By Bel Hernandez
Hollywood, CA — ABC has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to showcasing and embracing Latino talent – to some great results.
Can we say Eva Longoria? Not only did ABC help create the mega-star Longoria, but the network was also home to the longest running, and most successful sitcom starring a Latino, George Lopez. They developed Sofia Vergara’s career until she finally hit gold in the role of Gloria in the hit sitcom Modern Family. They were behind the groundbreaking Ugly Betty, which starred America Ferrera and was executive produced by Silvio Horta and Salma Hayek. Last year they took a look at John Leguizamo pilot, before ultimately passing on it, but their record speaks volumes.
So, move over Vergara and make room for comedienne Cristela Alonzo who is next in line to vie for the new ABC Latina crown.
Busting through above all the other comedians in a relatively short time, Alonzo had definitely caught the attention of the right people. She was voted “One of The 50 Comedians You Should and WILL Know” by New York Magazine’s Vulture.com and was invited to perform at the Bonnaroo Music Festival and the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal.
Originally from San Juan, Texas, Alonzo has appeared on Conan, Gabriel Iglesias’ Stand-Up Revolution, Showtime’s Legally Brown, Last Comic Standing and Live at Gotham.
Cristela is one of the most popular stand-up comedians in the college circuit. She has showcased at the NACA (National Association of Campus Activities) national convention in Charlotte, NC, and was the most requested act of the convention. In the past three years, she has performed for almost 300 colleges.
Alonzo has also written for Comedy Central, MSNBC.COM, won awards (including Best Film at the Boston Comedy Festival) for TGIF: The Musical, which she wrote. Latina.com named one of her sketches “Five Funniest Sketches Of The Decade.”
Alonzo calls herself an American Latina and it is those experiences that will be the basis of the pilot which she co-wrote with writer-producer Kevin Hench. She also serves as one of the producers and will be producing along with Hench, Marty Adelstein and Shawna Levy (of Laps/Adelstein who also have Last Man Standing at ABC).
Alonzo recently made her acting debut on FX’s Sons Of Anarchy and taped her first stand-up special, The Half Hour, which recently premiered on Comedy Central.
Alonzo is repped by Andy Corren Management.
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