Anjelah Johnson

Johnson moved to Los Angeles in 2005 to pursue a career in comedy after a friend suggested that she join a joke-writing class.[1] She took improv classes,[1][2] 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.[1] 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.[1] 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.[1] In 2008, Johnson was nominated for an ALMA Award for Outstanding Female Performance in a Comedy Television Series for her work on MADtv.[3]

Johnson was given her own one-hour Comedy Central special, Anjelah Johnson: That's How We Do It, in 2009.[4] She also appeared in the films Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel and Our Family Wedding, and provided her voice for the live-action adaptation of Marmaduke.[3] 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.[5] In 2012, Johnson became the national campaign spokesperson for the "Don't be an S.O.V." (single occupant vehicle) campaign led by vRide,[6] the country's largest van pooling company, which encouraged single commuters (S.O.V.s) to rideshare, carpool, or vanpool.

Johnson as Bon Qui Qui at the McAllen Convention Center in 2016

In 2013, Johnson reprised her role as her MADtv character Bon Qui Qui for a skit released by Alexander Wang. Johnson's second stand-up comedy special titled Homecoming Show followed and premiered on Netflix. It was filmed in San Jose, California.

In 2014, Anjelah was featured as her signature character Bon Qui Qui in a parody music video directed by Randal Kirk II "This Is How We Do It" for the Benefit cosmetics, which features social media influencer, Britney Furlan.[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.

Johnson was born and raised in San Jose, California, in a devout Christian family and remains a Christian.[2] 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;[9] she also practiced hip hop and break dancing.[9] She began acting as a senior in high school and was especially interested in imitating different accents.[9] She later studied speech communications at De Anza College.[9][10] She subsequently became a cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders after being inducted in 2002.[9] As a member of the Oakland Raiderettes, she was named Rookie of the Year and performed at Super Bowl XXXVII.

Johnson married Group 1 Crew member Manwell Reyes on June 11, 2011, in Half Moon Bay, California.[11] Previously, she stated the couple did not want children of their own, although they enjoy spending time with their nieces and nephews.[12] On December 29, 2022 the couple announced they were expecting a baby in 2023.[13] Johnson gave birth to the couple's daughter Rosalie Harlow Reyes on June 14, 2023.[14]

As Bon Qui Qui:

• Official website
• Anjelah Johnson at IMDb
• Anjelah Johnson at AllMusic
• Anjelah Johnson at AllMovie