The vulgar fast food employee Bon Qui Qui is just one of the instruments from observational comic Anjelah Johnson's comedic toolbox. The Mexican/Native American funnywoman, who launched her career on "MADTv", has kept audiences laughing for years with her colorful impressions and animated retellings, appearing in films, on stage, and in numerous television series. But, funny enough, the former NFL cheerleader never had the desire to be a comedian.

Humorist and storyteller Johnson divulged to Latin Post that her road to being a comedian was a winding one. She'd moved to Los Angeles just one year after becoming a professional cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders, stating that making the squad was simply a sign that she was meant to do greater things.

"A friend of mine was a cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders, and told me that I should try out. And, I was like, ‘Naw, that's not my kind of thing.' But, then I thought, I'm going to try out... and said to myself, if I make the squad I'm going to use that as my sign to go into the industry. I'd cheer for one year and then go to LA," said Johnson, who was born and raised in San Jose. "So, I went to Oakland for the audition, and made it through the finals ... and I ended up making the squad. And, I remember that moment ... when they called my number... I was 189 or 183... but, the moment they called my number, I wasn't like, ‘oh, my god, I'm going to be an Oakland Raiders cheerleader.' My first thought was, ‘whoa... I'm going be an actress.'"

During her stint with the Raiderettes, she was named Rookie of the Year and the Raiders claimed the title at Super Bowl XXXVII. Following the Super Bowl, she packed her things and headed straight to Los Angeles the very next weekend, fulfilling her promise to herself.

She arrived to the City of Angels expecting to collect top-billing roles and thought she'd "do dramatic roles, such as a play a rape victim on "Law and Order SVU."' She wasn't introduced to comedy until she began attending a church where a number of producers and actors attending. On Tuesdays evenings, the church held creative arts night, and a comedian who taught comedy writing asked her to attend. Johnson's response to the suggestion was, "Well, is it free?" And, when it was confirmed that it was indeed free, she said, "I guess so, right? There's no reason not."

"So, I took the class, and the first thing that I wrote was this "Nail Salon" business... and, I put it on YouTube, and it kind of propelled me to where I am today," said the 31-year-old.

Her YouTube success led to standup, and ultimately brought to her "MADTv" auditions, which she wasn't at all prepared for.
"After my videos blew up online, I ended up getting an agent and a manager, and they sent me to do tryouts for "MADTv." And...I'd never done sketch comedy. I'd never done characters. So, I decided to do the characters that I normally did in my standup, and that's like my grandma, my grandpa...and, I had to take these people and make them into actual characters, and I auditioned with them. And, when I was there, I said that Bon Qui Qui was my sister... and that she wanted to be a rapper... and I just feisty. Also, I did some celebrity impressions for like three different Latina celebrities, and ended up booking the show." Johnson said, sharing details about her "MADTv" beginnings and the construction of the iconic internet sensation, Bon Qui Qui, who would gain 55 million viewers worldwide; and would prompt 3 singles, two videos, and a full-length record deal with Atlantic Records.

But, full disclosure, Bon Qui Qui is not actually based on Johnson's sister. The surly counterperson is actually based on a discourteous fast food employee she encountered while in Memphis, Tennessee -- and, also her brother.

"The thing is... Bon Qui Qui is actually based on my brother. Yes, my brother is ghetto-fabulous. He has no filter; he says whatever he wants to say," Johnson said with laughter. "And, when I was in Memphis, fresh out high school, going to visit a friend, we went through a drive-thru... and this girl in the drive-thru was so ghetto fabulous, I'd never heard anything like it in my life. So, I thought of her and thought of my brother, and I was like... here's this ghetto fabulous Bon Qui Qui. When I portrayed her as my sister, it was mainly just a way to present her. I could have said here's some random girl named Bon Qui Qui, but I wanted to make it relatable."

The "Nail Salon" lady and Bon Qui Qui fool viewers into believing that all of Johnson's comedy is character-based, where she's actually a storyteller. She replicates moments from her own life and brings that life onto the stage, embodying the persona of whoever lives in that story. Family members, such as her benevolent Tia Mary; her soup-crafting grandma; her ghetto fabulous, trend-setting brother; her brawny and sensitive brother; her sports-crazed father; or her husband, musician Manwell Reyes of the band Group1 Crew, are all prime subjects for comedy.

The admitted audition-crasher has maintained an awesome career, putting film and television appearances under her belt, while doing national comedy tours.

Two of Johnson's comedy specials, "That's How We Do It" and "Homecoming Show," are currently available on Netflix. For more info on the terrific comedian, check her out on Twitter and like her on Facebook. Also, be sure to check out details on her website and social media to find out how you can help Johnson bring an end to human trafficking.

Post by Anjelah Johnson.

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