Loni Love is coming home. The Detroit native, Emmy winner, two-time NAACP Image Award honoree, and four-time Gracie Award recipient is bringing her unapologetic humor back to the Motor City. On October 17 and 18, 2025, she will headline at The Detroit House of Comedy, marking her first stand-up performance in Detroit since 2015. The return is not just another tour stop; it is a homecoming steeped in joy, reflection, and the raw, unfiltered comedy that has become Love’s signature.
“I felt like it was time to come back home because there’s so much happening in the world,” Love shared with the Michigan Chronicle. “And the reason why it has taken me so long is because I been busy, sista been booked. But now is a really good time to come back to talk about Detroit and the resilience of Detroit and also to talk about my family members, because they gone come.”
Loni Love has been everywhere. From co-hosting the Emmy-winning daytime talk show The Real to guest judging on RuPaul’s Drag Race and making us laugh on A Black Lady Sketch Show, she has proven herself a versatile force in entertainment. Yet, despite her packed schedule with appearances on Live from E!, E! Daily Pop, Pictionary, MTV’s Binged to Death, and philanthropic work like her involvement with When We All Vote, Love’s heart has never left Detroit. Her roots, planted firmly in the city’s soil, have always grounded her success.
The Cass Tech alumna knows what it means to hustle. Raised in Detroit, she learned early on that resilience and authenticity are non-negotiable. The grind has paid off, but the journey to comedy superstardom wasn’t conventional.
“I came into comedy through engineering,” Love said. “I went to an HBCU, Prairie View A&M University, and I was an engineer for eight years. But I was always a comic at heart. I would do it on the side while I was in college. One day, I went to a comedy store, and I realized that there weren’t a lot of females. I thought, wow, there needs to be more female voices. I made it my lifelong goal to be a female stand-up. And it’s been great.”
That commitment to creating space for women in comedy is part of what makes Love’s return to Detroit significant. The city’s comedy scene has evolved, but it remains a place where performers must bring their best.
“The reason why I love Detroit is because Detroit is real,” Love explained. “We work hard, we can deal with the snow, and we can deal with the sunshine too. When it comes to comedy, you have people like Mike Epps who has come and brought comedy back to the city. You have Katt Williams who will sell out the Little Caesars Arena, you have Kevin Hart that has done the same thing. I’m just happy to see that people still consider Detroit this great place to come, and they know they have to come with the jokes because Detroit is not gonna laugh if it’s not funny.”
Love’s return to stand-up comes at a time when Detroit, like much of the nation, is navigating complex social and economic realities. Loni understands the importance of laughter during challenging times.
“I think that in different spaces, people see me in different ways. Some may see me as the talk show host, and that’s great, but stand-up comedy is a different beast. I just came off tour with Martin Lawrence, and that is a whole different theme from my own personal shows where I headline. You learn to adapt, and that’s what I would tell anybody, especially in the times we’re in. Still make your money, still get your message out, and still continue to find some happiness. And that’s another reason why I wanted to come back home—because I think we need to bring back happiness and joy. Even though things may seem crazy right now, we can find some joy in that, and that’s what I talk about.”
Detroit has always had a unique relationship with comedy. From the days of Red Foxx and Richard Pryor to the rise of modern giants like Martin Lawrence, the city has been a proving ground for comedians who keep it real.
“There are a lot of evolutions,” Love noted. “Back in the day, there was only one type of comedian taking the platforms, like Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy. But with the onset of HBO and Def Jam, that allowed multiple different comedians to be seen, to have a platform. That’s when you had Bernie Mac, Cedric the Entertainer, DL Hughley, and Martin Lawrence, who was the host of Def Jam. That was the evolution from having one main top Black comic to now we have these different varieties of comics.”
That evolution has brought more diverse voices to the stage, including more women, but Love acknowledges that the path is still challenging.
“When I came into the game in 2003, I saw the need for more female voices. There were rooms where I was the only woman performing. But I stayed consistent, and now I’m working on a stand-up show that will be produced for women, and we are going to put it out there for the public to see. This is my life’s calling: to do comedy and production. I try to
use my platform to help give exposure to as many people as possible—and flirt with as many men as I can see,” she added, with a signature laugh.
The upcoming performances at The Detroit House of Comedy aren’t just about cracking jokes; they are about reconnecting with the spirit of the city that shaped her. Detroit’s resilience mirrors Love’s own journey—persistent, innovative, and authentic.
“People want to act like Detroit is this city that is so bad, but actually, it is not. It is a beautiful city,” Love said. “You know a Detroit woman—everything is just always put together. When people hear the word Detroit, they think of crime, but it is not like that. It is my home, and every time I come back, I feel loved and safe. I’m always repping. I am the daughter of Detroit, and I will always speak up for Detroit. I love my city.”
Love’s presence on stage promises to bring a sense of relief, joy, and, undoubtedly, thought-provoking humor that touches on everyday realities. Her comedic style has always reflected an understanding of the struggles and triumphs of Black communities. Her observations are sharp but never dismissive, grounded in lived experiences and a genuine desire to uplift.
The Detroit House of Comedy will host a daughter of the city who has earned national acclaim yet remains deeply rooted in the essence of her hometown. With multiple current projects, including the “A Time To Laugh Tour,” appearances on the new Hollywood Squares with Drew Barrymore, guest spots on Martin Lawrence’s Y’all Know What It Is! tour, and co-hosting the Grown Women Talking podcast, Love shows no signs of slowing down. But for now, she is focused on coming home, taking the stage, and sharing some much-needed laughter.
“Detroit has always been that place where you have to come correct,” Love said. “But that’s why I love it. You get on that stage, and you feel the energy from the people who know what it means to grind. They came for the jokes, and I got ’em.”
When Loni Love steps on stage in February 2025, Detroit won’t just be welcoming a comedian; it will be celebrating one of its own. And for Love, nothing beats performing for the people who understand her best. Tickets will go fast. Detroit doesn’t just show up for the jokes; it shows up for its own. And Loni Love, daughter of Detroit, is ready to deliver.
