VICTORIA JACKSON SING a Happy Tune

The SNLalum shares memories and her thoughts on religion, politics and the power of music

- Katie Bruno

Victoria Jackson had never seen an episode of Saturday Night Live before she joined the cast of the late-night sketch comedy show in 1986. “We didn’t have a television, so we spent a lot of time singing musicals,” Victoria tells Closer of her strict upbringing in Florida, where her life revolved around schoolwork, church, gymnastics and singing. “My dad played the piano, and my mother gave me a ukulele when I was 10 for a Christmas present,” she says.

It was an auspicious gift. Victoria’s new album, When I Get to Nashville, features ukulele, original songs and a bit of standup, too. “My songs on this album are mostly funny, although one is very sad,” says Victoria, 64. “And there’s a little Jesus in a couple of them.”

Were you funny growing up?

No, I was in gymnastics, which was very serious! It’s like, “You bent your knee.” “You didn’t point your toes.” That’s all I heard my whole childhood. There was a lot of seriousness. We had to make straight A’s, and we had no TV. However, my dad was super funny, he loved telling stories, and my mother — nobody realized it — but she was very funny, too.

You’re famous for your high-pitched voice. Have you always had it?