Ramy Youssef on the Power of Specificity and Honesty in Storytelling in Today’s America

On Thursday 27th February, long-time collaborators Ravi Nandan and Ramy Youssef took to the stage at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Given ongoing political tensions surrounding Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Canada, and his alleged ambitions of turning the country into the 51st state, the timing of a talk exploring ‘What It Means to Be American’ felt particularly pointed. The elephant in the room was quickly acknowledged, with the duo joking about how the event would be serving as an integration exercise — "the transition will be seamless," Ramy quipped. 

Over the course of their candid two-hour conversation, the pair covered a range of themes tied to the evening’s overarching topic, delving into identity, belonging, and the evolving American experience.

One of the most compelling takeaways from the discussion was the significance of specificity and honesty in storytelling—an approach that has been integral to their award-winning Hulu series Ramy. Despite its seemingly niche cultural and religious themes, the show found an unexpectedly broad audience. Both Ramy and Ravi emphasised that specificity in storytelling often makes narratives more universally resonant, noting how, no matter how niche something feels, experiences are often rooted in societal and cultural struggles that transcend identity. 

Ravi told the audience, “The shows that we’ve made together have such a singular voice. They represent something deeply personal to you but connect with such a large audience.” 

He pointed to Ramy as a prime example of how a series deeply embedded in a particular identity—one rarely depicted in mainstream Western media—has found an unexpectedly broad and dedicated audience.

The conversation also explored the tension between identity-based narratives and universal human experiences. The Poor Things actor reflected on the early days of developing Ramy, recalling the absence of reference points for Muslim-American stories in mainstream television and the initial anxiety that came with blazing that trail. “We had to build a world that felt inherently Muslim while ensuring that it remained relatable to a broad audience,” he explained.

A particularly poignant moment in the discussion came when they reviewed a clip from Ramy tackling the post-9/11 experience of Muslim-Americans. Ramy described the attacks as a societal and cultural event that “singlehandedly changed the most amount of people’s lives,” emphasising how its impact continues to reverberate. The two noted how mainstream media often presents a singular perspective on 9/11, while Ramy sought to offer a more nuanced, personal, and multi-dimensional exploration of its aftermath.

Comedy, Ramy argued, is a powerful tool for navigating complex conversations about identity and belonging. Speaking about his appreciation for Ramy’s stand-up, Ravi praised his ability to tackle being Arab and American with a candidness that resonates deeply with audiences. One standout moment in Ramy’s career was recounted—when he performed stand-up during Ramadan and broke his fast on stage. “It wasn’t scripted, but it was real,” Ramy recalled. “And that’s what connected with people.”

They also discussed the broader importance of diverse storytelling, particularly in ensuring that stories about underrepresented communities are told with authenticity and depth. Ramy emphasised that a deep understanding of the people involved was required for the stories to be told in a way that does them justice. 

The conversation ultimately returned to the evolving nature of American identity with Ramy noting that America is far from a monolithic society, drawing comparisons with Canada’s multiculturalism. 

In closing, Ravi reflected on Ramy’s impact—not just as a comedian and storyteller but as a cultural voice helping to shape contemporary discourse. “I do think you represent A24 and everything we’ve done more than any other artist,” he told Ramy. “A24 tries to do things that are artistically forward while being about something and mean something, and how do you really change hearts and minds at scale, how do you affect the way people think. I think you have done this in such an important way and I look back at our work together fondly, and the work coming up, and it's really been some of the most important work that I’ve done.”

Their discussion underscored an essential truth about storytelling: the more honest and specific it is, the more power it holds to transcend cultural boundaries and connect us all. In a world grappling with questions of identity and belonging, voices like Ramy’s offer a vital bridge—one that fosters understanding, reflection, and, perhaps, a few laughs along the way.