimately declined the commercial, which Drewski attributes to Carrey's focus on craft and legacy over money. He admires Carrey's selectivity, noting that Carrey hasn't done a "Grinch 2" despite its potential financial gain, suggesting Carrey prioritizes artistic integrity. This inspired Drewski to strive for that level of success.

He believes that true greatness requires continuous hunger and an unwavering commitment to work. He juggles multiple projects simultaneously, from social media content to filming TV shows and movies, because he aims to be number one. He doesn't believe in celebrating small victories, always looking for the next challenge. This mindset was influenced by his parents, who always pushed him to do better, regardless of his achievements.

Drewski acknowledges that the odds of success as a comedian are slim, but he believes that most people don't truly want to be great; they just say it. He sees a small percentage of people who are willing to put in the continuous work and obsession required to reach the top. For him, the journey never ends because there's always someone chasing, and the goal is to continuously set the bar high and leave a lasting legacy.

Overcoming Rejection and Betting on Himself

The speaker has faced numerous rejections from major platforms like Netflix and Amazon for various show and movie proposals. Instead of giving up, he decided to invest his own money into producing his ideas for YouTube. This led to successful projects like "Could Have Been Auditions," "Could Have Been Love," "Could Have Been House," and "Could Have Been Daddy," as well as sketches and productions for the Druski universe. This self-investment eventually led to a "bidding war" for his content from the very companies that initially rejected him.

The lesson he learned is to believe in oneself and one's vision before anyone else does. He criticizes those who wait for opportunities rather than creating their own, emphasizing the importance of investing in one's own content and not just waiting for a "big break." He recounts being told by college peers that he wasn't "that funny" and couldn't compete with legends like Kevin Hart or Bernie Mac. He never saw it as an impossible gap, but rather a series of small, achievable steps. He believes that focusing on the "far goal" without acknowledging the incremental steps makes it unattainable. He compares it to climbing a mountain without a ladder, stressing the need to build one's own steps.

The Allure of Easy Money and Maintaining Integrity

The speaker acknowledges that there's "easier money" to be made in various fields, but he warns against compromising one's brand or vision for quick financial gain. He recalls turning down opportunities to appear in random music videos or promote merchandise for a few thousand dollars, realizing it would dilute his image and distract from his main goal. He made a conscious decision to prioritize his long-term vision over immediate financial incentives.

Health and Wellness

He recently started focusing on his health, eating better, and exercising. While he aims to remain a "heavy set guy," he wants to be a "healthy, heavy set guy," drawing inspiration from figures like Chris Farley, Cedric the Entertainer, and Jack Black. He emphasizes finding a balance in life, where one can enjoy food and still be active.

Future Aspirations: Superstar Status and Legacy

The speaker's five-year goal is to become a "superstar," evolving beyond his current image as a "social media guy." His 30-year goal is to be the number one comedian of his generation, aiming for a career trajectory similar to Eddie Murphy, Kevin Hart, or Will Ferrell. He admires artists who evolve and diversify their work, like Eddie Murphy transitioning from stand-up to family movies and dramatic roles. He wants to collaborate with other prominent comedic figures of his time.

He states that he has always spoken with this level of ambition and confidence, attributing it to his upbringing and his mother's continuous encouragement and documentation of his early performances. He desires to continuously evolve, citing Jamie Foxx's career, which includes an Oscar-winning biopic ("Ray") and diverse roles like "Django Unchained."

Advice to His Younger Self

If he could speak to his younger self in his college dorm room, he would advise: - Believe in yourself more than ever. - You are iconic, great, and one of a kind. - Stay consistent, even when the road is rough and the outcome is unclear.

He highlights that many people quit when faced with adversity, such as financial struggles or personal setbacks, just as they are on the cusp of a breakthrough. He believes these challenges are part of the process and that people often question why things are happening when they are precisely what they asked for.

The Nuance of "Never Quitting"

The speaker acknowledges that while "never quitting" is a common mantra, there are times when quitting is necessary. He uses the example of rappers past 30 who should consider quitting if their careers aren't progressing. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and knowing when to pivot or stop. He recognizes that his own success might create a "survivorship bias," where his advice to "just keep at it" might not apply to everyone, especially those who lack the inherent talent or early signs of success he had.

He stresses the importance of self-awareness and judgment, noting that consistency alone isn't enough. He believes that many people struggle to sit in silence and truly figure out what they want, often distracting themselves with external factors. He credits sitting in silence and self-reflection as a pivotal moment in his own life.

Next Life and Upcoming Projects

When asked who he would want to be like in his next life, he chooses Michael Jackson, citing his iconic status, ability to perfect his craft, and continuous evolution from a child star to a global phenomenon.

His upcoming projects include: - "Collect and Praise": A semi-scripted comedic TV show with Mike Epps about mega-pastors, set to release in November on Netflix and YouTube. He describes it as a "culture-shifting show." - "The Catch": A movie with Emma Stone and Chris Pine, scheduled for release in May 2027. - More of his own content, including TV commercials and self-produced movies, one of which has been picked up by Netflix.

He expresses his continued pursuit of greatness and his desire to inspire others to strive for more.