Los Angeles makes an electrifying home base for fun-loving writer-actor-comedian Joel Kim Booster, who plays Maya Rudolph’s trusty assistant Nicholas on Apple TV+’s Loot.
Booster’s rise to fame exploded after the release of his 2018 comedy album, Model Minority, which led to roles on such shows as Hulu’s Shrill, NBC’s Sunnyside, and HBO’s Industry. In 2022, he won raves for both his Netflix standup special Psychosexual, as well as Hulu’s Fire Island, which he starred in and wrote, proudly showcasing a cast primarily headed up by Asian-American actors. He even pops up as a cameo voice actor in Netflix’s smash success KPop Demon Hunters.
Here, he shares his favorite things about living in the Golden State, from the best beaches to people-watching parks and open-air dance parties.
Where do you live? Lake Hollywood
Why there? When I was buying a house I needed to find one that wouldn’t create a nightmare commute for my then-boyfriend who worked on the Westside, as I had a sneaking suspicion he would be my husband someday. And I was right.
Who or what is your greatest California love? Dolores Park in San Francisco. You can feel the history of that place. There is something so wonderful about sitting in that park on a Sunday afternoon watching gay guys try to decide if they’re wearing a hoodie or a Speedo.
What is the biggest misperception about Californians? That people aren’t friendly. I find that even in L.A. this idea is overblown.
What is the stereotype that most holds true? That we are all inexplicably obsessed with highways and directions and traffic.
What is your favorite Golden State splurge? Palm Springs or Ojai. My treat, where I can invite some close friends to hole up and play board games and make meals together.
Time for a road trip—where are you going? Driving up to the Bay along the coast. It’s the most beautiful route in the world.
If you could decree an official state culinary experience, what would it be? Pizza at Pizzeria Bianco. Some of my favorite in the country and definitely in L.A.
What is your favorite way to play in California? I love to dance and party and the beauty of California weather is that our raves aren’t always relegated to the indoors at all time. If I can be dancing and look up to the see the sky, I’m happy.
Where would you go for the ultimate shopping spree in California? Wasteland vintage [in Los Angeles]. Very fancy thrift store with lots of incredible pieces. The only problem is they know what they have and price it accordingly. The only thrift store I need a fantasy shopping spree for.
Best California song? It simply must be “California Dreamin’.”
How would your California dream day unfold? Wake up, go for a walk around the reservoir with my partner, come home and order a breakfast sandwich from Uncle Paulie’s (our favorite) head to Ginger Rogers beach (you may know it as Will Rogers, but if you know, you know) and see every person I’ve ever known there. Leave with enough time to grab dinner at Genghis Cohen, where the Chinese food tastes just like it did when I was a kid in the suburbs.
Finally stop by Hot Dog at El Cid, dance to some of the best music in L.A., shop at their pop-up vintage store, and then close out the night at our house where we’ll host an after-party by our hot tub until everyone leaves, hopefully with enough time for my husband and I to get obnoxiously cute on the couch as we watch an old episode of Project Runway until we fall asleep.