Atsuko Okatsuka

Formerly undocumented, raised by her grandmother, Japanese-born Angeleno Atsuko Okatsuka won’t ever grow up, and she is perfectly OK with that.

You are a self-proclaimed baby. Can you elaborate? Adulting is hard work — this sounds appealing. Right? That’s kind of why I like that concept. We all grew up too fast. It’s a comforting way for me … to be like, “Look, we’re all trying our best, considering we never asked to be here in the first place.” Meaning life.

Your grandmother has become an internet star in your videos. How did she shape your comedy?

It took a while for me to realize what my comedic voice was. But once I did, I was able to create a unique perspective when I do stand-up because I’m coming from this very childlike view of the world — partly thanks to my grandma, because she didn’t want me to grow up too fast. My grandma isn’t naturally funny. She was a caretaker. It wasn’t until I found my calling that she started to relax too. Then I was like, “Do you want to join me in my dance videos?” Suddenly she was able to also tap into her childlike self and started having fun for the first time in her life.

At what point in your life did you decide that comedy was what you wanted to pursue?

It really took a breakup from a toxic relationship and finding a partner who was very supportive. My husband [and I] both have moms with schizophrenia. When I found him, it was like this stable energy with somebody who understands my upbringing. It was that support that helped me find my footing in the world. That’s when I was like, “OK, I’m going to focus on comedy, and I think I can do it full-heartedly.” Also, I’ve been fired from every other job I’ve ever had because I’m just not built for a 9-to-5. I even tried teaching; I was not built for that either. [Laughs.]

What’s your take on some people’s fixation with the notion that comedians can’t make jokes about anything anymore?

Comedy is a two-way street. Without the audience, the stand-up comedian doesn’t have a job; without the stand-up comedian, the audience doesn’t have a comedy show to watch. If the audience went quiet, maybe rethink what you just said. It’s not that you can’t say certain things anymore. It’s more like, are you doing stand-up comedy or not? [Laughs.] The world constantly changes. If you’re doing a stand-up set from 15 years ago, people will be able to tell.

Okatsuka performs at 7 p.m. at the Elysian Theatre, 1944 Riverside Drive