When Ahren Belisle walked onto the America’s Got Talent stage in 2023, he had something that every comedian needs: a willingness to make fun of himself before anyone else gets the chance.
He also had an unusual challenge.
Belisle was born without arms, and he uses his feet to perform everyday tasks—including communicating with a phone. Instead of allowing that fact to become the entire story, the Canadian comedian turned it into part of his comedy.
That decision helped make his America’s Got Talent audition one of the show’s memorable comedy moments.
His appearance was funny, unexpected and, most importantly, completely comfortable with the idea that sometimes the best joke is the one nobody expects.
A Comedian Who Refuses to Take the Easy Route
Ahren Belisle was born in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, and became interested in comedy after developing his own style of storytelling and observational humor.
Before appearing on America’s Got Talent, he had already built an audience through social media and live comedy.
His humor often focuses on his experiences living without arms, but the jokes are not simply designed to make audiences feel sorry for him.
Quite the opposite.
Belisle’s comedy frequently takes something people might initially find awkward and turns it into something ridiculous.
That is an important difference.
When a comedian walks onto a stage, the audience is looking for permission to laugh.
Belisle gives them that permission immediately.
And sometimes he gives them a reason to feel slightly guilty for laughing.
Then he makes another joke.
Problem solved.
The Audition That Made the Judges Laugh
When Belisle appeared on America’s Got Talent, he quickly established that he wasn’t interested in delivering a sentimental speech before getting to the comedy.
He wanted to make people laugh.
The judges—Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara—watched as he used his distinctive communication style and sharp observations to build a routine around his life.
One of the most memorable parts of his act involved his use of technology.
Belisle has demonstrated that he can use his feet to operate his smartphone, and his phone became an unexpected comedy partner during his AGT appearance.
It was a perfect example of his style.
Instead of pretending his circumstances don’t exist, he makes them part of the joke.
The result is comedy that feels personal without becoming overly sentimental.
Behind the Scenes: When Your Feet Are Part of the Act
There is a funny practical problem that comes with being a comedian who performs with his feet:
Normal stage directions aren’t always designed for you.
Most performers worry about microphones.
Belisle has to think about microphones, phones, positioning, movement and timing while doing things in a way that most people never consider.
Imagine a stage manager saying:
“Stand over there.”
Belisle’s version of the question might reasonably be:
“Okay—but where exactly is the equipment?”
It’s a small detail, but it illustrates why his act is so different.
Comedy is about timing.
Belisle has developed a way of making his physical experience part of that timing rather than allowing it to interrupt the performance.
That takes skill.
And it requires confidence.
Humor Instead of Pity
One of the reasons Belisle’s AGT appearance connected with viewers was that he controlled the story.
The audience could have entered the theater thinking about disability.
Belisle wanted them thinking about comedy.
That distinction matters.
He doesn’t hide his disability.
He doesn’t pretend it isn’t relevant.
Instead, he takes ownership of it.
He decides what the audience gets to laugh about.
This is a powerful comedy technique.
The comedian identifies the elephant in the room and points directly at it.
Once everybody is looking at the elephant, the comedian starts making jokes about the elephant.
And eventually the elephant becomes part of the audience’s normal reality.
Simon Cowell’s Reaction
Simon Cowell has seen thousands of contestants over the years.
He has heard singers who can hit impossible notes, magicians who appear to break the laws of physics and comedians who arrive convinced they are the next superstar.
So surprising Simon is not an easy job.
Belisle managed to do it.
Cowell’s reaction to Belisle’s comedy was particularly interesting because the performance didn’t rely on elaborate props or a huge production.
It relied on personality.
The jokes came quickly.
The delivery was direct.
And Belisle seemed completely comfortable standing in front of one of television’s most intimidating judges.
That confidence is often what separates a good comedian from a memorable one.
The Audience Became Part of the Routine
Stand-up comedy is unusual on a talent show because the comedian needs the audience almost immediately.
A singer can build a song.
A dancer can create visual spectacle.
A magician can create suspense.
A comedian needs people to laugh.
If nobody laughs, there is nowhere to hide.
Belisle’s strategy was simple: acknowledge the unusual situation, turn it into material and keep moving.
Once the first laugh arrived, the tension disappeared.
The audience understood the assignment.
They weren’t supposed to feel sorry for him.
They were supposed to laugh.
And they did.
