different. for me, i'm a storyteller, so i feelere's always a m amen. ♪ beginning, middle and end. the part where is i've been confused is if i reamange something and i switch it around. that's when i get in my head and i'm like, let me write my notes down and i'll have any notebook to remind me of the order of hello and welcome to "comunidad del valle." i'm damian trujillo. stories. after a while, i get in like a we have a very special surprise for you on today's show. routine, like i know my vibe, my stay tuned on your "comunidad del valle." chemistry, i know when i say this, i have a body movement. >> nbc bay area presents and it all works together and it feels familiar. "comunidad del valle" with damian trujillo. and there's been times when i've done a call back to a joke that >> and here is that special i forgot to do. surprise. joining us for the first time, and so like i'm doing this call making her cameio appearance on back, which means like i'll "comunidad del valle" is anjelah reiterate the punchline i said johnson. welcome to the show. >> hello. earlier on in the show. thank you for having me. i did it and nobody laughed. andmm, that's >> big fan. the kids are big fans, and it's weird. and then i asked the audience, i wonderful to see where you've

gone. said, did not do that joke about >> thank you. i'm a big fan of yours. the bla, bla, bla. growing up a san jose girl. they're like no. >> i appreciate that. i'm like, oopse, never mind, well, we can't avoid the forget that. sometimes it happens. elephant in the room, and that and it's a special moment with me and the audience at that is what's happening around the point, because they got country. your thoughts on what you've something special that nobody seen and how this country has else for sure got. reacted to that. >> we're talking that comedian >> you know, it's heavy. it is really heavy emotionally, anjelah johnson on "comunidad del valle." we'll be right back. stay with us. - [narrator] did you just reward yourself spiritually. for spending a perfectly reasonable amount i've been taking this time of time on the couch with tacos from grubhub? myself to listen and learn and grubhub's gonna reward you for that with a $5 off perk. research and learn things that i (doorbell rings) - [crowd] grubhub! probably should have learned a long time ago. (fireworks exploding) but i'm just taking time to listen and learn and feel with my fellow man, my fellow people, just humans, we are feeling something right now, and it's heavy. so instead of avoiding it, we have to address it, you know in >> i think a lot of us who,

including myself, who thought we grew up knowing everything that's happening, being victims of it sometimes, it was an eye opener for us, as well. i think we're realizing that we always knew were there, but now they're smacking us in the face. >> yeah. and now is the time. now is the time. we can't let this pass and sweep anything under the rug. now is the time to really deal with our own internal things and how we can keep our community accountable. >> yeah. when i was out there may 29th, she's a few years older than san jose had their protests and they got violent, and i remember my stepdad, and she thinks she's saying live that, you know, a cougar. ceasar chavez was living just a #cougarsbelike. few blocks from where we were i'm like, remax, mom, you're when they took over the highway five days older. and breaking windows and scaring >> we're back with anjelah drivers and what not. johnson on "comunidad del valle." talk about your san jose roots, you know, ceasar chavez was a you know, talk about your time in san jose. master of protests, but he would not agree with those kinds of >> you know, i grew up born and protests going on.

when they turned violent, i raised in san jose. think, and i tell people i love my roots. you talk to some people sometimes and they're like, movement wants to put forth. either they can't wait to get >> sure. and i of history. out of their hometown or don't want to go back to their hometown. that's not the case with me. the message to be heard, and i come back as much as i can. my family is there, my roots is there's always something to there, my favorite restaurants are there. my streets, my memories. hijag it, an angle, there's i love san jose and, yes, she always a message to be heard. as long as we do our part to focus on that message and making sure that we pay attention to just turned 100 years old. she was one of the original rosy it, and do what needs to be the riveters. done, it's just going to be hard for a while. we celebrated her birthday and you covered it. i think it has to be, because when you're comfortable, nothing changes. >> yeah. she was just so honored and i very true. think it meant more than if we well, that's the difficult had a big party for her if it conversation. let's lighten it up a little wasn't quarantine, i think this was so special that she would bit, if you don't mind. have never had before. when it comes to comedy, i know that sometimes when i'm going >> what makes her be part of a to -- in the middle of the

night, i'll come up with a story routine of your performance? idea for the next day. she's such a loving person. if i don't write it down, i might forget it when i wake up she shoots off the hip and she in the morning. when you're writing your comedy, says what she feels. >> you know, she -- i talk about is it the same thing? do you wake up and not want to my life. everything in my life. i talk about my mom, my dad, my realize that great idea in the middle of the night? >> mine is more in the shower siblings, my marriage, my dog. and when i'm driving. i talk about my life. when i'm shampooing, i'm and being married with such a thinking of so many good ideas, big part of my life. so it makes sense i would talk i have to remember to write that about her. she's my grandmother's sister. down. when i'm driving, i learn to do my grandmother passed away in voice notes and save my ideas 2001, and she was one of my best friends and i loved her dearly. and record myself talking. so i feel like if my grandmother was still here, we might not and i have been in the shower, have been hearing so much about thought of a good idea and wrote being -- so much about bee, nit the steam of the shower wall just so i wouldn't forget it. >> and it takes the memorization because she became my when you're going from one topic to another, and you transition, it's not easy. grandmother. you're up there and the room is so they are both such important parts of my life. packed, the hall is packed, the

again, my roots, my heritage, my auditorium is packed, and you're blood. on. how do you memorize those >> yeah, absolutely. transitions? how do you go from one top toik in my profession as a the journalist, i tell people that you have to be -- you have to want to know gossip, the first one to know, the first one to tell. how were you as a kid? were you always the class clown, the funny one in class, the one that made everybody laugh? >> what's funny is i was very shy growing up. i was so shy, my preschool photo, i'm like this standing. that's how i took my preschool photo, because i didn't want nobody to look at me. i was just closed off, shy. once i started cheer leading, i came out of my bubble. and i was like, i'm a performer. but i grew up very shy, but then i would perform for my family and things like that. as far as, like, being the funny

one of the family, i'm actually not. i would say my brother is the funny one who -- he's not a performer, but when you get him in his space safe in his circle, it's just zingers left and right. that's how my dad is. my dad is like mr. zinger. my grand pa, mr. zinger. i just made a profession out of it, but my whole family is pretty funny. >> i can imagine the thanksgiving dinners at your home. you talk about your cheer leading days. as a raiderette, how high of a cloud were you on when you were on -- at the coliseum and cheering on the s black? >> listen, i -- using it as my sign to pursue the entertainment industry. i was, like, i didn't know what i wanted to do with my life. i was going to college at the time, and i wanted to be an

actress, but i would never say it out loud, because i was ashamed. because it seemed so far-fetched. and the audacity i would have to say that i wanted to be something as big as an actress. they don't film things in san jose. the audacity i would have to say something that big. so i tucked that away in my heart. and i had a friend twwho moved hollywood and she started acting and dancing and muse yik videos and she was like, if you move to l. arm, l.a., i will show you the ropes. so this far-fetched fantasy was now within reach. so i had a friend trying out for the oakland raiders. she told me you should come try out. i thought i'm going to try out and i'm going to use it as my

sign. if i make the squad, i'll do it for one year, and then move to hollywood and pursue my dream. if i don't make it, i'll know entertainment is not my route. i drove to oakland by myself. i tried out with 700 girls. i made the squad and that year was the best year to pick to be a cheerleader for oakland. we went to the super bowl that year. and we went to hawaii to film a calendar photo shoot. and i got home from the super bowl and the very next weekend i packed up my troom, aroom, and in my hand me down station wagon and drove to l.a. and i've been here ever since. i started from the ground up as an extra and worked my way up. and my friend kept her word. she taught me how to get started and keep going. here i am today, about 16 years later, pursuing my dreams. but still so connected to my roots and where it comes from. >> and you're making older

women, little girls, middle aged men laugh. that has to be so rewarding. >> i love that my audience is so diverse, from age, sex, ethnicity. it's all over the place. and i love that, because i feel like that's a reflection of me. and my love for people. so it's really cool to look at my audience and see everyone represented. >> all right. we're talking with san jose native anjelah johnson here on "comunidad del valle." we'll be back. >> i think technology is moving a little too fast for them. even leaving a message, like the pay grandparents leave messages on cell phones, as if it's an answering machine at home that one, hello?

are you there? and then they get mad at you because they think you're purposefully not answering. we're here for you and we're open. wow. i'm an original. one of a kind. you feel me? love ya'. oop! you look cute! better than you? pop my 100% all-white-meat classic or spicy popcorn chicken combo for just $5.99.

my new bite-sized, crispy popcorn chicken is so irresistible you'll want them whenever, so don't resist!

pop 'em while you game, hang, or do your thing. pop my 100% all-white-meat classic so her american name is tammy. you have boyfriend? no, no, i don't have a boyfriend. money, why you don't have? it's okay, i do for you. it's better for you. only $4 more, that's okay. do you like this gel? what? >> we're back here on "comunidad del valle" withnjelah johnson. everybody's been by this covid epidemic, affected one way or another. your industry, you know, sure has been. how difficult is it not to be

able to go on that stage and make people laugh, especially in a time like this? >> you know, you're right. in a time like this is when we need to laugh most. but i'll be honest, it has been for me a nice break and a breath of fresh air to not be on a plane traveling. i've been touring for 13 years non-stop. and it's been a breath of fresh air for me to be home in this place that i call my home, that i would rarely get to see. and to -- for a while, i got to grocery shop a little bit. it was like, no, we're going to do online orders. but i take for granted things that i love to do and just like be home, go to my grocery store, go on a walk in my neighborhood. so i've been enjoying that actually. >> i see your instagram posts,

and your husband is hilarious. you guys make an awesome team. >> thank you. >> talk about how you two click, it seems like you two click and he gives you fire and you give him fire. >> oh, for sure. we definitely bounce off of each other and he loves it when people think that he's funny, so i'm going to tell him you said that. he's like, people need to know i'm funny, too. but, yeah, he definitely brings out the best in me and i like to think i do that for him. he's such a great partner. you kn mexican. we have a lot of learning to do. you would think oh, you're so similar, both latino. no, we're not that similar after all. i started writing jokes about him and how i loved spicy food and he can't even handleputs ke

put salsa on everything. it's just -- it's interesting to see hour differences and how we actually bring the best out of each other. yeah, i'm very lucky. >> we love watching it. >> thank you. >> has this time off allowed you to maybe rewrite, rethink of how you write? i can't wait to see what y'all come out with once this is all over and you start hitting the stage again. >> listen, i can't wait to see either. i don't even -- everything is going to shift and change a little bit. and i'm okay with that, because things need to shift and change. in all areas. so of course, i'm still going to be a storyteller and sharing those things. i don't know what stories -- i mean, we're all going to have some quarantine stories.

maybe i'll tell stories about my tik tok dances. these 14-year-olds that know how to do all the crazy edits, i've never felt so old in my life. i can't figure this out. my husband and i tried to figure it out together, and that will lead to divorce if you don't handle it correctly. but it's -- who knows what stories we're going to be telling. >> you guys have the choreography down with it. my kids are my i.t. department here at home. they can figure out how to do this interview and others. so they're just amazing. speaking of angela, maybe to those little there who are getting into talent shows and maybe think they want to be the next anjelah? >> you know, i would say

whatever dream you have in your heart, whether that's to be an actress, a dancer, to have your own store, your own clothe kg line, whatever it is, you want e a chef, whatever it is, do you and do you well. because there is no one like you. there can be people that look like you, the same hair color as you, you may look similar. but nobody has your trauma. nobody has your victories. nobody has your overcoming. nobody has your parents. nobody has your siblings. nobody has that thing that happened to you when you were in third grade. nobody has all of the things that make up who you are. your perspective, your point of view, your heart, your character. so when you show up to do whatever it is that you want to do, do you and do you well to the best of your ability. don't try to be somebody else,

because what you have is so unique and special and only you carry that. >> awesome. last question for you, i interviewed another comedian a few years ago that shall remain nameless. he said in comedy, it's easy to hit the easy button when you pull out the expletives and use other forms that may be insulting to others as comedy. it must be easy to keep it clean. >> you know, i feel like however you speak in life, this comes back to do you, and do you well. whatever is in your language and mannerisms, that's what you take to the stage. you don't try to be something else that you're not. so i feel like, sure, it can be the easy way. or the hard way, depending on who you are as a person. for me, i just do me. and so that's what comes out on stage, and i love that by me

just doing me, i get to -- the old ones come, the young ones come. >> keep doing you, because it's hilarious. any final thoughts before i let you go? >> i thank you. thank you for having me today. mother in special and a big san jose, who celebrated a birthday this past week. happy birthday, mom. i love you. >> thank you, i appreciate your time. you take care and be safe. >> bye. >> we'll be back on "comunidad del valle." stay with us. if you love peanut butter most, this cup has your name on it. if you love chocolate most, this cup has your name on it. not literally, that would be a logistical nightmare. especially if we used last names- woo, then we'd have to do both sides. reese's lovers. yeah, they're back.

you take a little paradise with you. voluptuous volume, intense length. only one mascara can take your lashes to paradise. lash paradise mascara. from l'oréal paris. you're worth it. thank you once again for watching us on "comunidad del valle." next week, tune in. it's the first latino president and ceo of an nhl franchise. a president of the arizona coyotes. he's a san jose native, he'll be on our show next week. we're going to lighten the mood a little bit and give you a little comedy with anjelah johnson. >> my husband and i, we're still

real new. we just got married last summer. we had just moved in together and we're still figuring each other. like the little things we do, our little rules that we have, right? like for instance, my toothbrush, right? i like to be the only one that uses my toothbrush. [ laughter ] this guy, i don't know how he grew up, maybe they were on a budget or something. [ laughter ] but he comes to me the other day, hey, babe, can i use your toothbrush real quick? i said, what? like, you're he's like what? it's like kissing, it's the same thing.

mmm, i do not scrape off your tartar with my tongue. [ cheers and applause ] i mean, i know i'm pretty amazing. but i'm almost positive i cannot prevent cavities. my husband likes to leave his shoes right in the middle of the walkway. like as soon as you open up the door, boom, shoes. now, you couldn't kick them off to the side? that was hard to do? so all throughout the house, i just trip over shoes. [ laughter ] we're still real new. so i have to look cute when i sleep.

i'll probably grow out of that one real quick. right now, i still try to look cute. but it's kind of hard, because i sleep with invisiline trays in my mouth. so sometimes when i wake up my lip will get stuck to the plastic tray and i wake up looking like fire marshall bill. like, let me show you something. my faith will be all greasy. that's not cute. so when i feel myself starting to wake up, i'll fix my life real quick. i put grease on my lip like it's gloss. make it work. of time on the couch with tacos from grubhub? grubhub's gonna reward you for that with a $5 off perk. (doorbell rings) - [crowd] grubhub! (fireworks exploding)

(announcer) who can you always rely on to be there when you need immediate help? any time of the day or night, even when you're hundreds of miles away from home, always giving you and your family peace of mind with people, benefits, and services always there for you to make your life a little easier? a company you know is always with you. aaa, a company built by and for members. (sentimental music) hi there, i'm jeff thisted. chances are you know about aaa's legendary roadside service, but you might be surprised at what you don't know about aaa. so come along and discover how aaa not only gives you peace of mind, but helps you enjoy life's little pleasures for a whole lot less.