As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Ashlee Sandoval. The Los Angeles, CA native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Ashlee Sandoval (La Ashlee)
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @LaAshleeeeeee
Years in Comedy: 1
Comedic Influences: Jim Carrey, Anjelah Johnson, Tiffany Haddish, Rob Schneider, & Jose “HOOZAY” Velasquez
Favorite Comedy Special: Anjelah Johnson “Say I Won’t”
Favorite Comedy Movie: The Hot Chick
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Friends
Favorite Comedic Character: Jim Carrey as The Grinch
Favorite City to Perform In: Los Angeles
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Latinos
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Everyone
Favorite Comedy Club: Ice House Comedy Club (Pasadena)
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I worked as a flight attendant and started making jokes in air with over 200 passengers, turns out they loved my jokes! All of my passengers encouraged me to go for it after every flight.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
Being surrounded and encouraged by a very supportive group of comedians!
How would you describe your comedic style:
Cultural and modern. I love to represent my cultural background of being Salvadoran, and being able to make relatable jokes through culture and everyday experiences.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I’ve based it on Living in the moment and having relatable experiences. I usually write down anything I find funny throughout the day.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
It’s very populated and crowded. Everywhere you go, from open mics to stand-up comedy shows, there are aspiring comedians.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
To me, success in comedy means performing a good set and enjoying those moments with the public, being accepted for who I am, and my sense of humor.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Throughout my journey, I have met and performed with many comedians who have influenced & inspired me: Jose “Hoozay” Velázquez, Nelson Echeverría, Nikole Denise, J Valentino, Russell Navarrette, Emily N Kirk, London Lee, Stevona Delgado, & Daisy Roxx
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
My most memorable moment has been performing at a live comedy show in front of my parents for the first time. They had never seen any of my performances, so when that day came, I was so nervous about what they would say. Surprisingly, they loved everything about it. Which was shocking because most of my set was making fun of and talking shit about them and about how they raised me.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
I have learned that there will be good days and bad ones. Every set won’t be perfect, nor will you get the outcome you’d expect, but just flow with what is thrown your way.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
Astonished. Intrigued. Excited.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
The best way I can describe it is being at the right place and time.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
If you work hard and put in the time, your work will show it. There’s nothing you can’t change but yourself, so if you feel that you’re not good enough, you either fight for it or forget about it. Nobody will grab you by the hand and throw you on stage with a mic, so if you want it, you go for it. It is just that simple.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
GIVE IT ALL YOU GOT. Whether it’s funny or not, you give it your all. Don’t give up, work hard and keep getting up there as much as you can! Practice makes perfect. – Nelson Echeverría “Nelsito El Gordito”
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
I would call it “NOW BOARDING, flight 503 Destination: Desvergue✈️🇸🇻”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
The funniest encounter I’ve ever had has to be when I was commuting as a flight attendant. I was trying to catch a flight for another airline, and Chris Tucker’s manager approached me, asking me how he could board first even though he didn’t have priority boarding. I looked at him and said I don’t know I don’t work here. He looked at me up and down and said aren’t you a stewardess? Chris Tucker eyeballed me, and I stared back at him and said yeah, but you peasants don’t have priority boarding. They both laughed. And Chris Tucker gave me the thumbs up and said that was funny. Keep it up.
An Ashlee Sandoval Fun Fact:
I ride motorcycles. I own a Harley Davidson, Lowrider S.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I want to go as far as selling out stadiums, theaters, big stages, and having my own tour, performing with my favorite comedians that I’ve looked up to and introducing new ones to the world. I want to perform worldwide!
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Be confident in yourself and in your jokes. After all, it is your story.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I feel like we are a growing community. There are so many people who are coming out of the shadows and past comedians who are coming back and making a huge comeback, which is admirable and always welcomed.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU: I would have loved to work with Amanda Bynes. Her humor and comedy were everything during that time.
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
HOLLYWOOD IMPROV w/ Anjelah Johnson, Tiffany Haddish, & Matt Rife w/ a special guest: HOOZAY
What’s next for you:
Whatever the future presents! It’s all up from here!
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Because life shouldn’t be taken seriously, there will always be ups and downs, and you should keep moving forward!
Follow Ashlee Sandoval’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Ashlee Sandoval