In 2025 Funny Women proudly launched The Glitter Challenge, and this year we’re mentoring nine amazing women who have taken on a unique Comedy Challenge to raise vital funds for The Glitter Project. Each challenger is being mentored by an experienced comedian, helping them write and perfect their own unique five minute set. The challenge culminates with a night of stand up, our challengers appearing live on stage at the world’s largest arts festival, Edinburgh Fringe 2026.
The funds we raise from The Glitter Challenge will go towards giving women and non-binary people from all walks of life, access to incredible creative opportunities in a safe, inclusive environment.
Let’s meet our next challenger… Danielle Woods.
Danni Woods is a consultant to the estate agency industry, helping agents improve which means she’s always busy. As a second generation migrant to the middle-classes, she still hasn’t fully settled into how she feels about it. Her parents made the leap and whilst Danni likes to remember where she came from, she’s far too attached to the gnocchi and the wine fridge to consider going back. She lives in Surrey (obviously) with her husband, two sons, three rehomed cats and a Spanish mongrel called Pablo.
The Glitter Challenge journey is a masterclass in growth and mentorship. We caught up with Danni and asked about her comedy inspirations and the biggest lessons she is taking away from the experience so far:
Why did you join the Glitter Challenge?
I joined The Glitter Challenge after completing a stand-up course at The Comedy Store. 2025 was a tough year so it was either try comedy, or embark on an affair and I’m not very good at fibbing, plus I doubted the benefits of an affair would outweigh the time spent showering and deleting texts. I loved the experience of standing on stage and sharing my thoughts, and The Glitter Challenge is a way to get better at it, make it funnier and meet some amazing women.
What or who inspires your creativity and comedy writing?
I’ve always enjoyed writing. I used to spend hours writing stories when I was little, and it’s so great to find an outlet to continue to do this as an adult. As we grow up we get so far away from joy and the mindset of doing something solely because it’s fun, and I wanted to reclaim this mentality of creativity for fun.
I love anyone who skirts the line of what may or may not be considered offensive or dark. It’s such a tremendous skill to be able to do this with class and without punching down or being cruel, so I salute anyone who manages it successfully. My family has got through some tough times with gallows humour and I want to be able to find light in the darkness.
Looking back on your Glitter Challenge journey so far, what’s been your biggest takeaway, biggest surprise or learning curve?
My biggest learning curve has been the performance aspect. I’m confident on stage, and I love writing but I find it really hard to lean into the performance and persona. I deliver keynotes in my day job but stand-up is such a different skillset, and moving from one discipline to the other is hard.
My gorgeous mentor, Louise (I love her), is really helping me with this, both in terms of practical exercises and theory, and it’s definitely helping. My aim is to get to the stage where it looks as though I’ve just wandered on and am sharing my thoughts as though they’ve just occurred to me.
Come along to the Groucho Club in London and support our brilliant Glitter Challengers as they preview their Edinburgh Fringe show! Book your tickets now to catch them first.
Heading to Edinburgh this August? Catch Danni and the rest of the Glitter Challengers live at the Fringe on 17th August. Tickets and more information can be found here!
