by Drew Wilson
Johnson began her career with a splash with one of the most successful viral videos of all-time, 'Nail Salon' but she may be best known from her time on MADtv as Bon Qui Qui, the King Burger employee who would cut you for placing a complicated order.
I had the chance recently to talk to Anjelah about her upcoming Denver appearances, why everybody thinks she's a lesbian, and the possibility of bringing Bon Qui Qui to the big screen.
Drew: Hey Anjelah, welcome back to Denver!
Anjelah Johnson: Thank you. It's been a couple of years since I was in Denver. I liked it there but it was colder than what I'm used to.
I'm afraid it's gonna be cold this time too.
I know. What is it, like, six degrees or something ridiculous?
Yeah. You're gonna freeze, girl.
I know! I don't know what I'm gonna do. Should I buy some longjohns? I predict I'm going to be completely unprepared for Colorado weather.
Anjelah, I have to tell you that I'm personally looking forward to seeing your show because, like every other gay man in the world, I'm a huge fan of Bon Qui Qui.Thank you!
How did the character of Bon Qui Qui come about?Well, Bon Qui Qui is part my alter-ego, and a little bit of a lot of peole I've met throughout my life, but mostly she's a girl I encountered at a Burger King drive-through in Memphis, Tennesee. She was a mess. And another part of Bon Qui Qui is my little brother, who happens to be a ghetto-fabulous gay man.
You may not know this but pretty much every gay man in the world quotes that sketch pretty much every day. Are you aware of how much the gays love Bon Qui Qui? Yeah, it's crazy. I am aware that the gay community loves Bon Qui Qui and I love it but I think I have even more of a lesbian following because they think I'm a lesbian a little bit.
Why do they think that? Are you?
No, but I asked a girl one time. She had messaged me on myspace - this was when myspace was hot - and she was like 'Um, are you a lesbian?' and I said, 'I'm actually not but I'm curious to find out what makes you think that I am because I do get that fairly often'. Her response was basically because in my 'Nail Salon' video I wear my hair in a ponytail, I mention that I don't have a boyfriend, and I mention that I like my fingernails short.
Ha, well you can't blame a girl for trying!
I know! I was like 'Hmmm, that's all it took, huh?' But I love the gay community and I have my go-to gay boys that are near and dear to my heart at all times. Like, say you're getting ready to go out and you don't know if you look cute or not. I always say 'Go with your gut and then go with your gay!'
I see. And when was the last time one of your go-to gays decided you were not looking cute?
Yesterday. I was going to an audition and my brother and his best friend were at the house and I was wearing a scarf with my outfit. They didn't even say anything to me. They just full-on walked up to me, took the scarf off of me, and re-wrapped it the correct way. No words were said but the expression on their faces was all, "Oh, honey."
You know what's funny? I was let go from MADtv before that sketch became popular. They let me go during the writer's strike. There were a lot of cutbacks and budget cuts and by budget cuts, I mean me. And then, next thing you know, to everyone's surprise the sketch blows up on the internet. But it really benefited me, of course, and we've contemplated doing other things with Bon Qui Qui like possibly a movie or something but nothing's really felt quite right yet.
I'd pay to see that! If it was up to you, what would be the plot of the Bon Qui Qui movie?
Oh, hmmm, I don't know. I think maybe she would be given the opportunity of a lifetime that she really screws up and she has to redeem herself in the end.
I'd like to see her maybe start off in jail for a crime she didn't commit and have to get out and find the real criminals.
Yeah, there we go!
So, what can we expect to see from you in your show at ComedyWorks?You know, I'm very observational and I talk about a lot of stories from my life. Right now where my act is, is I bring out some of the classics from my Comedy Central special and my time on the road and the people I encounter. It's almost like taking people on a little journey with me from Hawaii to Guam to Virginia and sharing things from my life.
Do you like being on the road so much?
No. No, I don't.
Ha, so it's pretty horrible?
It's hard. There are pros and cons but some people are just cut out for the road. They love it and it brings life into them but I'm such a homebody and I love to be home with my family and friends so it's difficult for me.
Also, it's one thing if you're a guy on the road becuase you can go out with fans after the show and hang out in bars and stuff. But when your'e a girl and you're young and people want to talk to you it's hard because you have to be aware of what you might be getting into.
So Anjelah Johnson is not trying to get with groupies?
Yeah, you know what I mean. I have to be cautious. When I'm on the road I go to the club, do my show, and go back to the hotel to sleep. If I'm lucky I'll get to do some sightseeing and that can be fun. I just started working with a road manager so now I've got company but I used to just go by myself.
But it pays off. I love when people come up to me after a show and let me know how I've impacted their lives. It makes it all worth it and reminds you why you do what you do. You know, I don't wake up at four in the morning and go to the airport to wait in line for two hours for myself, I do it for my fans.
What message do you have for readers of MHGG and why should they be sure to come see you at ComedyWorks?
You know what? It's gonna be a great time and it's just all love. My show is just basically love and stories of my life and I invite you all into my life and eveyrbody is welcomed, accepted, and loved.
Anjelah Johnson will be appearing at ComedyWorks in Larimer Square January 13-16. You can follow her online at twitter.com/anjelahjohnson or at www.Anjelah.com. For tickets to the show or more information, call 303-595-3637 or visit www.comedyworks.com.
