THE RIGHT IMPRESSION
SNL’s Melissa Villaseñor makes inroads with celebrity mimicry
Growing up, Melissa Villaseñor was, in her words, “the shy kid.” Finding her own voice at an all-girl Catholic high school in Southern California proved tricky, so she tried borrowing some others.
At a talent show during her sophomore year, Villaseñor showcased a sextet of singing impressions: Alanis Morissette, Avril Lavigne, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Shakira and — in the wake of Moulin Rouge — Ewan McGregor.
“All the girls just found me so funny,” Villaseñor says with a touch of faux bravado. “It felt very exciting to find something that made me feel powerful and unique.”
After working the L.A. openmike circuit in her early 20s, Villaseñor broke through with a deep run on America’s Got Talent in 2011.
Five years later, she landed a job on Saturday Night Live, becoming the first Latina cast member in the show’s fourdecade history.
While the 30-year-old is making a name for herself as a chameleon-like master of voices and personas, she’s also embracing her standup roots on the road.
Q What appeals to you about standup in contrast to sketch comedy?
A I can open up my heart and connect with people in the crowd. It’s that connection, the human connection — that’s the best.
And I feel that when I do sketches too, but I think when I can open up my story onstage for a while, it’s really special. Sometimes when I don’t go onstage for, let’s say, a week, I begin to get sad because I need that connection.
Q How would you describe your style onstage?
A Dorky comedy, clean comedy, family-oriented, nerdy, a lot of references to celebrities and music.
I’d say it’s a colourful set because I talk about my life, and I think it’s a very lighthearted, fun set. Some of my bits are dark, but they’re all silly. And it’s not an only-impressions set. Some people come to my shows and they’re like, “I thought you were only going to do impressions?” And I’m like, “No, buddy.”
Q How much did becoming SNL’s first Latina cast member resonate with you?
A It never crossed my mind. Once everyone was saying, “Oh, the first Latina,” I thought, “That’s really awesome.” I felt very proud, but I don’t pressure myself. I have some standup bits that are about my family and my abuelita, but most of my standup isn’t Latino-based.
Q Do you address the political climate in your set?
A Never. It’s not funny to me, and it doesn’t make me laugh. It makes me confused and it gives me headaches.
Q It must be tempting to relax during your summer off from SNL, but you’re still hitting the road to hone your standup.
A Well, I’m in a flow right now where I’m very creative and I feel very free being me, and it’s nice to get to that place.
If I’m dating someone and it clouds my brain, or if there’s something going on that’s clouding me, then I can’t feel that excitement onstage.
Right now, I’m feeling very good, so I just want to do standup while I can.
I’m on the road, and I want to get a special out there. I feel I’m now reminded again that I have gifts to share, to bring light and joy to people, and I want to keep doing that.