Mark StefanosFor audiences who grew up quoting viral sketches and discovering stand-up on the internet, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes stands out as a rare breed. The San Jose native of Mexican and Native American descent has built a career that spans viral internet fame, six comedy specials, acting roles, a memoir, and now a major national stand-up tour.
Johnson-Reyes first caught widespread attention as an Oakland Raiders cheerleader before transitioning to comedy. Her breakthrough “Nail Salon” sketch went viral, leading to a series regular role on MADtv and the unforgettable fast-food character Bon Qui Qui, which racked up tens of millions of views.
She got her start doing stand-up in LA, and has since released specials on platforms including Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube, with her 2023 special Say I Won’t racking up over 5 million views on YouTube alone. Her acting credits include guest spots on Life & Beth, Superstore, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and films like Enough Said and Candy Cane Lane alongside Eddie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross. In 2022, she published the memoir “Who Do I Think I Am?: Stories of Chola Wishes and Caviar Dreams,” and she recently launched the comedy and mental health podcast Funjelah.
This season, she’s hitting the road with “The Family Reunion Tour,” a sprawling stand-up run with over 100 dates. Her current hour draws directly from what she’s up to these days: “I always write about my life and what I’m currently going through, so this current hour is very much shaped by my motherhood journey,” she tells LA Weekly. She gave birth to her daughter Rosalie in June 2023.
Catch the hilarious and endearing comedian on her tour later this month at Yaamava’, The Wiltern and El Rey Theatre. Visit anjelah.com for tickets and information, and read ahead to find out about her dream role of playing Jodi Arias.
Anjelah Johnson-Reyes (Sean Hagwell)
LA Weekly: What can fans expect from your LA shows?
Anjelah Johnson-Reyes: They can expect a fun night with family as I get vulnerable about how my life has changed becoming a mom in my 40s and how that has affected my marriage and identity.
How do you balance your career with raising your daughter?
I’ve learned to draw boundaries and prioritize what really matters in life.
What has been the best part of taking your comedy on a global tour to over 100 cities? And the most challenging?
The best part has been introducing my daughter to my career and to the world through travel and adventure. The most challenging part has been managing my mental health.
Any memorable stories about performing in Los Angeles?
I got my start in LA. My very first open mic was at Buzz Cafe, across from The Grove, if it’s still there [Editor’s note: sadly it’s not]. I used to be really nervous to go up at the local clubs like the Comedy Store or Laugh Factory and I would get diarrhea every time. The first time I realized I had fans was in LA when people showed up to see me do a 10-minute set at Lucky Strike Bowling Alley because they saw on MySpace that I was going to be there.
What was your first job?
My first job was at Paramount’s Great America theme park. I was 14 years old and I had to get a permit to work there. I rotated between games, stores, and restaurants.
What kind of person were you in high school?
I bounced around to a bunch of different high schools and made friends with everyone. I didn’t have just one crew, I would sit at different tables and lunch and just talk to everybody.
Anjelah Johnson-Reyes (Sean Hagwell)
Who’s the funniest person in your family?
The funniest person in my family is my brother Kenny. He’s super quick-witted and creative. He’s just too introverted to do it for a living.
When/where/why did you start doing or studying comedy?
I started comedy by taking a joke writing stand-up comedy class at a church because it was free. I had no intention of becoming a stand-up comedian, I just thought it would be fun to take the class. And again, it was free.
How’d you learn to be a better comedian?
Practice and discovering my own point of view and realizing that being myself was better than trying to be the person who I thought people wanted me to be.
Who are your comedy heroes?
Brian Regan, Ellen DeGeneres, and George Lopez
What’s your favorite city to do comedy?
LA, always LA. However — and it changes over the years — but it’s usually a city in Texas. Currently San Antonio.
What’s your favorite venue to do comedy?
All the sold-out venues.
What’s your favorite joke of your own?
My favorite joke is usually my newest joke I’m working on because I’m excited to do it on stage.
What’s your favorite joke by someone else?
Probably any joke from Mal Hall’s newest special, “What Are We Doing Today?” on YouTube. Executive produced by me, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes. Watch and tell me your favorite!
Anjelah Johnson-Reyes (Sean Hagwell)
What’s the craziest thing that’s happened to you?
Two months after moving to Hollywood, I got invited to Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch for his birthday party and it was the most wild night of my life. To hear all the details, read my book, “Who Do I Think I Am? Stories of Chola Wishes and Caviar Dreams.”
How’s your health?
Pretty good. I try to stay pretty crunchy.
Do you have any allergies we should know about?
If you consider seasonal allergies a need to know, then yes.
If you could play someone in a movie or show, who would you play?
When the Jodi Arias crime story was going viral, I thought I looked like her and wanted to play her in a movie. Then I found out they already did the movie and I didn’t even get an audition for it.
If someone could play you, who would it be?
I don’t know, but I always wanted to play Sandra Bullock’s sister in a movie.
Who’s your doppelganger?
People always said I look like Minnie Driver.
Who’s your nemesis?
The 405 between 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Rank the meats: beef, pork, chicken, fish, lamb, other
Beef, chicken, pork, fish, no lamb, no other.
FAVORITES:
Movie: The Wizard of Oz
TV: “Friends,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Chicago PD,” “FBI,” Ms. Rachel
Genre of music: 90s R&B & Hip Hop
Musicians: Bruno Mars, Selena, Bad Bunny, Elena Rose, Andy Mineo
Late Night Host/Show: I’ve always loved Jay Leno. I think they’re all great, but my favorite interview is between Jimmy Fallon and Nicole Kidman where he finds she had a crush on him.
Book: The ones on my nightstand right now are “Everybody Poops,” “Curious George,” “Brown Bear Brown Bear,” and “Tad & Dad.”
News publication: LA Weekly, duh.
Sport to play: Growing up I played soccer, softball, track & field, cheerleading, and flag football, but I don’t play any of them now. Nowadays I play pilates and yoga.
Sport league: NFL & MLB
Team: Raiders, duh, and Dodgers and The A’s.
Athlete: Tim Brown, Steph Curry, Ohtani
Video game: I don’t have a favorite, but fun fact, one of jobs as a young adult was a video game tester in Silicon Valley.
Viral internet trend: I used to do all the dance trends in 2020 when we were all locked down.
Viral internet video: The video of this little girl trying to buckle her carseat and when the dad asks if she needs help she says, “worry about yourself.”
Internet personality: @yoleendadong @leogonzall @jimmydarts @concretelive @csapunch
Neighborhood in LA: The Valley, I rep that 818 homie.
City in America: New York City
Food: Mexican
Cuisine: Mexican
Meal: Mexican
Restaurant: Cafe de Olla in Burbank
Cereal: Rice Chex
Swear word: Shoot!
For everything Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, including tickets to her upcoming LA shows, visit anjelah.com.
Anjelah Johnson-Reyes (Mal Hall)