Anjelah Johnson
American actress
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Anjelah Johnson-Reyes is an American actress, stand-up comedian, and former NFL cheerleader. Johnson was a cast member on the series MADtv during its 13th season. Her characters included a Vietnamese nail salon employee named Mỹ Linh/Tammy and a rude fast food employee turned music star named Bon Qui Qui (the latter of which has become popular outside of Johnson's short stint on MADtv).
Anjelah Johnson-Reyes | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | May 14, 1982 San Jose, California, U.S. |
| Spouse |
Manwell Reyes (m. 2011) |
| Children | 1 |
| Comedy career | |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Medium | Stand-up, television, film |
| Genres | Observational comedy, surreal humor, satire |
| Subjects | Latin American culture, everyday life, sports, gender differences |
| Website | www |
Career
She became a cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders after being inducted in 2002.[1] As a member of the Oakland Raiderettes, she was named Rookie of the Year and performed at Super Bowl XXXVII. Johnson subsequently moved to Los Angeles in 2005 to pursue a career in comedy after a friend suggested that she join a joke-writing class.[2] She took improv classes,[2][3] and quickly began to headline her own shows. Her stand-up routine, comprising her impression of a Vietnamese nail salon employee, received a lot of attention on YouTube.[2]
In 2007, Johnson joined the cast of sketch comedy show MADtv as a featured performer. Due to the impending writers strike, Johnson was often given only a few lines in the scripts during her tenure, as the writers had to produce more scripts at a faster pace.[2] However, her self-scripted character Bon Qui Qui, a fast-food employee who treats customers rudely, was received well and gained a similarly large YouTube following.[2] In 2008, Johnson was nominated for an ALMA Award for Outstanding Female Performance in a Comedy Television Series for her work on MADtv.[4] In 2013, Johnson reprised her role as her MADtv character Bon Qui Qui for a skit released by Alexander Wang.
Johnson was given her own one-hour Comedy Central special, Anjelah Johnson: That's How We Do It, in 2009.[5] She also appeared in the film Our Family Wedding, and provided her voice for the live-action adaptation of Marmaduke.[4] As well, she was featured on the late night talk show Lopez Tonight, hosted by George Lopez. Johnson became the "TC Girl", a spokesperson for Mexican restaurant Taco Cabana, in 2011.[6]
Johnson's second stand-up comedy special titled Homecoming Show followed and premiered on Netflix. It was filmed in San Jose, California.[7] On October 1, 2015, Johnson's third stand-up special, titled Anjelah Johnson: Not Fancy, was released on Netflix. It was filmed in southern California.[citation needed]
Personal life
Born on May 14, 1982,[6] Johnson was born and raised in San Jose, California, in a devout Christian family and remains a Christian.[3] She is of Mexican and Native American descent.[8] She was a Pop Warner cheerleader from the age of 8 and was active in soccer, softball, and track;[1] she also practiced hip hop and break dancing.[1] She began acting as a senior in high school and was especially interested in imitating different accents.[1] She later studied speech communications at De Anza College.[1][9]
Johnson married musician Manwell Reyes of Group 1 Crew on June 11, 2011, in Half Moon Bay, California.[10] On December 29, 2022 the couple announced they were expecting a baby in 2023.[11] Johnson gave birth to the couple's daughter in June 2023.[12]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | The Box | |
| 2010 | Our Family Wedding | Isabel |
| 2010 | That's How We Do It! | Herself |
| 2010 | Marmaduke | Afghan #2 (voice) |
| 2013 | Enough Said | Cathy |
| 2014 | Moms' Night Out | Restaurant Hostess |
| 2014 | The Book of Life | Adelita / Nina (voice) |
| 2017 | The Resurrection of Gavin Stone | Kelly Richardson |
| 2020 | The Opening Act | |
| 2023 | Candy Cane Lane | Shelly |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Total episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Love, Inc. | Female Client | 1 |
| 2007 | On the Up | Herself | |
| 2007–2008, 2016 | MADtv | Various characters | 4 |
| 2008 | Untitled Dave Caplan Pilot | Maria | |
| 2008 | The Movie Preview Awards | Herself | |
| 2009 | Comedy Central | Herself | |
| 2010 | Ugly Betty | Wendy | |
| 2010 | Lopez Tonight | Herself | |
| 2011 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Mimi | Season 8, Episode 4 ("The Smiley Face") |
| 2016 | MADtv 20th Anniversary Reunion | Bon Qui Qui | |
| 2018 | Have You Been Paying Attention? | Herself | 1 |
| 2019 | Superstore | Robin Green | 1 |
| 2022 | The Real Dirty Dancing | Herself | 4 |
| 2023 | Hell's Kitchen | Herself | Episode: "Just Bring the DARN Fish!" |
Discography
Studio albums
as Bon Qui Qui:
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Gold Plated Dreams |
|
Extended plays
as Bon Qui Qui:
- The Come Up (2012)[14]
Music videos
Awards and nominations
| Year | Association | Award category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Oakland Raiderettes | Rookie of the Year | Won |
| 2008 | ALMA Award | Outstanding Female Performance | Nominated |