Katherine Ryan was ‘quite ill with lupus’ when she decided to try for a baby aged 23 as she details gruelling climb to fame as a single mother after surprise split from baby’s father

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Katherine Ryan is a hilarious performer, but her journey to success hasn’t been simple.

The 42-year-old Canadian comedian says she intentionally became pregnant with her first child, Violet, at age 23. She had been diagnosed with lupus, which can sometimes make it hard to conceive.

I remember reading her interview and it really resonated with me. She explained that when she first got her diagnosis – and it sounds like she was quite sick – her immediate thought was the absolute worst-case scenario. She and her boyfriend had been through a lot together, and she figured if they hadn’t broken up by that point, their relationship was strong enough to last. Looking back, she realizes how much life can change over time, something that’s hard to grasp when you’re young and facing something so scary. She was only 23 at the time, and it’s true, it’s difficult to see the bigger picture then.

Katherine left her hometown of Sarnia, Ontario, for Toronto at 18, and everyone says she had a wonderful time.

She previously worked as a dancer at the Playboy mansion and Hooters, but clarifies that these venues were not topless bars, despite what some people might think.

She and her boyfriend later moved to London, but she quickly found it unaffordable and felt financially strained by the high cost of living.

Violet faced significant challenges after separating from her child’s father, whose name remains unknown. She worked incredibly hard to build a successful life for herself and her child as a single parent.

Katherine soon realized her partner wouldn’t be able to help her and Violet with money or practical support.

She chose to build a life for herself in London, feeling she’d already experienced her carefree years and was now ready to focus on more serious pursuits.

She also didn’t want to move back to Canada to raise her child alone, admitting she’d once been embarrassed by that prospect.

Katherine balanced caring for her baby, Violet, with pursuing her dream of becoming a stand-up comedian. She’d watch Violet during the day and then try out comedy routines in the evenings, often bringing her daughter along.

She explained that female comedians felt pressure to downplay their femininity. They often tried to blend in and copy the styles of male comedians, because club bookers would warn them that being themselves would create problems – that other women would resent them and men wouldn’t take them seriously. She believes those warnings were unfounded.

And it seems her drive and determination has paid off. 

You can watch Katherine’s comedy special, First Born Daughter, on Sky Comedy. Season two of Out of Order is available on Comedy Central.

Let me tell you, life is wonderful! I’m so happy to be married to my amazing husband, Bobby Kootstra. We actually knew each other when we were kids, and it’s just so special that we found our way back to each other. We’ve been married for six years now, and every day feels like a dream!

I’ve been following Katherine’s journey for a while now, and it’s amazing to see her as a mom of four! Her oldest, Violet, is already 16, and she and Bobby have welcomed three more little ones – Fred, who’s three, sweet Fenna who’s two, and their newest addition, baby Hoilland, who’s just three months old. It’s a full house, but you can tell they’re a loving family!

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2026-01-06 14:18