Although comedian Matt Rife gained popularity quickly, viewers saw on Wednesday’s Tonight Show that he is not an overnight sensation.

Not until he was over ten years into the business and about to give up did one “reluctantly” released TikTok video become the catalyst for a life-altering event. Over the course of a year, Rife went from being a struggling comic to a viral video star to getting his own Netflix special and going on a world tour. He told host Jimmy Fallon all about his incredible journey.

The 28-year-old Rife said that he had no idea what a comedy set was early on, but that even at a young age he steered away from kid jokes and always aimed his material toward adults. That’s something he said helped him later on as the novelty of being so young wore off when he got into his early 20s.

Rife was being demoralised by the amount of rejection he was receiving after 11 years in the comedy industry, which included ten years in Los Angeles. He claimed that he reached a breaking point because he was unable to acquire a special anywhere or appear on a TV show; he even made a couple submissions to The Tonight Show. The fact that none of these things were adding up made you wonder, “Am I delusional? ” at a certain point. I might not be hilarious. Perhaps I shouldn’t be doing this,” Rife remarked. “And then, all of a sudden, one insignificant video altered everything.”

Rife said that he always hated social media because of the negativity that comes with it. But after accepting the fact that he needed to change up his approach because whatever he was doing wasn’t working, Rife “reluctantly” began posting videos on TikTok at the beginning of 2022.

The rapid surge in Rife’s popularity has resulted in a Natural Selection Netflix special, which will debut on November 15. He decided to shoot it in Washington, D.C. at the iconic Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall, where Eddie Murphy’s Delirious and specials starring Robin Williams and Katt Williams were recorded.The rapid surge in Rife’s popularity has resulted in a Natural Selection Netflix special, which will debut on November 15. He decided to shoot it in Washington, D.C. at the iconic Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall, where Eddie Murphy’s Delirious and specials starring Robin Williams and Katt Williams were recorded.