Rudd brings her talent back home

By Marcus McClain

NEA Town Courier

Saturday night’s comedy show at the Ritz Civic Center was about much more than just jokes. It was about redemption. Blytheville native Cynthia “Ms. Arkansas” Rudd returned home for just her second show in the city through a 30 year career in comedy.

“My dad inspired me to be the comedian I am. He would get off work on Fridays and go cash his check, get him a drink and give the rest of the money to my mom. But once he got about halfway through his drink, he’d be in the yard telling jokes. It seemed like everybody in the neighborhood would come by and listen to him like it was a comedy show,” Rudd said.

“Growing up, my mother did everything she could do for us. We didn't have to get out there and beg, borrow or steal anything, But I chose to shoplift on my own once I got out on my own. I started having children early and I started taking care of my children that way.”

Taking that path, things eventually began to spiral for Rudd. Theft led to drug and alcohol use, and before she could turn her life in the right direction, she had traveled to a point that led to the loss of her freedom.

“Later in life, I ended up in some trouble and a life was taken. ‘Til this day, I really don’t know if it was my bullet that took the young lady’s life. I was told that my statement got me convicted because I said I shot once and that’s how many times she was shot. But since I knew her and her family, I felt the right thing to do was to ask them for forgiveness. When I did, one of her daughters told me, ‘Ms. Rudd, I forgave you a long time ago. Free yourself,’” Rudd said.

Forgiving herself and also managing the perception people still have of her is a battle Rudd continues to fight even 30 years later. To get through the times where that day still wears her down, she said it’s her faith that manages to get her through. She added that songs like Mary Mary’s “Yesterday” and taking moments of prayer are what allows her to continue forward and reach her dreams on the stage.

“I go all around the world making people laugh, but at the same time, it feels like an elephant has its feet on my chest. I know I’ve changed and I am doing right, but only so many people will give you a chance,” Rudd said.

“[Mentally], it causes depression and a lot of times I get down and sad. But when I see other people smiling and laughing, it always helps me through the day. And I’m a firm believer in God and he has kept me all these years. So when I get depressed, I just take a minute to say a prayer. Once I do, it seems like everything will be ok and I just have to trust it. Even though people may not want to give me a job or so on, God has still allowed me to go to some amazing places to do comedy.”

A few of those places include the Apollo in Harlem, New York and Dallas, Texas to share a stage with the legendary Rickey Smiley. She also noted that just one month ago, she performed above the clouds on a flight with Southwest Airlines.

Despite the journeys comedy has helped her complete, Rudd noted that she is most proud of the turnaround she’s made in her personal life.

“I can say today that it’s been over 20 years since I put my hands on something that doesn't belong to me. I haven’t done any drugs in 30 years, no smoking in nearly 20 years and no alcohol in 5 years,” Rudd said. “I feel like God was cleaning me up before allowing me to glow up. If he doesn't do anything else for me, he’s already done more than enough.”

“I love comedy and I wouldn’t trade it for nothing. It’s like a medicine, not only for those that hear me, but it’s a medicine for myself as well.”