Anjelah Johnson brings comedy show back to Modesto

Anjelah Johnson said becoming a comedian was a fluke.

She took an entertainment class at a church because it was free and wrote her first joke.

In 2007, she posted “Nail Salon” on YouTube, and the video went viral.

“It started blowing up my spot and propelled me to where I am today,” Johnson said. “People saw this video and requested me at shows and clubs. Doors just kept opening for me.”

She will perform another sold-out show at the Gallo Center for the Arts on Saturday. Her last appearance at the venue in 2012 was also a sellout.

Johnson was born and raised in San Jose and is a former Oakland Raiders cheerleader. During her time as a Raiderette, she was named “Rookie of the Year” and performed at the Super Bowl in 2003.

She’s also appeared in films such as “Our Family Wedding” and on television in “Ugly Betty” and “The Shield.”

Johnson said she likes to keep it real with the audience.

“You can do a character that’s silly and people laugh, but when you’re relatable, you can see it on their faces that they’ve had the same experiences,” Johnson said. “I don’t see it as performing for someone. I see it as linking arms with them and sharing together. Let’s experience this and let’s talk about it.”

She said fans will see material she’s known for and she’ll give a sneak peek of “Bon Qui Qui,” a disgruntled fast-food worker’s hip-hop album.

Johnson said the idea for the album came from her husband, rapper Manwell Reyes of Group 1 Crew.

“We noticed Bon Qui Qui had a cult following because people would dress like her at my shows. We thought, ‘What do we do with this character who was on MADtv, then off the show?’” Johnson said. “My husband said, ‘Why don’t we make her into a rapper?’ So we recorded the song, shot the music video and said, ‘Let’s see what happens.’”

“Gold Plated Dreams” was released recently and the video for the first single “I’m a Cut You” has more than 3 million views on YouTube.

Johnson said she doesn’t have a singing background, and performing as Bon Qui Qui is a little nerve-wracking.

A singing tour is in the works for the summer, she said.

“It’s something I’ve never done before, but I love this character who is so her own and unique. That takes a little bit of pressure off me to be this perfect musician,” Johnson said.

“She’s known for her outlandish attributes, so for me it’s acting. Singing and rapping is fun. I get down at karaoke, so I can do my thing.”

This story was originally published April 8, 2015 at 5:00 PM with the headline "Anjelah Johnson brings comedy show back to Modesto."