By Mikkel Hyldebrandt
Photos: Russell Youngblood
Mean Gays, the viral Atlanta-based comedy duo broke through at the end of 2023 with their stinging, situational takes on gay life. Now, they have over 3 million followers on TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms, and they are developing a series format based on their Mean Gays characters. David spoke to Aaron Goldenberg and Jake Jonez aka The Mean Gays about the sudden success, their upcoming comedy tour, and what lies ahead for them together and separately.
You’ve experienced a rocket rise to fame since 2023, but you were both involved in other projects before. Can you give us a brief overview?
AARON: I’ve been acting since I was a kid, so I’ve done a little bit of everything. Last year, I went on my first National Tour with “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” which included playing at the Pantages Hollywood with the Kardashians in the front row! Some of my most recent credits include “Bad Monkey” and “ME” for Apple TV+, “The Righteous Gemstones” for HBO, and “SWARM” on Prime Video.
JAKE: Before the Mean Gays really popped, I was in my comedic content creating bag. I was just being a silly goose online, and had built a very cute audience for myself.
Where did the idea for the Mean Gays come from?
AARON: I think we’ve all experienced interactions with people who seem to put others down with every word out of their mouth. That was the “vague” inspiration. We shot two videos that first day, (Vid 1 — Vid 2) and to be honest, the initial caption was meant to be something like, “when you can’t tell if your gay neighbors are actually complimenting or insulting you.” Later in editing, I felt like that was too many words, so I condensed it to “The Mean Gays…,” and that just kinda became the characters identity.
What’s the inspiration for the main characters and the various situations? Is it personal experience or a case of “we all have that friend”?
AARON: Sometimes it begins with a single joke/punchline, and we write the video around that. Sometimes the inspiration starts with access to a new location (like the realtor video). But mostly, the inspiration comes from asking “what’s the most awkward situation we can put these characters and their unfortunate friend in next?” Part of the fun is that I can see these characters existing just about anywhere.
JAKE: I also wanted to fully mimic the “mean gays” I have actually seen out in the wilderness, the tone of voice, the mannerisms, all of it.
Now that you have developed a viral comedy concept, you are in the process of creating a series based on the Mean Gays – can you tell us more about that?
AARON: We’ve partnered with Evan Mirzai at House of M Productions, who is also the Co-Chair of the WGA LGBTQ Committee. He also manages our day to day. We’re currently casting a wide net looking for LGBTQ showrunners and hoping for the right fit.
You are also currently on the road with an eight-city comedy tour that will take you to Atlanta on October 23. Tell us about what to expect at a Mean Gays comedy show.
JAKE: I’ve been telling people that this is straight up a variety sketch comedy show, but to be honest, it’s more. It’s wild, it’s a roller coaster ride. In the vein of Jake Jonez, it is a camp gay thrill ride.
AARON: Absolutely. If you come in gay, you will leave gayer. If you come in straight, you might question your whole life. But ultimately, you can expect way more cussing and booty dancing than a typical date night.
You also have some pretty special Atlanta Pride plans, because you will open the 6th Annual Atlanta Pride Reception at the personal request of Mayor Andre Dickens. How do the Mean Gays celebrate Pride?
AARON: First of all, we are so honored and excited to be speaking at the Mayor’s Pride Reception in our home city. We will probably be the most inappropriate part of the evening, but hopefully not enough to get kicked out… The Mean Gays definitely celebrate pride by showing up late to every party, talking shit about the host/venue, and passive aggressively complimenting everyone’s “enthusiasm.”
JAKE: Aaron couldn’t be more spot on. Last but not least, A Mean Gay shows up to his Sunday pride performance as a very cutesy pop star ready to take the stage. Very Demure.
… and what will Aaron and Jake be doing for Atlanta Pride?
AARON: Last year, I had the goal to hit up all the late night parties, kiss lots of cute guys, and lose a ton of sleep. I feel like I did pretty well! Haven’t really locked down any plans for this year.
JAKE: After the Mayors event to kick off pride I will be relaxing with my girls, hitting the gym and getting back in my routine. A pride party is not my forte. After that, I will be gearing up for my pride performance on Sunday during Chaka Khan.
Riding the incredible success you’ve had with the Mean Gays, you are both heavily involved with some major, upcoming projects. Can you disclose a little bit about them?
AARON: I had the privilege to be a part of Jordan Peele’s reboot of “Scare Tactics” for USA and Peacock! That premieres on October 4th, and you can see me in a few episodes. You can also see me later this year in the films Festival of Trees, The Final Play, and We’re So Dead. JAKE: I recently released my debut music project (WHAT WE WANT.). I will be performing at pride as a part of the Chaka Khan line up. I will also be appearing in the finale of Brian Jordan Alvarez’s FX Comedy ENGLISH TEACHER.
Where do you hope and dream that the Mean Gays will be in a year from now?
JAKE: I truly hope we are deep into the development stages on an original scripted series, and touring with our wild comedy sketch show.
AARON: I definitely hope we continue the momentum and fun. It’s been a blast growing an entire new fanbase from these characters, and we’re hoping to take them on future tour stops, as well as on your screens sometime soon!
Finally, tell us where we can find you both in person and online.
AARON: You can find me everywhere online @aarongoldyboy. In person, you can likely find me at Dad’s Garage Improv or doing improv somewhere else in Atlanta.
JAKE: You can find me everywhere @jjakejonezz and in person most likely at the gym getting on my fitness and/or dancing.
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You can experience the Mean gays Live in Atlanta om October 23 at City Winery. Tickets can be purchased at citywinery.com/atlanta.