Interview: Melissa Villaseñor uplifts us with her Dolly Parton impersonation

The SNL alumni who was the very first Latina main cast member talked about how this is her first time performing at Comedy Work downtown after having performed at the South club, how her TED talk came about where she discussed finding her voice among all the impersonations and voices she does, and even shared some positive affirmations as Dolly Parton with a small dose of “Jolene”!

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From Comedy Works:Melissa Villaseñor broke barriers by becoming the first-ever Latina cast member of Saturday Night Live. A comedic impressions expert, she got her start as a semifinalist on America’s Got Talent. Some of Melissa’s most memorable SNL impressions include Owen Wilson, Lady Gaga, and Dolly Parton.

An accomplished voice actor, she has voiced characters on several television shows including Nickelodeon’s OK K.O.! and Rock, Paper, Scissors, and in films Toy Story 4 and Wreck It Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks the Internet, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination. Melissa was a guest on Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, and can be seen in Barry, Crashing, and Awkwafina is Nora From Queens, to name a few.

Her multihyphenate talents range even further. Melissa hosted the 2021 Independent Spirit Awards, published a self-help journal ‘Whoops, I’m Awesome’, recorded two music albums, had a Netflix special, and creates fine art.

Some of Melissa’s acknowledgements include Forbes “30 Under 30”, Rolling Stone’s “50 Funniest People Right Now”, and CNN’s “Women in Comedy”.