Melissa Villaseñor, former SNL cast member, talks about her early days in comedy and how she reluctantly auditioned for America's Got Talent. They also discuss her music, art, and inspirations like Maria Bamford and Shel Silverstein.
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Quick takeaways
Attending the Laugh Factory Comedy Camp at 15 provided Melissa Villaseñor with an opportunity to showcase her talents on stage and receive feedback from professional comedians.
Auditioning for America's Got Talent helped Melissa gain exposure and quit her part-time job at Forever 21.
Melissa Villaseñor's time on Saturday Night Live allowed her to grow as a comedian, explore different comedic abilities, and represent the Latino community.
Deep dives
Starting with Laugh Factory Comedy Camp
At the age of 15, Melissa Villasenor attended the Laugh Factory Comedy Camp, which provided an opportunity for kids to showcase their talents on stage and receive feedback from professional comedians such as George Wallace and Dan Cook.
Talent Show and America's Got Talent
After performing stand-up in a talent show at her high school and receiving positive feedback, Melissa Villasenor auditioned for America's Got Talent. Despite initial fears, the experience on the show helped her gain exposure and eventually quit her part-time job at Forever 21.
Difficulties with Headlining
After America's Got Talent, Melissa Villasenor struggled to develop a full headlining set, often finding herself with only 15 minutes of material. This led to challenging experiences on the road, performing in venues such as colleges and cafeterias, feeling unprepared and sometimes bombing.
Transition and Reflection
Following a period of low bookings and feeling the need for change, Melissa Villasenor transitioned to take acting classes and parted ways with her manager. She also embarked on new experiences, such as performing at the Vans Warped Tour comedy tent, which provided a sense of fun and camaraderie.
Melissa Villaseñor's Journey on SNL
Melissa Villaseñor discusses her experience on Saturday Night Live (SNL), highlighting the pressure and challenges she faced. She shares that while she was grateful for the opportunity, she often felt the need to prove herself and convince others of her talent. Melissa expresses that she struggled with the constant requirement to come up with new ideas and impressions every week, and she felt the weight of representing both herself and the Latino community on the show. Despite the difficulties, she acknowledges that her time on SNL allowed her to grow as a comedian and gave her the chance to explore different areas of her comedic abilities, such as writing and performing comedy songs.
Melissa Villaseñor's Artistic Ventures
Melissa Villaseñor delves into her artistic ventures beyond comedy. She shares her passion for creating art, including drawings and comic books, often inspired by her dreams and imagination. Melissa explains that her art is an expression of her emotions and serves as a way to release her creativity. Additionally, she talks about her podcast, 'Laughing with Myself,' where she shares her thoughts and ideas. Melissa also mentions her TED talk, which focuses on finding her own voice amidst her vast range of impressions. Finally, she discusses her aspirations to work on a show that encompasses her unique talents while writing with her talented friends.
Melissa Villaseñor spent six seasons on Saturday Night Live and left her mark with a wide array of impressions. It was a road to success she might not have taken had she not gone to The Laugh Factory Comedy Camp when she was fifteen. Melissa and Marc talk about her early days performing and how she reluctantly auditioned for America's Got Talent, a gig that allowed her to quit her job at Forever 21 and pursue a life in comedy. They also talk about Melissa's music, her art, and her inspirations like Maria Bamford and Shel Silverstein.