By Cindy Christy Fertsch
‘I’m sorry I am running late. I blame my kids.” That was the text Dena Blizzard sent me as I awaited to meet with her at Barista’s in Linwood earlier this week. I knew at that moment it wasn’t an act, she really was one funny mother! Dena meandered in shortly afterwards, along with her three children Dean (20), Jacqueline (17) and Brooke (15). The family recently purchased a second home in the area and is completing renovations.
Dena Blizzard does it all. She is a standup comedian, owner and operator of two businesses and also runs a nonprofit organization. She created a board game, hosts “Tipsy Tuesdays,” invented a new holiday (Wine-o-ween) and has had two videos go wildly viral. In fact, many probably recognize her as the “Target mom” for her hilarious video a rant with 150 million views.
Dena was crowned Miss New Jersey in 1995. She went on to graduate from Rowan University and pursued a Master’s Degree in Gerontology.
“It was during this time, I realized that I could make people laugh, yet it was 7 years before I began stand up comedy,” shares Blizzard. “It was a stand up comedy class that helped me to actually begin doing standup. I pull from life, motherhood and the things that bother me. Then I put a funny slant on it.”
Since then Blizzard has written and starred in her own Off Broadway show, created “Chardonnay Go, The Board Game for Wine Lovers, Moms and Other Shameless People” and was a LIVE with Kelly Top 5 Co-Host Winner.
She has served as the Official Host of the Miss America Pageant Preliminaries for 10 years, as co-host with Anderson Cooper and has had her own talk show on NJ 101.5 FM. In her free time, Dena enjoys making videos about wine and laughing ’til her face hurts. She drinks in her living room every week on her Facebook LIVE show, Tipsy Tuesday, with thousands of fans worldwide. She hates doing dishes and enjoys eating gluten-free lasagna.
What’s next for Dena Blizzard? She plans to write a sitcom. This Spring she will be attending writing classes at New York University. In perfect Dena style, she plans to join a sorority, don an NYU sweatshirt and walk in the graduation ceremony. Part of the renovations in her beach home include a writing room. Blizzard will also be making a stand up appearance at the Seaview in Galloway in Galloway in March as part of FACES 4 AUTISM ‘s Stand Up for Autism fundraiser.
In the spring, Blizzard is also launching a Women’s Ladies OUT LOUD workshop beginning March 3. For more information visit Rachel@ladiesoutloud.org
