Face it, comedy is queen these days and women are giving men a run for the funny.
It is a far cry from previous generations of female comics who had to deal with a merciless gender gap in their bid for success. Today, women like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Kathy Griffin represent just how multi-faceted comedy has become in terms of who is connecting with audiences.
Previous generations of comics literally had to roam the country in an exhaustive bid to garner attention. It was often a cruel existence for some as there was no guarantee they'd receive any kind television exposure, which was crucial to longevity. Sure, the Internet can seemingly create stars overnight today. However, even if the chances of being heard or seen have increased tenfold, success still comes down to one key reality: You still have to have to be funny.
Enter Anjelah Johnson.
Going viral was probably the best thing to happen to the San Jose-born entertainer. Foregoing a college degree in her third year, the 27 year-old Johnson made a stop to become an Oakland Raiderette on her way to emerging as a stand-up comic. Known for her keen observations of a multi-cultural society (her being Latina/Native American), it was a wicked impression of a Vietnamese nail technician that turned her into a club, and especially, Internet favrorite.
As clips of her routine gained notoriety on You Tube, Johnson was added to the cast of "MADtv" in 2007 as a recurring character. While she only lasted four episodes, she went on to receive and ALMA Award nomination. However brief her tenure, that gig gave her a chance to deliver a character that became an Internet sensation, the rude burger joint employee named Bon Qui Qui.
One of the most viewed You Tube clips in recent years, Johnson experienced a career upgrade that hit a peak in 2009. This holiday season, she co-stars with Zachary Levi and the ageless Chipmunks in "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel." Johnson also completed a role as America Ferrera's feisty sister in "Our Family Wedding," co-starring Forest Whitaker and Carlos Mencia. And, she is starring in her first stand-up comedy special for Comedy Central when "That's How We Do It" premieres on December 28th.
With "Alvin 2" opening in theaters today, here's more of my conversation with Ms. Johnson as she talks about being a funny girl and the challenges of acting with small, iconic woodland creatures in this exclusive Personalities Interview.
JORGE CARREON: What was your initial reaction to being cast in "Alvin 2" and how do you fit into their "squeakquel?"
ANJELAH JOHNSON: When I first found out that I was going to be in the Chipmunk movie it was really cool because I remember watching the cartoon growing up. When they said, "Action," I’m was like, “This is not real." The Chipmunks go to high school and I play their teacher at the school. Also, their new guardian is my old friend from high school and I’ve been his crush this whole time. So it’s like I’m their teacher-slash-love interest to Toby (portrayed by Zachary Levi), which is always fun.
CARREON
: Nice.JOHNSON: I know right? Right? I don’t mind being Zachary Levi’s love interest.
CARREON: The first "Alvin" film proved a surprising success. What makes the "Squeakquel" special?
JOHNSON: I think the fact that they’re introducing the Chipettes to this film is really just going to excite a lot of people. I remember the Chipettes from the cartoon and I’m sure all the little girls wanting to be the Chipettes will enjoy something that's just for them, wanting to be Brittany and all that kind of stuff. It’s definitely going to have something different other than a different storyline.
CARREON: What's it like working with such an extensive chipmunk cast?
JOHNSON: It helped me to watch the first movie and seeing how real they looked. We used stuffed animals and then you try it without and then you just pretend that they’re there. But for me, I just pictured them from the first film. How their personalities were and their facial expressions and things like that. So it’s probably harder for everybody in the first film because they really didn’t have anything to go off. But for me, I was able to use that as an example.
CARREON: What do you think is the secret of their success?
JOHNSON:They’re almost like real people, you know? They did a good job writing this script and making sure they didn’t write it as if they were cartoons or if they were fake little characters. You can relate to them. You want to hug them! You forget that “Oh there’s a chipmunk talking to me right now, that’s not normal.” You know what I mean? It had a lot to do with the writing of it and not playing to kids but playing to even adults in the humor and stuff like that and just keeping it real. Like how I like to say, keep it real.
CARREON: There’s a lot of girl power here.
JOHNSON: It’s really adorable. I think kids and adults are really going to like it. The music is really catchy, using some of today’s hits and making them Chipmunk songs. You can’t help but, I’m singing the songs going home like Beyoncé's "Single Ladies." I use that song as my intro when I do my stand up. I might have to use the Chipmunk version next time. Just imagining the Chipettes singing "Single Ladies." It’s just too cute. It's adorable. I want a stuffed animal.
CARREON: Your comedy is very adult, so this transition is an interesting one.
JOHNSON: I don’t perform for kids. My jokes aren’t written for kids, but I still am very clean, observational comedy that anybody could get and understand. I feel that I’m very relatable in that sense, touching on different ethnicities. That’s how keeping it real. They did a good job casting me.
CARREON: Talk about how the Internet played such a key role in getting you exposed to the Entertainment machine.
JOHNSON: Not all the talented people in the world are just the ones that can afford headshots and to live in L.A. to go on auditions, you know what I mean?. I am so grateful for You Tube and other video sites and things like that because that really propelled me. Even though I was already in Los Angeles, pursuing it and going to auditions and things like that, the fact that people saw my stand up comedy on-line, they wanted to meet me at least. Not necessarily like I booked something off of my stand up, but they at least saw that and they wanted to meet me. So I was getting called into meetings with every network there was out there. It was a crazy experience. Once my video got out on the Internet, I started getting My Space requests like all the time and I’m like, “Oh my gosh this is crazy!” I went from having like 50 friends on my My Space to now there’s like 25,000. It’s crazy. And people from like networks and agencies are like, “Who are you represented by? We want to meet with you.” And things like that. So really, the Internet really propelled me to where I am right now.
CARREON: You have a busy schedule and new projects are now being added to your plate.
JOHNSON: Film and television are definitely examples of the things that I want to do with my career and with my life. I love writing and who knows? Maybe I would want to write a book one day. Write a script one day. I’m definitely not like, "I have to do this! I want to direct! I don’t want to direct! No way! Do you see all this work she has to do?" No thank you! Just tell me what to do, I’ll do it. The sky's the limit, even with stand-up comedy, I didn’t pursue stand-up it was like stand up pursued me. Somebody asked me to take a comedy joke writing class so I did. Then people started requesting me so I was forced to write more material. I had no idea I was going to be doing stand up. I really have no idea what’s going to come next on my plate, but I’m just rolling with the punches and really excited because, I mean who knows? Who knows?
Click on Get Munked to access the website for "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel." Now playing citywide, click on Fandango for theater and ticket information.
Click on Anjelah Nicole Johnson to find out more about the artist, including upcoming tour dates, performance clips and more.
Keep reading the Personalities page on Examiner.com for your favorite celebrity interviews and the latest industry news.
A little Johnson goes a long way in this promotional clip.
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