GETTING OUT

Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, a former Los Angeles Raiders cheerleader, was a fledging standup comic when her YouTube clip "Nail Salon" attracted a reported 100 million views.

Her character of a Vietnamese-American nail salon employee named My Linh/Tammy changed her life, Johnson-Reyes said in a telephone interview with the Journal from Los Angeles.

"I had nothing to my name and then I'm on a hit TV show and touring the country," she said.

Johnson-Reyes performs shows at 6 and 9 p.m. Feb. 3 at the Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton. For ticket information and reservations, go to http://www.littlecreek.com.

Johnson-Reyes was born and raised in San Jose, California. When she was 20, she spent a year performing as a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Raiders. Then she moved to Los Angeles.

"I thought I was just going to be an actress," she said.

Instead, she took a free writing class at her church. And that's where My Linh/Tammy was born 16 years ago.

Johnson-Reyes said the character was born from her experience. She said San Jose has the largest Vietnamese population outside of Vietnam. "I grew up around Vietnamese people and the accent was relatable to me," she said.

In the clip, in which she plays both characters, Johnson-Reyes is getting a manicure at the shop Beautiful Nail by My Linh/Tammy. Sample dialogue:

Tammy: "You like long or short nail?"

Her: "Uh, short nail, please."

Tammy: "Oh honey, that why you have no boyfriend."

The instant success of the clip "was awesome." she recalled. She immediately got an agent and started auditioning for TV shows. In 2007, she joined the cast of "MADtv," then in its 13th season. On that show, she introduced her character Bon Qui Qui, a rude fast food worker.

Reyes-Johnson has also acted on episodes of "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Life & Beth" and "Superstore." She's featured in the film, "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel." Last year, she acted in five episodes of "Yes We Cannabis."

The comic has recorded six comedy specials. She said she is influenced by the comics Brian Regan and Ellen DeGeneres. "Any kind of storyteller is very inspirational," she said.

Johnson-Reyes recently published her first book, "Who Did I Think I Am: Stories of Chola Wishes and Caviar Dreams." She said it was fun to revisit experiences.

"It was very therapeutic," she said. "I was pretty honest in my book."

The comic seven months ago became a first-time mother with the birth of her daughter. That experience is being incorporated into her act.

During her current tour, Johnson-Reyes is developing a new show, she said. So will Tammy make an appearance at the Shelton shows?

"I think at this point she has to ... This is the joke that put me on the map."

IF YOU GO:

WHO: Comedian/actress Anjelah Johnson-Reyes

WHEN: 6 and 9 p.m. Feb. 3

WHERE: Little Creek Casino Resort

TICKET INFORMATION: http://www.littlecreek.com