Before Wanda Sykes was a comic, she worked as a procurement officer for the National Security Agency (NSA). Despite working at one of America’s most secretive organisations, Sykes always loved telling jokes. So when a local radio station sponsored a talent show, she auditioned for the comedy category and fell in love with stand-up.
“I love doing stand-up. That’s where I feel like I can be free,” she told National Public Radio (NPR).