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Comedian Megan Stalter: 'I Believe in Jesus and God, and I am Gay'
๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Germany /Culture & Society

Comedian Megan Stalter: 'I Believe in Jesus and God, and I am Gay'

From Der Spiegel · (15m ago) German Positive tone

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Comedian Megan Stalter, known for her roles in "Hacks" and "Too Much," discussed her faith and identity in an interview with The Observer.
  • Stalter identifies as Christian and gay, stating she believes in Jesus and God while also being gay.
  • She spoke about her comfort with "cringe comedy" and her past experiences with Christian missions and attending church.

In a candid interview with The Observer, American comedian Megan Stalter, currently enjoying success in the new season of "Hacks" and previously featured in Lena Dunham's Netflix series "Too Much," offered a unique perspective on her life and beliefs. Stalter, who defies conventional beauty standards often seen in romantic comedies, has carved out a niche for herself with her unapologetic embrace of "cringe comedy."

Es ist mir egal, ob ich Leute peinlich berรผhre.

โ€” Megan StalterStalter's statement about her comfort with making people uncomfortable through her comedy.

What makes Stalter particularly interesting is her deeply held Christian faith, which she openly discusses alongside her identity as a gay woman. She firmly states, "I believe in Jesus and God, and I am Gay." This intersection of faith and sexuality is not a source of conflict for her, but rather a part of her integrated worldview. She explained that her upbringing in Cleveland, Ohio, involved regular attendance at her Pentecostal grandmother's church, and even included a teenage mission trip to Peru.

Wenn du auf meinem Instagram-Account einen Kommentar hinterlรคsst und sagst, dass ich fett bin, dann bist du wohl in mich verliebt und willst Sex mit mir haben.

โ€” Megan StalterStalter's response to body-shaming comments on social media.

Stalter shared that her early experiences with faith were emotional and transformative, describing moments where she "tried to open up from the heart and explain how God changed my life." She sees a connection between her comedy and her spirituality, noting, "Comedy brings me closer to God." This sentiment, coupled with her self-description as a "god girl," highlights a personal synthesis of her religious beliefs and her professional life.

Ich war sehr emotional, ich war den Trรคnen nahe. Ich versuchte nicht lustig zu sein. Ich versuchte mich von Herzen zu รถffnen und zu erklรคren, wie Gott mein Leben verรคndert hat.

โ€” Megan StalterStalter reflecting on her past experiences during a mission trip.

Her willingness to be open about her "extraordinary tolerance for embarrassment" and her interactions with those who criticize her appearance ("If you leave a comment on my Instagram account and say I'm fat, then you're probably in love with me and want to have sex with me") showcases a remarkable self-assurance. Stalter's ability to navigate these different facets of her identityโ€”faith, sexuality, and comedyโ€”makes her a compelling figure, challenging traditional notions and offering a fresh voice, particularly within the often-secular landscape of entertainment.

Comedy bringt mich Gott nรคher

โ€” Megan StalterStalter explaining the connection she feels between her comedy and her faith.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Der Spiegel in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.