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{{Short description|Comedian and actress (born 1973)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Comedy Queen Janet
| image = Comedians from Goa -- Augustine, Janet and Selvy (cropped).jpg
| caption = Almeida in 2015
| birth_name = Janeth Nunes
| birth_place = [[Navelim]], Goa, India
| other_names = {{hlist|Janet Almeida|Comedian Janet{{efn|Alternatively known as Comedienne Janet.}}}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|11|28|df=y}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Comedian|actress|singer}}
| years_active = 1988–present
| spouse = {{marriage|Filipe Almeida|1999}}
| children = 2
}}

'''Janeth Nunes e Almeida''' ([[née]] '''Nunes'''; born 28 November 1973), known professionally as '''Comedy Queen Janet'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegoan.net//keep-personal-biases-aside-project-positives-alina-to-tiatrists/33184.html|title=Keep personal biases aside, project positives: Alina to tiatrists|website=The Goan EveryDay}}</ref> or [[mononymously]] as '''Janet''', is a comedian, actress, and singer based in [[London, UK]]. She is known for her work in [[Konkani cinema|Konkani films]] and ''[[tiatr]]'' (theatre) productions. During her early career as a comedian, she rose to fame as part of a [[Comedy troupe|comedy trio]] alongside fellow entertainers [[Comedian Agostinho]] and [[Comedian Selvy]].

==Early life==
Almeida was born as Janeth Nunes on 28 November 1973<ref name=":2" /> in the neighborhood of Mandopa in [[Navelim]], [[Goa]], India. Her parents were Joaquim Nunes and Clara Carneiro. Joaquim was a railway worker with origins in the neighborhood of Dongri in [[Tiswadi#Settlements|Mandur]], Goa. He was known for his collaborations with the [[Konkani-language|Konkani]] comedian [[Jacinto Vaz]] in ''[[tiatr]]s'', a distinctive style of [[Goan]] theater. Furthermore, he was noted for his participation in [[Toastmaster|raising toasts]] and performing "toast songs" (''saude''), a genre of Goan [[drinking song]]s. Almeida's mother, Clara, was known for her singing abilities. She was commonly requested to lend her vocal talents to wedding festivities in Goa, specifically during the traditional [[Weddings in India#Other religions|roce ceremony]].<ref name=":0" />

Almeida began performing publicly at a very early age. During her early childhood at around the age of 9, when she was in the 4th grade, she often entertained audiences with her singing talent at school assemblies and community events in her village, receiving invitations to perform from the young boys in the area. During this period, Agnelo D'Costa, a well-known singer originating from her town of Navelim, was also actively performing in the region. One day, Almeida encountered D'Costa riding a bicycle and, having heard him sing on the radio before, she approached him and asked him to share one of his songs with her. Rather than simply giving her a song to perform, D'Costa extended an offer for her to join him in his upcoming musical production that was to feature professional Goan theater artists. In this collaboration, Almeida was tasked with providing vocal [[accompaniment]] to D'Costa as the lead singer. Through this opportunity, she went on to participate in three of D'Costa's [[musical show]]s.<ref name=":0" />

==Career==
Almeida's professional acting career began in 1988 at the age of 15, when she was invited to perform in the ''[[tiatr]]'' ([[Goan Konkani]] theater) production ''Gulam'' (Servant), directed by Peter de Benaulim. Following her debut, Almeida went on to act in various ''khells'' ([[street play]]s) produced by [[Menino De Bandar]]. This exposure led to further opportunities, and she subsequently performed in ''tiatrs'' (or theater productions) directed by a number of popular figures in the local theater scene, including Lino Dourado, Jack Ferry, [[Roseferns]], [[C. D'Silva]], her future husband Filipe Almeida, [[Joe Rose (Konkani actor)|Joe Rose]], [[Mario Menezes]], [[Prince Jacob]], Pascoal Rodrigues, [[Patrick Dourado]], Meena Leitao, [[Premanand Sangodkar]], Elvis-Carmin, and [[Wilson Mazarello|Wilmix]]-[[Sharon Mazarello|Sharon]]. Lino's work involved her participation in a minimum of three theatrical productions known as ''[[Tiatr#Khell tiatr|khell tiatrs]]''. As Almeida's career progressed, she became a regular performer, often collaborating with her husband Filipe as well as other popular directors in the [[Goan]] theatrical tradition.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Mazarello |first=Wilson |title=Konkani Khell Tiatr |date=10 March 2018 |publisher=[[Dalgado Konknni Akademi]] |location=Panaji, Goa |pages=181–182}}</ref>

Almeida has been involved in various theatrical and cinematic productions in the region. In July 2015, she was cast in the ''tiatr'' (Goan theater) production titled ''Maink Paik Azilant Dovorat'' (Keep Parents At Eldercare). In this performance, she played the role of a wife opposite the [[Comedian Ambe]]. Additionally, she participated as a vocalist in a [[sextet]] ensemble that included Aurelio, Ambe, Franky Gonsalves, David, and Samenca.<ref>{{Cite web |title=An eye-opener for every parent and child |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Voice-Of-Tiatr/An-eyeopener-for-every-parent-and-child/91486 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=oHeraldo |date=31 August 2022 }}</ref> Two years later, in June 2017, Almeida was featured in the [[Konkani cinema|Konkani film]] ''Chori'' (Theft), directed by Jacinto Cruz. For this [[DVD-Video|DVD-format]] movie, she was cast alongside her husband Filipe, with the two portraying comedic characters. A review published in the local newspaper ''[[O Heraldo]]'' observed that Almeida, Filipe, [[Comedian Selvy]], Comedian Richard, and [[Comedian Agostinho]] combine to form a well-balanced [[quintet]] that excels in providing humor and entertainment. However, the reviewer proposed that the inclusion of extra comedic scenes might have elevated the overall quality of the film's presentation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A tale of deceit and betrayal |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Review/Voice-Of-Tiatr/A-tale-of-deceit-and-betrayal/115996 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=oHeraldo |date=31 August 2022 }}</ref>

In February 2015, Almeida was cast in the role of Ashmusao in the ''[[tiatr]]'' production ''Pai'' (Father), directed by Comedian Agostinho. The play went on to win first place at the 6th [[Tiatr Academy of Goa]]'s Popular Tiatr Festival.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Pai' excels at TAG's Popular Tiatr Festival |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/%E2%80%98Pai%E2%80%99-excels-at-TAG%E2%80%99s-Popular-Tiatr-Festival/85395 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=oHeraldo |date=31 August 2022 }}</ref> The following year, in 2016, Almeida appeared in another ''tiatr'' titled ''Apurbaiechim Fulam'' (Affectionate Flowers), produced by [[Lawry Travasso]]. This production was later released on DVD, and Almeida's performance in a comedic role was praised by reviewers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=When children purposely lose their way |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Voice-Of-Tiatr/When-children-purposely-lose-their-way/107681 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=oHeraldo |date=31 August 2022 }}</ref> She continued to work in ''tiatr'' productions, and in January 2019 she was cast in the play ''Mera Bharat Mahaan'' (My India is Great), again directed by Comedian Agostinho. In this production, Almeida performed comedic scenes alongside several other well-known ''tiatr'' artists, including Agostinho, Comedian Selvy, Fiona, and Jose de Velsao. While her individual performance was noted, some reviews suggested her comedic chemistry with the [[ensemble cast]] was not entirely seamless.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A weak foundation does not make a strong country |url=http://www.heraldgoa.in/m/details.php?n_id=141557 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=oHeraldo}}</ref>

In the early 2000s, Almeida and her husband Filipe co-directed a [[Goan]] theatrical performance known as a ''tiatr'' titled ''Soglim Khuxeal'' (Everyone's Happy). This production was presented in 2005 by Tony Gonsalves as part of the Wembley Goans UK group, based in [[Wembley, England]]. The ''tiatr'' production was performed in [[Paris]] and traveled to various countries in the [[Gulf region]], such as [[Dubai]], [[Kuwait]], and [[Bahrain]], entertaining audiences in those locations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=For the LOVE OF TIATR |url=http://www.heraldgoa.in/m/details.php?n_id=125412 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=oHeraldo}}</ref> After relocating to London, UK,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Times |first=Navhind |date=2024-01-09 |title='Past is Past' {{!}} The Navhind Times |url=https://www.navhindtimes.in/2024/01/09/magazines/buzz/past-is-past/ |access-date=2024-08-03 |language=en-US}}</ref> Almeida made a return to the Goan theater scene in December 2023. She was cast in the ''tiatr Past is Past'', directed by [[Comedian Agostinho]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=UK comedian set to create history in Goa |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Cafe/UK-comedian-set-to-create-history-in-Goa/215157 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=oHeraldo |date=31 August 2022 }}</ref> In this production, she portrayed the role of a comedian named Paracetamol, while her daughter Swizerl played the character of Crocin.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Pires |first=Mario |date=2024-01-21 |title=Tiatr review: Tiatr 'Past Is Past' |url=https://www.gomantaktimes.com/my-goa/art-culture/tiatr-review-tiatr-past-is-past |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=Gomantak Times |language=en}}</ref> As of 2012, ''Soglim Khuxeal'' remains the sole directed work attributed to Almeida.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=45_WlAEACAAJ |title=Directory of Tiatr Artistes, 2012 |date=2012 |publisher=Tiatr Academy of Goa |pages=100 |language=en}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In 1999, Almeida was performing in the ''[[tiatr]] Goonda'' (Goon) by [[Roseferns]] alongside fellow ''[[tiatrist]]'' Filipe. During this production, they became acquainted and developed a close personal friendship. Approximately six months after first meeting, the couple decided to marry.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shuttling between lives |url=https://www.thegoan.net//shuttling-between-lives/1659.html |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=The Goan EveryDay |language=en}}</ref> On 21 November 1999, they held their wedding ceremony at the Our Lady of Merces Church in [[Colva, Goa]]. Prior to this religious service, they had also completed a [[civil marriage]] registration five days earlier.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Dourado |first=Assis |date=2 February 2000 |title=Marriage Register |url=https://goaonline.gov.in/AllServices?cat=allZUeFHBL0zH_B_o_qI0Yn9nWEpm_kl2vuh1xW8sAol-2ZD-iDWhXpXWE_eMk/t-bc8/9nW91 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520212143/https://goaonline.gov.in/AllServices?cat=allZUeFHBL0zH_B_o_qI0Yn9nWEpm_kl2vuh1xW8sAol-2ZD-iDWhXpXWE_eMk/t-bc8/9nW91 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |access-date=14 December 2023 |website=Goa Online}}</ref>

Filipe, who was 32 years old at the time of their marriage, hailed from Colva.<ref name=":5" /> Together, they had two children a daughter named Swizerl, and a son Sweden. Both of their children later made their own debuts on the [[Tiatr|Konkani stage]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=A young generation of tiatrists |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Cafe/A-young-generation-of-tiatrists/131211 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=oHeraldo |date=31 August 2022 }}</ref> with Swizerl establishing a career as a comedian.<ref name=":3" /> As of 2012, Almeida and her family were residing in Colva, Goa.<ref name=":2" /> However, they subsequently relocated to [[London, United Kingdom]].<ref name=":1" /> During her professional journey, Almeida fostered strong working connections with [[Goan]] entertainers such as [[Comedian Agostinho]] and [[Comedian Selvy]]. Together, they formed a [[comedy troupe|comedy trio]] and collaborated on various performances.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thousands bid Comedian Selvy a tearful adieu |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Thousands-bid-Comedian-Selvy-a-tearful-adieu/192296 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=oHeraldo |date=31 August 2022 }}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|id=13374066}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Janet, Comedy Queen}}
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Tiatrists]]
[[Category:Actors from South Goa district]]
[[Category:Konkani-language singers]]

Comedy Queen Janet - Revision history

Chardhamyatrahotels at 18:29, 4 February 2026