Exclusive Interview with Creator of Comedy Portuguese: Humble and Inspiring

In the vibrant world of comedy and creativity, few names resonate as powerfully as Steve from Comedy Portuguese. Known for his sharp talent, infectious humor, and unique ability to connect with audiences, Steve has carved out a special place in the hearts of comedy lovers everywhere.

We have the extraordinary privilege of sitting down with this talented genius to delve into his journey, inspirations, and the magic behind his creations. We even got many exclusives that you can ONLY read here on Momma Braga!

Join us as we uncover the man behind the memes, and great ready to be inspired by his story of passion, perseverance, and the power of humor.

Tell us a little bit about yourself

Wow, where do I even start?! I’m a proud Portuguese Canadian, born and raised in Cambridge, Ontario. My parents immigrated here in the 1970s as teenagers, leaving everything they knew behind to build a better life. At just 17, they had the courage to move to a new country, adapt to a different culture, and learn an entirely new language. I can’t even imagine making such a leap at any age, let alone as a teenager.

As I’ve grown older and started a family of my own, I’ve come to truly appreciate their sacrifices and dedication.

My dad grew up in a small village called Salga in São Miguel, while my mom is from Vila do Porto in Santa Maria. With roots in different islands of the Azores, my Portuguese tends to reflect a bit of both accents when I speak. My parents worked tirelessly in factories to provide for us, often working opposite shifts—my mom during the day and my dad at night—so weekends were their only real time together. As I’ve grown older and started a family of my own, I’ve come to truly appreciate their sacrifices and dedication. Today, they’re both retired, but life has presented new challenges. My mom was diagnosed with dementia two years ago, and her condition has progressively worsened. My dad has taken on the role of her primary caregiver, and I deeply admire his strength and love in navigating this journey.

Growing up in a Portuguese household, religion played a big role in our lives. My parents were Catholic when I was born, but they became Baptists before I started kindergarten. At home, we spoke only Portuguese, so entering school felt like stepping into a whole new world with a different language. Shows like Sesame Street helped me pick up English, and my dad often jokes that it helped him too. Interestingly, despite becoming Baptist, my parents enrolled my sister and I in Catholic school, which was pretty amusing in hindsight. It meant I didn’t have to participate in first communion or grade 8 confirmation ceremonies.

Church was a constant in our lives, and my mom “volunteered” me to sing at church starting at age four. While I wasn’t thrilled at first, I eventually grew to enjoy it, and it gave me confidence performing in front of others. That experience stayed with me and has been a big part of shaping who I am today.

I’ve always been an artistic soul. Even in grade two, my teacher saw something special in my artwork and encouraged my parents to enroll me in art classes. Later, I dabbled in acting after spotting an ad in the Toronto Sun for children’s acting classes. For eight weeks, my dad drove me to Toronto every week so I could follow my dream. While I didn’t become a movie star, I had some cool experiences as an extra on shows like Animorphs and Disney’s Flash Forward and even appeared in The Virgin Suicides.

In 2006, I met my wife while we were both working at the Holiday Inn. I was a porter, and she worked the front desk, so we crossed paths often. Eventually, she asked for my number, and the rest is history. I proposed to her at the Holiday Inn restaurant where we had dinner, and in 2010, we got married in the very same hall where I had spent years setting up for other people’s weddings. Today, we have three wonderful boys who are my greatest pride and joy.

At the end of the day, I’m just a regular guy with a deep appreciation for family, creativity, and the experiences that make life meaningful.

It has almost been 10 years since you launched Comedy Portuguese. Can you give a glimpse as to why you started this outlet for comedy and why specifically the tie in with the Portuguese community?

At the time, our second son had just been born. He was about a month old, and I remember holding him in one arm as he napped, while scrolling through Instagram on my phone with the other hand. That’s when I came across a page called @must_b_portuguese run by a guy named Elder. His videos had me trying so hard not to laugh out loud and wake my son.

One of his most memorable series involved clips from the kids’ show Pingu, where he dubbed over them in Portuguese. It was hilarious, and it brought back memories of my childhood when I used to mute the TV and make up my own dialogue. Later, Elder started doing skits where he’d play two characters—himself and a second version of himself named Manel—which were just as funny. Watching his content, I realized that, aside from him and The Portuguese Kids, there weren’t many people creating comedy for the Portuguese community on social media.

That same day, I was watching The Wolf of Wall Street. There’s a scene where Leonardo DiCaprio’s character has a wedding, and everyone is dancing ridiculously. For some reason, I imagined a Portuguese song playing in the background, as if it were a Portuguese wedding. The first song that came to mind was Carmen Silva’s O Amor é um Bichinho. It was such a simple, random idea, but it sparked something in me. I checked Instagram and saw that the handle Portuguese Comedy was available—it shocked me! It proved there was room for more Portuguese humour online.

I created the page and uploaded that video as my first post. To my surprise, it took off. Within weeks, I had thousands of followers, thanks in large part to people like Elder, who generously shared my content. I’ll always be grateful for his support, and I’m proud to call him a good friend today. That early kindness taught me the value of paying it forward. Whenever someone new comes onto the scene or asks for advice, I do my best to help them because I’ll never forget how I got started.

Now, you might be wondering why I started as Portuguese Comedy but am now known as Comedy Portuguese. Well, here’s the story: I quickly discovered that if you typed in portuguesecomedy.com, it redirected to portuguesekids.com. They had smartly registered the domain, which made sense for their brand, but it also posed a challenge for me. I didn’t want there to be any confusion between my page and theirs, especially since my content is for a more mature audience. As a big fan of The Portuguese Kids, I also wanted to be respectful and distinguish myself from them. That’s how Comedy Portuguese was born.

As my content grew on Instagram, I noticed people sharing my posts on Facebook—usually friends and family who didn’t even know I was behind them. In the beginning, I didn’t tell anyone I was running the page, not even my wife. I wasn’t doing it for fame or clout; it was just something I did for myself. I only told her once I hit 10,000 followers on Instagram!

Seeing the traction on Facebook, I decided to start a page there too. It turned out to be the right move because my content absolutely blew up. Today, I have more followers on Facebook than on Instagram.

At the time, I might’ve been experiencing a form of postpartum depression. It’s not something people usually associate with fathers, but I felt overwhelmed, guilty, and down, even as I was adjusting to life with a newborn.

Looking back, I think starting Comedy Portuguese came from a deeper place. At the time, I might’ve been experiencing a form of postpartum depression. It’s not something people usually associate with fathers, but I felt overwhelmed, guilty, and down, even as I was adjusting to life with a newborn. I found solace in creating something that brought joy to others. There’s a quote by Robin Williams that resonates with me: “I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make others happy because they know what it’s like to feel absolutely worthless, and they don’t want anyone else to feel like that.” That mindset fueled my creativity and gave me purpose during a challenging time.

You have a thriving and growing audience who truly love what you do. We are sure you bring joy and laughter to them all. Is there anything, you want your audience to know about the work that you do through Comedy Portuguese?

First of all, I want to thank my audience for their incredible support—it truly means the world to me. Seeing how much joy and laughter Comedy Portuguese brings to people is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

I’ve always been drawn to the idea of bringing joy to others through creativity. For me, humor is an art form, and this account is my canvas.

What I want everyone to know is that this page isn’t just about making memes or videos—it’s about sharing a piece of myself. I’ve always loved making people laugh; it’s part of who I am as an artist. Whether it was drawing as a kid, acting in my younger years, or now creating content for this community, I’ve always been drawn to the idea of bringing joy to others through creativity. For me, humor is an art form, and this account is my canvas.

At its core, Comedy Portuguese is about more than just jokes—it’s about celebrating our culture, connecting with others who share it, and finding humor in the everyday things that make us who we are.

At its core, Comedy Portuguese is about more than just jokes—it’s about celebrating our culture, connecting with others who share it, and finding humour in the everyday things that make us who we are. And knowing it resonates with so many of you is what keeps me going.

Ultimately, this account is for all of us. It’s a place to laugh, reflect, and feel connected, and I’m so grateful to have this opportunity to share that with you. Thank you for allowing me to do what I love and for being part of this incredible journey.

You also do stand-up comedy at special events? Can you elaborate a little bit more on these events you perform at?

It’s funny, but performing stand-up comedy at events was never something I originally planned to do. However, as my audience grew and I realized just how many people I had the ability to reach, it felt like the next logical step. The idea of bringing Comedy Portuguese to life in front of a live audience was both exciting and a little nerve-wracking, but it’s been an incredible journey.

I felt it was important to not just make people laugh, but to celebrate our culture and the talented individuals who bring it to life in different ways.

One of the things I really wanted to do was showcase Portuguese talent. We have so many amazing comedians and artists in our community, and I wanted to create opportunities for them to be seen on a larger platform. I felt it was important to not just make people laugh, but to celebrate our culture and the talented individuals who bring it to life in different ways.

I’ll admit, I knew nothing about the business side of organizing events when I started. Thankfully, I have had help from my friend Jonathan Melo of Melo Out Entertainment, who guided me through the process. Together, we’ve been able to pull off some amazing shows, including three sold-out Porkchops and Comedy events and one Dude, Where’s My Ceuças. Each show has been a huge success, and the energy from the audience always makes it worth all the effort.

Performing live is a completely different experience from creating content online, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. There’s something special about connecting with people face-to-face, sharing laughs, and creating memories together. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to do these shows, and I look forward to bringing more to the stage in the future!

Now, I HAVE to ask, where does the stage name “Ben Fate”?

The stage name Ben Fate comes from a mix of my passion for music and a nod to my Portuguese upbringing. Music has been a huge part of my life, especially during my teenage years. Fun fact: when I was 14, my cousin and I actually made a Portuguese rap album. Trust me, it’s hidden away for a reason—it’s way too embarrassing to ever resurface! But it does exist, and it was one of those first creative projects that made me realize how much I love making music.

When I was younger, I dreamed of being an actor, but when that didn’t work out, I started telling myself, “Well, maybe I could be a DJ or produce my own music.” That’s when I started toying with the name Ben Fate, which is a playful twist on the Portuguese saying Bem Feito. Growing up, my mom would say that all the time, usually when I did something silly or got into trouble. I swear, I heard Bem Feito more than I heard Juízo na cabeça!

I always thought if I ever became a DJ, Ben Fate would be the perfect name. Over the years, music has stayed a constant in my life. I’ve been making music for over 20 years now, mostly teaching myself on FL Studio. I started with my cousins Rui and Nelson back in the day, and we all shared a passion for EDM—especially Trance music. They’ve become even more advanced in music production than I have, but I still try to keep up when I can, even with how busy life has become.

It’s a reminder of where I come from, the lessons I learned growing up, and my love for creating music and telling stories in unique ways.

So, Ben Fate is more than just a name. It’s a reminder of where I come from, the lessons I learned growing up, and my love for creating music and telling stories in unique ways. In hindsight, It’s kind of ironic now how through Comedy Portuguese, the very concept of Ben Fate ended up becoming a reality.

You wear many hats as you are a graphic designer, you are the creator of Comedy Portuguese and others. But many may not know that you are also a father of three young boys. How do you do it all?

Honestly, I’m not sure how I manage it all sometimes! On top of creating Comedy Portuguese and all the other projects I’m involved in, I work two jobs—I’m a product specialist for a company that provides audit inspection software, and I also run my own sign and design business.

Outside of work, I’m passionate about some unique hobbies. I run my own wrestling website (ProWrestlingLinks.com), and as a big fan of classic NES Tetris, I also created NESTetris.com for fans like me to celebrate this timeless game and learn more about the history and current competitive scene involved with it.

What many people might not know is that my two older sons have type 1 diabetes.

Of course, the most important hat I wear is being a dad to three amazing boys. What many people might not know is that my two older sons have type 1 diabetes. That adds a whole other layer of responsibility for my wife and I. We’re constantly managing their glucose levels, giving insulin when needed, and making sure they’re okay during highs and lows. It’s a 24/7 job that doesn’t take breaks.

It’s not something I’ve shared publicly before, but our oldest son nearly lost his life when he was first diagnosed. That night still haunts me.

It’s not something I’ve shared publicly before, but our oldest son nearly lost his life when he was first diagnosed. That night still haunts me. Thankfully, we were more prepared when our second son started showing signs, but it’s still an emotional and physical challenge every single day.

And as if all that doesn’t sound hectic enough, I am also in the process of developing an app for type 1 diabetics that helps calculate carb counts much faster. There’s a common misconception that diabetics can’t have sugar, or that type 1 diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Unfortunately, my wife and I have had to deal with these types of comments as parents. As you can imagine, it makes us feel horrible, especially since we already carry guilt about our children having this disease. The truth is, there’s no underlying reason why children get type 1 diabetes. It could be genetics, which adds to that guilt, even though it’s something entirely out of our control. Most cases remain unexplained, but one fact that’s clear is that since the COVID-19 pandemic, type 1 diabetes diagnoses in children have skyrocketed by 300%.

As a parent of two children with type 1 diabetes, I know firsthand that carb counting can take minutes to accomplish. My app aims to cut that process down to seconds.

To address another myth, diabetics can have sugar—it’s all about carb counting. The more carbs consumed, the more insulin needed, with the goal being to keep glucose levels in the normal range. As a parent of two children with type 1 diabetes, I know firsthand that carb counting can take minutes to accomplish. My app aims to cut that process down to seconds. It won’t just help me as a parent; it could help millions of people worldwide who live with type 1 diabetes, as well as nurses and caregivers. It’s something I’ve greatly self-educated on—so much so that I could probably give a TED Talk about it at this point, lol.

Being a graphic designer, I’ve already designed the entire UI of the app myself. Now I’m in the programming stages, which are insanely technical and well beyond my knowledge. My hope is that when my kids are older, this app will make life just a little bit easier for them. It’s just another example of taking an idea and turning it into reality—something I’ve always strived to do in response to challenges. In this case, I saw a problem, envisioned a solution, and now I am currently working to bring it to life—not just for myself, but for others as well.

Life has a way of testing us in ways we never expect. Growing up religious, I thought I had a strong sense of faith, but experiences like these have shaken that. Regardless, I’ve learned that the only thing we can control is how we face adversity and keep moving forward.

If I can juggle it all and still bring joy and laughter to people through Comedy Portuguese, then it’s all worth it.

Every day is a balancing act, and I don’t always get it right. But I try to stay as positive as possible because my family, my work, and my passions give me purpose. If I can juggle it all and still bring joy and laughter to people through Comedy Portuguese, then it’s all worth it.

Do your boys know how popular you are? Do they see your acts? Or they are not at the age yet? We do understand that some of your material is for mature audiences.

Haha, yes, they definitely know! Like most kids these days, they dream of being YouTube famous someday, so they think it’s pretty cool that their dad has a big following. They understand that I create funny Portuguese content and that a lot of people enjoy it.

They’ve seen some of my more family-friendly memes and videos, and they especially love the Bate o Pé Friday videos—that’s probably their favorite thing I do. But I’m careful about what they’re exposed to because, as you mentioned, some of my material is geared toward a more mature audience. I make sure they only see the content that’s appropriate for their age.

It’s important to me that they grow up with the mindset that it’s who you are and how you treat others that truly matter—not your online clout.

At the same time, I always try to teach them that life isn’t about how many followers you have or how popular you are online. I want them to understand that the real value of what I do is in the creativity and joy it brings to people, not just the numbers. It’s important to me that they grow up with the mindset that it’s who you are and how you treat others that truly matter—not your online clout.

It’s fun to see them enjoy what I do, but as a dad, my biggest goal is to set a good example and show them that you can follow your passions, work hard, and make a positive impact, whether it’s online or in everyday life.

As if you can not do anything else impressive, you just released a music album. How did you come up with the idea and concept?

I’ve been doing music parodies since the early days of Comedy Portuguese. Thanks to my music production background, I’ve been able to create some pretty funny ones that people really enjoy. But deep down, I’ve always wanted to make an album of original music—something that truly reflects my creativity and influences.

The challenge has always been finding the time. Between my family, work, and everything else I juggle, it felt like a distant dream. Plus, while I can play music by ear and sing, I’m not a professional musician. Tackling the complexities of producing an entire album—different styles, instruments, arrangements—it always seemed like such a massive undertaking.

What changed everything for me was AI technology. I’ve always followed advancements in AI closely because I find it both fascinating and a little terrifying. But for music, it was a game-changer. It allowed me to take many of the ideas and lyrical stories I’ve had for years and finally bring them to life.

I understand why some musicians might have concerns about AI in music, and I respect that. For me, though, it’s been a tool to turn a long-standing vision into reality. It gave me the chance to experiment with different styles and genres without limiting myself. The album reflects that blend—there’s Fado, dance music, and so much more. I pulled from years of listening to legends like Jorge Ferreira and Roberto Leal, along with the Fado classics my mom used to play when I was growing up.

It’s been an incredible journey to take those ideas that lived in my head for so long and finally share them with the world.

This album is really the culmination of those influences, plus my own personal twist. I’m proud of how it turned out, and I hope to make more music in the future. It’s been an incredible journey to take those ideas that lived in my head for so long and finally share them with the world.

Listen Here.

You have been part of so many exciting things. Do you have a favourite moment or is there someone famous that you have met that has been memorable for you?

There have been so many unforgettable moments, but a few really stand out. Early in my Comedy Portuguese journey, I had the chance to meet and introduce myself to Mike Rita and The Portuguese Kids. I’ve been a fan of theirs for years, so to now call them friends—especially Brian—is honestly surreal. Brian and I share a lot of common interests beyond Portuguese comedy, and he’s always been incredibly down-to-earth. I have so much respect for him and the entire crew.

What they’ve done for Portuguese comedy on a global stage is nothing short of amazing.It’s hard to believe sometimes because for them, comedy is their full-time career. Comedy Portuguese isn’t my day job, and that brings out a bit of imposter syndrome in me. I think, Who am I to be part of this world? These guys have paved the way, and I’m just someone who started out making memes. Looking back at where I started and seeing where I am now—it’s almost unbelievable.

I also have to mention all the interviews and conversations that have come from this journey—whether it’s this one, chatting with Steve from Da Podcast, Sonia C from the Tenacity Podcast, or my appearances on OmniTV and FPTV. Each one reminds me that people care about what I have to say, and that’s humbling. There are times when I feel like just a regular guy, so to be included in these spaces always feels surreal.

And of course, the Porkchops & Comedy shows stand out as some of my best moments. The last one we did was especially memorable, being the first since everything shut down due to the pandemic. But honestly, the most memorable part of this whole journey is the incredible people I’ve met and the relationships I’ve built. If it weren’t for Comedy Portuguese, I wouldn’t have crossed paths with so many talented individuals in the Portuguese community—like David from How to Cook Stuff and so many others.

 

 

And of course, I have to give a special shout-out to my dad—without a doubt, my biggest fan. Just having his unwavering support means the world to me. Honestly, there’s no monetary value that can match the significance of still having him in my life.

Here’s a funny tidbit: my real name is Steve Melo. Did you know there’s another Steve Melo making funny Portuguese-related content on Instagram? Yep, his handle is @steviejustforlaughs_—what are the odds, right? The connections I’ve made have been priceless. Ten years ago, I never could have imagined any of this, and for that, I am incredibly grateful.

And of course, I have to give a special shout-out to my dad—without a doubt, my biggest fan. Just having his unwavering support means the world to me. Honestly, there’s no monetary value that can match the significance of still having him in my life.

Speaking of your biggest fan, your dad. What do your parents say about everything you have done? You know they must be super proud.

Honestly, my mom has never been a big fan of anything comedy-related for whatever reason, so she doesn’t really pay much attention to it. That said, she does think it’s cool that so many Portuguese people from all over the world follow me, so I’ll take that as a small win! My dad, on the other hand, is without a doubt my biggest fan.

I remember a few years ago, I asked him what he wanted for Christmas—it’s usually socks, underwear, or Aqua Velva, right? But this time, he surprised me and said he wanted a smartphone. Now, this is a man who rocked an old-school flip phone for years and always refused to make the jump. Naturally, I asked him why, and he said, “Because I want you to make me an Instagram account so I can keep up with all your posts.” That moment meant the world to me because it showed just how much he cared about what I was doing with Comedy Portuguese.

Now, he’s always sending me videos, staying engaged, and he’s usually one of the first to comment on my posts—even if I know for a fact he doesn’t fully understand the jokes sometimes! But that’s the kind of support he’s always given me. He’s the main reason I keep going.

It’s about more than just comedy; it’s about pride, culture, and family.

Over the years, I’ve actually had multiple offers from people interested in buying the Comedy Portuguese brand, but I’ve always turned them down. At the end of the day, I can’t put a dollar figure on something that brings my dad so much happiness—and that’s not even mentioning the hundreds of thousands of Portuguese people around the world who feel connected to it. It’s about more than just comedy; it’s about pride, culture, and family.

Anything new and exciting coming up?

As for what’s coming up, honestly, not much at the moment. With the holidays approaching, I’m really focusing on taking it easy and enjoying as much time as possible with my family. There are talks about more shows down the road, but I’ll be dealing with those in the new year!

And of course, I have to say—meeting and talking to someone like Cristiano Ronaldo would be insane!

In terms of bucket list goals, there are still a couple of things I’d love to accomplish. I would obviously love to be part of a Portuguese Kids show in some capacity one day—that would be amazing. I also hope to make it out to the International Portuguese Music Awards (IPMA) one day. It always looks like such a phenomenal event, surrounded by so many talented Portuguese individuals. Those two events are definitely high on my list.

And of course, I have to say—meeting and talking to someone like Cristiano Ronaldo would be insane! But who knows? I’m a firm believer that if you have the idea and put it out there, anything is possible. You never know what might come next!

Momma Braga Final Thoughts

As our conversation with Steve from Comedy Portuguese draws to a close, we’re left with a profound appreciation for his talent and the incredible journey that shaped him. His story is a testament to the power of laughter, resilience, and the importance of staying true to one’s roots.

Steve’s ability to bring joy to countless people through his comedy and creativity is truly remarkable. Not to mention, all the other work that he does and especially with his app idea to make the world better for those living with Type 1 Diabetes! We are truly grateful for the opportunity to share this exclusive interview with our worldwide audience.

Here’s to many more years of laughter and success to Steve and Comedy Portuguese!

Until next time…Happy Parenting!

~ Momma Braga