Shirley Souagnon

**Biography of Shirley Souagnon**

Shirley Souagnon, born to a Franco-Ivorian father and a Franco-Ivorian mother named Charlotte Souagnon, spent her formative years in Clichy and Plateau in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. She made her television debut at just eight years old, featuring in an advertisement for the UEFA Euro 96 and appearing in an episode of *Navarro*.

Embracing her identity as an openly lesbian woman, Shirley dedicated ten years to basketball, even joining the Madison High School team in Houston, Texas, at the age of 17. Upon returning to France, she ventured into the realms of cinema and comedy. In 2006, she penned her first sketch, leading to her one-woman show, *Sketch Up!*, which premiered in 2008 at Théâtre Le Bout in Paris.

Shirley's talent quickly garnered attention, with notable appearances in *Pliés en 4* on France 4, *Paris fait sa Comédie*, and the *Youhumour* festival. She won *La Route du Rire* in 2009 and was awarded the *Prix Jeune Talent de l'année* in 2010. Joining the Jamel Comedy Club in 2010, she became a well-known face in French comedy, performing as a warm-up act for Franck Dubosc at the Olympia and participating in the Gala *Ni putes ni soumises*.

Shirley continued her television presence on *On n'demande qu'à en rire* on France 2, while also contributing to *Samedi Roumanoff* on Europe 1 from 2011 to 2014. In 2014, she joined the cast of the acclaimed series *Engrenages*. Additionally, she has been a prominent advocate for women's basketball, intertwining her passion for the sport with comedy through various productions. In 2014, she showcased her unique blend