“Comedy Is Chemistry”: Daphnique Springs on her Hulu Debut, Touring the Country, and Owning the Stage

Interview by: Meosha Davis

When it comes to commanding a stage, Daphnique Springs doesn’t just land punchlines, she lands perspective. With the recent release of her Hulu stand-up special "LOL Live with Daphnique Springs," produced by Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat, the Florida-born comedian is proving she’s not only hilarious, but purposeful.

I caught up with Daphnique fresh off a tour stop to talk about her rise in comedy, the energy behind the special, and how she developed a voice that’s sharp, smart, and distinctly her own.

W4TC: First off, congrats on your Hulu debut. LOL Live with Daphnique Springs is hilarious and smart. What was the energy like filming that night in Vegas at Resort World’s Zouk Nightclub?

DS: Filming in Las Vegas felt like what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas because Hulu is worldwide. The audience came ready to celebrate comedy, and the room carried that electricity straight to the stage. From the first laugh, I could sense we were capturing something special.. a night where the crowd, the crew, and I were all perfectly in sync.

W4TC: Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat produced the special… how did that connection come about, and what was the experience like working with his team?

DS: Hartbeat noticed me on the comedy circuit and reached out. I’ve actually worked with them a few times before, but this was the most personal. From the jump, they emphasized protecting my voice while providing world-class resources. They respected my material, elevated the production value, and gave me full control of what I wanted to represent. That kind of collaboration is rare, and it meant a lot.

W4TC: Your material is sharp and real. What topics did you know had to make the final cut?

DS: Modern relationships and family. Those two are personal and universal. They hit deep, so I knew they had to be in there.

W4TC: Was there anything that didn’t make the cut or surprised you when you watched it back?

DS: Nothing was cut. It was a tight 30 minutes, and all 30 made it on Hulu. That alone is rare.

W4TC: You’re touring the country right now. How does it feel to bring that energy to different cities?

DS: It’s a blessing. Each city has its own rhythm. Atlanta has that Southern warmth, Chicago brings straight-up honesty, and New York has intensity you can feel. Every night keeps me on my toes and creatively refreshed.

W4TC: Are audiences responding differently now that the special is out?

DS: Absolutely. People are coming up quoting lines from the special. It’s surreal and affirming. That means the work is living beyond the stage.

W4TC: Vegas holds a special place in this journey. What does it mean to return to that same stage?

DS: This was actually my first time performing on that specific stage, but I’ve done Vegas for years. So I already had a read on the audience. Vegas crowds are fun — they come to be entertained, and they give it right back.

W4TC: You started in chemistry… What convinced you comedy was the path?

DS: During an internship, I realized I was more focused on the humor than the formulas. Comedy is chemistry… it’s all about reaction. I didn’t veer too far from my path, I just started getting laughs instead of lab reports.

W4TC: People really notice your confidence and unique voice on stage. How did you develop that identity?

DS: Stage time, real feedback, and listening to myself. I record every set, review what feels authentic, and cut what doesn’t. That process shaped the voice people hear now.

W4TC: As a Black woman in stand-up, what’s something you’ve had to navigate that audiences rarely see?

DS: Funny is funny. I don’t lean into the labels — I just focus on being the best.

W4TC: Who are the women in comedy or culture inspiring you right now?

DS: Wanda Sykes for her precision, Tiffany Haddish because I watched her climb from the ground up, and Carol Burnett — fearless, timeless storytelling. They’re all legends in their own lanes.

W4TC: What advice would you give a woman who’s funny but unsure where to start?

DS: Go where you can. Open mics. Stage time. Record everything on your phone and treat it like data. And remember…momentum favors the persistent.

W4TC: Fill in the blank: If someone comes to a Daphnique Springs show, they should expect to leave feeling like…

DS: You just enjoyed sharp social commentary wrapped in laughter, and you’re walking away lighter, but also thinking a little deeper about the world we share.