Maysoon Zayid

Maysoon Zayid is a comedian, actress, writer, and disability advocate. She holds a degree from Arizona State University and is a current Princeton University Arts Fellow, where she teaches courses focused on comedy, brand messaging, and collaboration. Zayid co-founded and serves as co-executive producer of the New York Arab American Comedy Festival and The Muslim Funny Fest. She was a full-time On Air Contributor to "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" and has been featured in prominent media outlets including CNN, "The Wall Street Journal," "The New York Times," and "Glamour."

As an established figure in entertainment, Zayid has appeared on notable programs like "60 Minutes," ABC News, and networks such as the Oprah Winfrey Network. Her TED Talk titled "I got 99 problems…palsy is just one," became the most viewed TED Talk of 2014 with over 11 million views. She also delivered another widely recognized talk, "If I Cancan, You Cancan." Zayid has performed extensively in prominent New York clubs and on international stages, headlining tours such as the "Arabs Gone Wild Comedy Tour" and "The Muslims Are Coming Tour."

Zayid has engaged in various creative pursuits, from acting alongside Adam Sandler in "You Don’t Mess With the Zohan" to participating in New York Fashion Week. She is a recurring character on "General Hospital" and has authored the New York Times bestselling memoir "Find Another Dream." She is currently collaborating with Scholastic on a middle-grade graphic novel titled "Shiny Misfits," scheduled for release in 2024, with an accompanying audiobook distributed by Audible. Zayid's work extends beyond entertainment; she offers a stand-up comedy workshop and uses her platform to discuss a wide range of topics including social justice, disability advocacy, and overcoming adversity. She is based in New Jersey.