Chona E Gets UNFILTERED! 😂 Comedy, Tequila & Celebrity Roasts 😂🔥E6 | S3

[00:00:09] Welcome back everybody to The Unspoken Truth. My name is Breyden Marcus and of course I've got my partner in Crime Cody Barnett right here with me. Today's guest is somebody who knows how to make people laugh, keep it real and represent her roots while doing it. From becoming a viral sensation to selling out comedy shows and even taking the stage to host the Tejano Music Awards. She's been making people laugh every step of the way. She's a wife, a mother, an actress and a comedian and she's right here in North Texas this weekend with her Hot Flash and Furious comedy tour. Today.

[00:00:39] Today and tomorrow. But we're getting to know the woman behind the laughs. We're talking life, family, fame, struggles and everything in between. So get comfortable because you never know where this conversation is going to go. Welcome to The Unspoken Truth and everybody please welcome the hilarious, the fabulous Joanna Estrada, a.k.a. Doña Chona. Yay! What a beautiful intro. Oh yeah. Thank you. Doesn't he do it so well? That's why I leave it to him. Yeah, he did great. He did great.

[00:01:08] So we're so excited to have you. How was your flight? Flight super easy, 40 minutes from San Antonio. But tell me why I slept. Dude, I get on the plane and I sleep before it takes off. It's very rare that I do that because I hate turbulence. But I did that coming home from Albuquerque because we went out and I didn't sleep. But I'm also, I'm also that guy. I hit the airport and it's drink time. Oh yeah. You know, I get a drink or two and I'll get a drink. So you're nice and relaxed. Man, I'll sleep as soon as I hit that fucking plane.

[00:01:36] And you're the guys that I pass by and I go, oh, I'm drinking. We're not sloppy like that. Just. No. Speak for yourself. I mean, we can get sloppy, but. Not on the airplane. It depends on how long the flight is. Right. No. Yeah. We're not trying to bop that line. No, you know. Right. You're not trying to get kicked off the plane. I need to come back. Yeah. That's right. Shit. Don't tempt me with a good time. I don't need to come back. I got Delta, he said. Y'all kicked me out. Tempted. Yes. Yes.

[00:02:05] So San Antonio, is that where you live? Yeah. That's where I live. That's where I'm from. And you lived here before. Yeah. I moved to Dallas in 2007. Okay. Yeah. 2007. Lived here for seven years. San Antonio afterward? Yeah. Went right back home. So where's the actual home? San Antonio. You went back home. Yeah. I went back home. All right. Awesome. We're all Texas natives, huh? Yeah. A hundred percent. It's the best place to be. Yes. Absolutely.

[00:02:35] He's from the Midwest where there's nothing but dirt. Yeah. Nothing different here. I mean, I feel. I'm from the four corners way up there where there's nothing but drugs. Ice and snow. Ice and snow. Yeah. It's always cold up there. Yikes. In Amarillo. Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. All four seasons in one day. Do you really? It sucks. The blisters will be up your door and they still expect you to go to school. We'll see you when we see you. Oh. Not in Dallas. 65. Close it down.

[00:03:02] I remember when I lived here, there was a pretty gnarly snowstorm. Um, and I used to work for the doll store, American Girl. Mm-hmm. That's where I worked for, for years. And we still had to go to work because we had to bring joy to the children. Yeah. And I was with child. I was with child. So I was like, well, what about the joy in my stomach? Yeah. You guys don't give a shit that I have to drive my ass there with this big ass stomach? Yeah. I love it. So I'm going to dive in. Uh, where did the nickname Chona come from?

[00:03:30] That was a nickname my dad gave me growing up. Mm-hmm. He said I reminded him of a woman, um, that was selling alcohol out of a paleta cart in Mexico. And on Fridays, they knew she was coming. She'd be ringing her little bells and she's got her, she would stop at the job sites. It's payday Friday. So they would, all the blue collared men would stop her and get their drinks. And he said that she was just the funniest female that a man had ever seen.

[00:03:59] And he said, you remind me a lot of her, her spirit and her character as a little girl. And I was like, so you're saying that I'm an old woman that sells alcohol to the men. He's like, no, besides that, that just happened to be what she does. But she was very funny, very witty. Mm-hmm. And she just had a way of being so charismatic with her comedy. Has she always been funny and comedic, even just as a child? It's what they say. Yeah. Okay. I mean, it was really the only way to like grab people's attention. You know what I mean?

[00:04:29] And the moment that I realized like, oh, this, I can... I could do this. I could do this. I was like, I'm gonna go ahead and keep doing it. When did your career kickstart? 2018 is when I had my first viral video. And it was at that point that we were like, yeah, we got to run with this and see where we can take it. So what's it like when you have a video and it just like, you're just posting it to post it and then it just, it goes viral. Like what's that? What's... I imagine it's like hearing your song on the radio, you know, just something to that extent.

[00:04:58] Oh, 100%. Well, part of it is that my goal was that I just was hoping to get at least a thousand views on it. That was going to be crazy great. And I posted it on Labor Day and we drove to go see my mom who lived in Del Rio, Texas, which is two hours south of San Antonio. I never checked my phone after I posted it before we left because my expectations, you know? Yeah. And I guess I must've had it on silence. So by the time we were 30 minutes outside of Del Rio, it had 800,000 views. Holy crap.

[00:05:28] And I was all... Like I couldn't, my husband's driving. I was like... Like I could barely even speak. Yeah. And he's like, what? And I showed him and he's like, what the fuck? That's crazy. But what happens when that happens is immediately you think 800,000 people. I thought I was famous that day. Like, you mean, I was walking around Walmart, like everybody notices me. Y'all don't know who I am. Everybody... Where's my publicist? They just saw my video. No.

[00:05:57] And I'm like, and I'm thinking like in my head that people are staring at me and I was like, yes, I'm the girl. I'm the girl. Yeah. Yeah. That's me. But we went to, there was like a little river that goes down at Del Rio and people camp there and they swim or whatever. We happened to be out there and a lady from across the river actually walked over and said, are you that girl? And I was like, I told you. I knew it was happening. I'm like, listen, it's happening.

[00:06:26] I told my husband, you better get some security over here. They're getting wild. She didn't even know how to act. I was like, yes, you can take a picture. Come on. I love it. So that part of it, it's so crazy how quickly your head fills with... Sure. I mean, and I am not like that. If anybody who knows me personally is like, she's not like that at all. But I did, I made a few mistakes in that area where I'd see people at the grocery store staring.

[00:06:54] I'm like, yes, I know you're looking at me. Come take a picture. And they're like, I don't, I'm sorry. I don't even know who you are. I'm like, okay, get humbled real quick. So before you went viral, what was, what did you envision or what was your career before, you know, before comedy? Yeah. Now I, I honestly always had a passion to perform. I've been performing since high school in theater and you know, I went to acting school. I did all those things. So you went to Los Angeles, right? Yeah. In New York and Los Angeles. Yeah.

[00:07:22] So I, but nothing really ever happened. And that was my fault because I was young. I was dumb. I, I really enjoyed the party life more than focusing. And a job was really just a way to support me. So that way I can continue partying and whatever. So before 2018, I was a claims adjuster at an insurance company. Okay. And so, yeah, that's what I was doing. You were the one that settled my claim? Yeah. It was probably me, honey.

[00:07:51] I have fought with every attorney you can possibly think of. You've hit enough curves and had enough wrecks that she probably did. Likewise, boo. She probably did. We're like, you came out on the report for most vile claims. Yes. We're going to send your ass to fraud. It's my warning. And I see bee warning immediately. So yeah, that's what I was doing. Just living my life as a wife, as a mom. And you know, I, at that time I only had my first born. And so that was it.

[00:08:18] I was climbing the, the corporate ladder and you know, I would get a bonus. Like that was great. Like, dude, I got a fucking bonus. She's kicking ass at work. You know what I mean? Yeah. And I'm never thinking in a million years that this desire to perform would just happen. Kick off like it did. Yeah. How many kids do you have? I have two. Do either of them follow you in comedy? Comedy? Comedy. That's a good one. I like comedy. Comedy. The little one.

[00:08:47] My 16 year old is, she's a scholar. She's honor student. She's all that. My little one is, is a straight A student as well, but she's very witty. Just naturally. And so. Yeah. She gets that for me. My oldest is pretty witty. Yeah. And it's so fun to watch your children. She's such a little, she's mean. Well, so is Quinn. I want to say what I wanted to say. Yeah. No, they are. I think the funny ones are mean. Yeah.

[00:09:14] We'll trauma bond about this because I completely relate. Mine's seven. How old is yours? My oldest is 18. Oh, so that's an adult kicking your ass. But now. Yeah. But when she lived with me, she was 13, 14. It was a teenager kicking my ass. Oh yeah. That's, those are tough years. And my youngest now is 11 and he's. 11 going on 21. He's falling behind. Oh, I bet he knows it all. Oh. You couldn't know better. He was at his, his, uh, stepdad's house and he builds fences for a living. My son was telling him everything you did wrong. You're not doing this right.

[00:09:44] Do this. You don't do that right. Like my mom. That he doesn't know. Oh my God. 11. Yeah. Yeah. It's yeah. I mean, but we encourage them to read man. Yeah. Is that what he's reading at nighttime? He's like, I gotta build fences. Like they watch. Very true. I'm very blessed in the sense. My girls like to read like the, the seven year old made herself. I just was like, clean your fucking room, please. Like I've, it's always a mess.

[00:10:12] And she's like, I cleaned my room, but I did do something productive. And I'm like, what? She's like, there is a fort in there and you're, I know you're going to think it's not clean, but mom, it's because it's a little nook. So I could read more books. Oh, and I'm like, how can you say no to that? Like, no, fucking clean it up. All my stuff is piled in there, but I lay on it to read. Oh, and I looked, it was really cute. She had like a little crate of books on the side. I'm like, Hey, she's really serious about this October reading challenge. She wants her class to get the pizza party.

[00:10:42] You guys gotta love it. Yeah. But that's what I do outside of this. It's just kids, kids, kids, kids, kids. That's my world revolves around that. Yeah. I've got a grandbaby growing up too. He's got a grandbaby. And so I get kids, kids full, full time. Kids, kids, kids, and grandkids, kids. My grandson turns one year old December. What? Are we the same age? Do you want to talk about it? I mean, let's, let's go. I'm 38. Shut the fuck up. He looks older, huh? Are you, fuck off.

[00:11:13] Are you older? You're older and don't have a grandchildren. Yeah. He can fuck off right there. I'm actually the youngest one in the room. I could fuck all the way off because I said, are we the same age? You're younger than me, right? No, I'm 42, mijo. Oh man. I love it. So I'm the youngest one in the room. Dude, grandkids? Yeah, man. Slow the fuck down. Yeah, I like to get a... What's your rush? Right. I want someone to come see me in the funeral, or in the nursing home.

[00:11:43] I mean... I'd be like, sir, how old are you? He's like 15. The youngest motherfucker in the nursing home. Fuck off, too. Yeah. Yeah, no, so yeah. 18, 12, almost 12 and one. Mm-hmm. Do you have babies? Oh no. We're working on it. Two dogs. Okay, what kind of dogs do you have? I have a chihuahua and a long-haired Jack Russell. I say we're working on it. I'm trying to get him because he wants to adopt and I need him to hurry up and do it. Because... A child. Yes. Well, I want him to get like a 15-year-old because I... Mine are almost gone.

[00:12:13] I want to live my life. I'm like, mm-mm. I don't want to stick around for his. Oh, so just one grown up and set in their ways? Yeah. Watch my house while I go on vacation. Somebody to come see him in the fucking nursing home. But how do you know you're going to be in the nursing home? What if they make you rot in your bed? I hope not. I'm going to be like Dolly. Nipped and tucked in 17 while I'm walking, doing my business. I'm a nurse full-time, so I spend a lot of time in the nursing home. So like that sets real... I love it.

[00:12:41] Well, thank you for taking some time away from your duties to be here today. Of course. I'm glad you came. Yes, you're welcome. I'm happy to spread joy to you today. Thank you for your service. Right. In case it doesn't work out, you can fucking come nurse with us at the nursing home. So when did you, after your video goes viral, when did you realize that Chonai could be a career? Yeah, that's a great question.

[00:13:06] I, when I started doing stand-up comedy, and I, and it was like the smallest thought because I started selling comedy tickets before I even had a comedy set. And, and not like quick moment in time. I thought like, oh, that'd be crazy if I can do this like forever. Right. But I had never done stand-up before.

[00:13:30] So when it actually started becoming real was when I was having a hard time juggling everything. Mom, wife, you know, full-time job, comedy, touring. And then I got, you know, approached by management and I was like, okay, this is, this is getting fucking serious. What do we do? Yeah.

[00:13:53] You know, I, and I think the biggest thing for me and the hardest decision for me to make was, do I continue pursuing this as a career? Or, or is that making me like a bad mother? Because I was the one that carried the medical benefits for the family and like, but I'm very blessed in the sense that I have such an amazing family. And then finally, my parents, my husband, my children, everybody was like, go for it, mom. Like, just do it. I love that. Just do it.

[00:14:22] And so, yeah. And so we took the plunge. I, you know, not sure how many people will watch this, but I've never talked about it until now. I quit my job in June and I've been free falling with God's grace ever since. This year? Yes, sir. No joke. Yeah. I, it just had become too much. I was getting a lot of panic attacks and anxiety about just everything and trying to juggle. Trying to juggle. And then the full-time job is, is a whole nother.

[00:14:51] It's a whole nother beast because even though they're, you know, you 40 hours a week, but not in my job, you know, the claims adjuster jobs, it's very demanding. And in this particular company, there was layoffs, but they weren't replenishing the jobs. And so we would have to pick up the slack and when I'm not pulling 60, 70 hours a week to keep up, you're getting reprimanded. And, and I'm like, I'm not going to fucking work for you guys 80 hours a week.

[00:15:19] And a lot of my homegirls that I worked with were doing that. And I was, and there was times I was there at 10 o'clock at night, just at my fucking day. And I worked from home, which was another blessing, but I was like, I can't keep fucking doing this. I wasn't having time for content. I wasn't having time. So, yeah. Okay. So who is, who is Doña Chona? What is, is she a specific person? Combination?

[00:15:46] She, what you see here is not what you'll see on stage when you guys come to the show. Chonai is, is rough. She's very unapologetic. She is la mera mera. Like she is that bitch. Like, and she's not afraid to stand up for herself. She's not afraid to be whatever she wants to be. She's the most confident person in the entire world. And it's not at all who I, who Joanna is, you know, like I.

[00:16:15] Sounds like a lot of my drag queen friends. Yeah. I, that's what it is. No, a hundred percent. It really does. It's like an alter ego. Yes. Like a Sasha Fierce. If you will. Like a Sasha Fierce, if you will. Yeah. That's what it sounds like to me. That's, that's definitely Joanna. Any performer, whether it music, wherever, any performer, then they go on stage, they become a different person. It's a switch. It's just a switch. And you get to be that person. And it's unapologetically, it's great. You know? Yeah. In a nutshell, it's a Sasha Fierce type, type situation. Yeah. No, I was telling my mom. Thank you.

[00:16:44] I speak a lot of Spanglish. Do you? So yeah. I know a little bit. He was married. Okay, good, good. So try to keep up. I don't, I don't do subtitles. We're not talking about my marriage life. No, nine years. Hispanic in-laws, nothing but Spanish. So I'm pretty good. Oh yeah. Okay, good, good, good, good. Yeah. Yeah. No, when I saw your, when I saw your video, I'd send it to my mom and I go, mom. And she's like, okay, so I was like, no, this is like all my tias and like grandma, there's all of them mixed in one. I was just in laughing and laughing. And I was telling her this morning about the one that you did when you're, you're like, yeah, you're going on the trip and she's got the hat.

[00:17:14] She brought her bikini. Yes. All her stuff. So that, that character is Doña Chona. Doña Chona, yes. She's three years old in internet land, I believe three or four years old. And yeah, that is what brings all the señoras to, you'll see. Yeah. There's a lot of elders in the audience. I was really struck with the first video that I said to my mom was, cause I told her, I was like, when I have kids, you know, I'm going to, cause my mom doesn't particularly care too much to watch my dogs when I go on vacation.

[00:17:44] And so she's like, what are you going to do when you have kids? And I'm like, well, I'm going to bring one. No, no, no. In the video, you know, Mija, you brought your kids here. You didn't come back till Monday. And I was like, that's it. It's my mom. I go, this is you. It's exactly who you are. And because, and it's, and it's crazy. Cause a lot of the stories is just like life experiences and things that have happened, like in the family or stories I've heard. And so I'm just putting it to life with this character. I'll get texts from the family.

[00:18:12] The world doesn't know, but I know. And I'm like, it's, but nobody knows. Yeah. So you've talked about, you know, using the comedy and you, you know, with, with your different characters and insecurity and body shaming. Um, how has your relationship, how has this, how has your relationship with yourself changed? Hmm. Am I the same person I was in 2018? I don't know how to answer that.

[00:18:42] I really, I don't. Are you more confident? Yeah, that's, yeah, I would say yes. I'm definitely more confident. Um, yeah, I would say that. I would say that. I don't, besides I get Botox and I'm a hundred pounds lighter, but physically changed. Um, but yeah. We can't tell you're confused about the question right now. No, no, you can't. No, this is, I actually say a joke about it. You'll, you'll see tonight, but yeah, I'm like, this is my mad phase, my happy face and my angry face. I love Botox.

[00:19:12] It's great. Yeah. I would say definitely a lot more confident. I love that. You know, culture with the personalities that we grew up. Hundred and fifty fucking percent. I feel, and I've said this a few times, I feel like that part of our culture is dying because we're so fucking censored and like. Sensitive. Can't look at culture.

[00:19:40] And like, you know, growing up, growing up, my mom would be like, Vas a comer otra vez panzona. And like, that's a fucking harsh ass word. I would never tell a child today panzona or panzon. Now, maybe some of my friends, maybe we're roasting each other, but never because you can't speak to people that way anymore. It's just not.

[00:20:05] And that's why I feel like that part of that part of our culture is dying, which is why I love that I can play Doña Chona. People aren't getting offended by the things I'm saying because there's. Yes, there's nostalgia behind it and there's truth. And she is the people that we grew up with. But she's seventy five now and she's still the same because that's who she is, you know. And that's my favorite part about playing her is I. I love that.

[00:20:33] I love that people are having that like nostalgic spark when they watch the videos. And that's that's really important to me because I I do it in honor of my mother-in-law and my and my mom. It's funny when because I'm a big Botox and filler. We talk about that. And I love lip filler. I love it. They're a little small right now. No, you look good, girl. A little much. She loves it. But my grandmother got it. She was 93. She passed two years ago. Oh, I'm sorry. But 93 years of wisdom. But anytime I'd get it done, I'd go see her. And she's like, what is this?

[00:21:02] How she does? She's like, are you OK? I'm not. It's a bien. And I'm like, yeah, I'm OK. And I wouldn't tell her about the lips. And mom would say mother ass. She's like, why does he look so fat? And it was my lips. And that's bien hinchado, mijo. Every time I'd get my lips on it, she'd be like, he's fat. And mother's like, I don't know. She didn't understand, you know, lip filler. But and mom was like, and that's muy hinchado. I was like, mother's asking why you're so fat. Mijo, estás comiendo mucho sal. You need to lay off the salt. Yes. Uh-huh. Absolutely. And so, like I said, that character just specifically just growing up for me.

[00:21:32] That's what struck it. And I was like, oh. And I had been talking about it, too. And I was telling him, I was like, there's this. I want to bring her on the show. And then, you know, I saw you got manager and everything. So it's just, yeah, squirrel. But anyway, so. That was the highlight of last year, for sure. Yeah. Yeah. So talking about, like, your family. We won't go too deep into it. But like your husband. So do you ever make, on your comedy tour, do you make jokes about your husband? And how does he feel about that? Does he get offended? No. No.

[00:22:00] He likes every fucking pair of shoes I've bought him after every fucking show. So he's happy. Early on in the comedy, 99% of it was my husband. I had a whole bit about when I was Toxica. We've been together a really long time. I had a whole bit about, you know, how we handled the weight loss journey. And a lot of it was about him.

[00:22:27] Now there are still a few bits about him, but he doesn't mind at all. Did he in the beginning? Never. No, because we met in high school. So he's always known what I wanted to do. I just didn't realize it would be stand-up comedy. That's great. And he's just so supportive. He's like, I'm just happy to see you where you finally belong. And I don't give a shit that you're fucking roasting me the whole time. You know? But yeah, he doesn't mind it. And in the beginning, he would be at every show because we were just performing locally. And so he would run the merch table.

[00:22:57] And people would say, like the men especially, like, you have some fucking balls. Like, I would never let my wife talk shit like the way she does about you up there. You know? And my husband's like, I'm secure, man. I have no fucking issues with my wife doing what she loves, you know? That's really awesome. What's his name? His name is Bill. Billy. Billy. Billy is strong. Kudos, Bill. Yeah. Kudos. And I love that, too, because hearing that story also sounds like one of my other favorite comedians is Leigh-Anne Morgan. And her and her husband have been in it, like, forever. Forever. I got him watching her videos, too.

[00:23:26] She's like, oh, no. With her little twang. Oh, my gosh. She's so good. She said I had to be a hoe for him. She had to do nasty things in that bedroom. That's right. I agree, Leigh-Anne Morgan. Every time he goes to a hotel room. Unspankable things. Relatable. Man. Relatable. You'll hear about it tonight. Relatable. And so how do your daughters react to seeing mom on stage?

[00:23:55] So they don't come to the shows because mommy's raunchy. I'm raunchy. Ladies, be prepared. And so they don't come. But my 16-year-old got to be backstage at one of the biggest shows of my comedy career, which was last year in November. It was a 985-seater. And yeah. And so she came out at the curtain call and surprised me with flowers.

[00:24:21] And she just fell into my arms and started crying. And I was like, why are you crying? She's like, I'm so proud of you. So yeah. So it's really cool. It's really cool. And the little one loves it because her teachers are all fans. Her mom is famous. Yeah. She's like, you're coming to speak again for career day, right? I'll be there for the fourth year in a row, girl. So funny. That's so cute.

[00:24:48] So going into your character a little bit more about Doña E. Yeah. So what is the most stereotypical senora thing you do? For Doña Chona? The stereotypical thing that I do is if you notice that every video, she's either watching a novella right before she answers the phone. And it's so stereotypical because she's very engaged. She yells at the TV. And I think that that's just super stereotype. That and when you did the video and Dos Mujeres Un Camino.

[00:25:17] Oh, yes. My grandmother, like it's a Spanish novella. Like that's how I helped was learning Spanish with my grandma. I stayed with her and we watched it. And she did the video with the Laura León. Laura León. And she's singing the song in front of the 18-wheeler because the driver left her for the other girl. Yes. Oh, my God. Oh, yes. Oh, it's so good. It's so good. Eric Estrada. Eric Estrada was the truck driver. And he had two women. He had BB. And he had Laura León. And oh, my God.

[00:25:47] So intense. I think I was like nine. I was like probably like six or seven watching it. And my answer is, he needed me watching that. My grandma, no le importa. Dejalo. No, they don't even understand. But very invested. I was like this. Yes. Wow. Yes. Yeah. I would watch it with my dad. What's something that younger people do today that makes you say like, oh, hell no. The makeup. Yeah.

[00:26:15] Like I think young girls with a full fucking beat is wild to me. You know? And it's no offense, you know, to the ones who do. I just, I've seen some like they're young and they don't know how to contour yet. So it's like, you see all this like, and I'm like. Girl. Mija, you are in seventh grade. That'll take you back to our junior high. I don't remember my homegirls. If anything, like we would do like a lip liner.

[00:26:45] They would put it on their hands and smear it all around their face and do the whole thing. Where are you from? Amarillo. Texas. Oh, that's why. Amarillo ain't got nothing better to do over there but put makeup on. Oh, man. No, I don't remember my homegirls doing a full beat. No, I don't remember. They're compact. I do remember like my girlfriends had. But I'm talking now like their nose is contoured. With the brown. Like a drag queen. Right. And they're in sixth and seventh grade. That's the shit that's like, what?

[00:27:15] High school. I mean, when you're in high school, do what you got to do. But I mean, obviously, that's one that's just inevitable. The phones. The phones. So tell me more about, this is one of the questions I've been dying to ask because I've always wanted to go because I grew up watching Selena win every time. Yeah. Yes. What was it like hosting the Tejano Music Awards? Did you really? I did. Yeah. I did. It was super fucking cool. I didn't even know. That's awesome. Getting glammed up and, you know, having a formal dress.

[00:27:44] And we had rehearsals and then seeing all the artists backstage. And I think the coolest part of hosting it was, you know, obviously they hired us to be funny and make it. There was a script. But then there was little moments that they would let us like do our piece. So we really only had like in total, maybe 20 seconds of comedy throughout the two hour show. Yeah. Just that we could ad lib.

[00:28:13] But one of the and one of the breaks that we were waiting for the next presenters, Jay Perez was backstage and he came up to me and he's like, you are really funny and your dress is badass, girl. And I was like, I got this shit at Kohl's. He's like, you're fucking hilarious. No idea. Okay. Yes, I'm funny. But I thought that was cool because I grew up listening to Jay Perez. Yeah, absolutely. Fucking Jay Perez, dude. That's a wearing sunglasses at night, man. You know what I mean?

[00:28:41] He's a fucking star, man. I love that. So you get into the perform in front of like, you know, audiences like that. What what's the toughest crowd you've ever had to perform in front of? Eek. White people. They don't understand it. Well, I have to change. You got to speak English. Right. I have to speak English. Yeah. I have to speak English. And when was the first time I had to do that? I went to an open mic.

[00:29:11] It was very early on in my comedy career. And when you go to open mic, it's called going to the gym. You're going to the gym. You're working out your material. They gave me five minutes, which is pretty customary for an open mic night. And we were in the north side of San Antonio. And as soon as I walked into the bar and I saw the demographic, I was like, well, fuck, none of my jokes are going to work. You know, they're all right. They're all what out here. So I was up there.

[00:29:38] I started my first one and they're just like, I tried. Did you? And then I was like, how much longer am I up here for? You did not. I did. No fucking way. I still had three minutes. The longest three minutes of my life. And I was like, all right, good night. Fucking out of here. Eject button. Yeah. Really? I was like, I'm going to go ahead and give y'all the three minutes back. Y'all don't fucking give a shit about me. Y'all have a good night. No one threw anything? Huh? Anyone ever thrown anything out there?

[00:30:09] Nobody's thrown anything out at me. But the thing about trying to be on stage, she would probably fucking throw something back. Yeah. She would square up. Yeah. I mean, yeah, absolutely. Okay. Nobody has, I think the most disrespectful thing that's happened and it's been happening quite a lot recently is I'm at these shows alone for the most part. You know what I mean? I, of course with the comedians and stuff like that, but family wise, like there's no family, there's no really anybody there besides bouncers and stuff protecting me.

[00:30:39] And at the meet and greets, men can tend to get a little, become assholes, not even handsy, just like feel comfortable to say something they wouldn't say to a man. Example in Vegas, um, this couple comes up and the lady was going to buy a shirt from, from me, from merch. And the guy says, what the fuck are you doing? And she's like, I loved her. I'm going to support her. I'm buying merch. And he goes, look, let's look. And he's like this, look, you think you're somebody right now just because you're all,

[00:31:07] you're here, but ain't nobody even know who you are. And if you want people to get to know you, you got to be up in the names with all the big wigs and until you get there, I'll respect you. Oh no. That's pretty shitty. That is security. I looked at him and I said, I didn't ask for your fucking opinion and get the fuck out of my meet and greet line. Yeah. Get the fuck out of my face. What the fuck is he there? Yeah. You paid to be here. And she's like mortified, mortified.

[00:31:35] And then she's, she bought one of each shirt cause she felt so bad. And then I was like, ma'am, I'm sorry. I spoke to your husband that way. I just, I, I have to defend myself. And she's like, we're on our second date. And I was like, fucking run for the hill. Get the fuck out of here with this. If he can disrespect a fucking stranger, you imagine. Oh my God. Yeah. And so I, I just think it's comical that, um, you know, men have big balls when it comes to telling a female, but would you fucking say that to Joe Coy at his meet and greet? Would you do?

[00:32:04] I mean, you wouldn't have the balls to say that to a man. Mm-mm. So yeah, that's kind of comes with it, you know? Yeah, absolutely. So, well, that goes into like, how do you feel now about like cancel culture and the changing, the changing of boundary and boundaries in comedy? That's tough. That's really, really tough. Naturally, I'm not a dark comedic person. I don't really like dark comedy. I don't poke fun at certain things. Cause that's just not my style. Um, raunchy. Yes.

[00:32:33] I can get very raunchy at times. I, it's, it's difficult because especially when I'm posting like my content on social media, I overthink a lot of scenarios because I don't, if I got canceled the way a fucking James Charles or Jeffrey star got canceled, they still have hundreds and thousands and millions of followers. If I did something so fucked up, it could take a day and it could all be over, you know?

[00:32:59] So I have to be very, very cognizant of what I'm putting out there. Um, and I, and you watch my stuff. I'm not even risky, even close, but there's, for example, my friend, I was wearing this like jumper. It's like, bitch, you're giving miss Rachel vibes. Miss Rachel is a, a children's like a Barney, like a, she's, she, she wears overalls super cute, huge advocate for the Hispanic culture and trying to save the children that are captured by ice, like all that stuff.

[00:33:29] I just love everything that she's about. And he's like, you should do a spoof of miss Rachel. And I was like, God, that would be so funny. So I was like, let me, let me look at some of her videos on YouTube. Just, just to get some inspiration. Very first video that pops up. She's like, can you say mama, mama? And my homeboy is like, mama Melo. Do you, you know? Right. So what means? Chuba mi verga. So your favorite. That is my favorite.

[00:33:58] And we started laughing and I'm like, could you, and then she sings it. What is it? Cause I want to use it again. Mama Melo. Mama Melo. Mama Melo. Mama Melo. Mama Melo. So that's the same thing as my favorite. Yeah. It's about the same. Yeah. All right. All right. Yeah. I got it. I got it. Suck it. Mama Melo. And then she started singing it. She's like, let's sing it. Mama, mama, mama. Right. And so we already came up with the whole thing. So I go back. This was in Albuquerque. I go back home.

[00:34:24] I started thinking about it some more and I'm like, oh, I could get some backlash for making fun of Ms. Rachel. She's doing so much for the community. She's like, fuck. I don't know. So that's kind of where my head was. And he's like, hey girl, don't forget to film your Rachel thing. I was like, no, I'm not going to do it. And he's like, why? I was like, it's not me. I don't need the controversy. I'm good. And that's because what if nobody even fucking watches it? But that's in my head because of cancel culture. Yeah. Oh. Yeah. Okay. Dumb.

[00:34:54] But you're like, that would have been a big hit. Oh my gosh. My buddy's like, well, can I take it? I was like, yeah, I fucking take it. Use my shit. You go ahead and get the controversy. I don't care. So tell me a little bit more about your Cardi B parody. Oh, I wanted to ask about that too. Yeah. Yeah. I want to know. So everybody thought I was a rapper at first, but I'm just an actress. You know, I can, I can play the role. That was born. I love saying this story.

[00:35:22] That one was born as a result of my childhood friend that I met in middle school. He was dying from leukemia. And I went to go see him at the hospital. His family was making the calls. He did survive. He did survive. He did survive, by the way. And I, as I was in his hospital, as I was in his room looking over him on the hospital bed, I couldn't stop hearing his voice telling me, like, every time I would see him, he's like, but why did you stop?

[00:35:51] Like, why did you stop performing? Like, why did you, you're so talented? You're so this, you're so that. That's all I could hear in my head is, and I'm just crying, crying, crying. When I leave, Cardi B's I Like It comes out on the radio. And for whatever reason, I was like, I like a My Fat. I like a My Fat. And I was like, oh, shit. My brother is a producer, so he does. He's got a studio. He's got all that stuff. My niece is very quick and witty on her feet.

[00:36:18] I called them real quick, and I was like, are you guys available right now? And they're like, yeah, okay. Abraham, can we go to your house, my brother? I have an idea for, like, a fucking parody. I think we can knock it out right now. We did it in 10 minutes. I love it. And then filmed it on his iPhone a week later. Got all the components together, and that's the one that, and I dedicated it to my friend, Petey. You'll see it at the end of the YouTube video. His family's walking with me. I invited them to come to the shoot. They'd been at the hospital for weeks. And so they're like, thank you.

[00:36:47] It was like the most fun we've had in weeks, you know? That's pretty awesome. So because of that, I think that because it had such a good origin story, and I think that's why I did so well. Yeah. Because God is good that way, you know? I love that. And I was also telling Cody, too, I was reading when I was doing more research, you also became viral before becoming viral. It was- 2010, right? Right. Was it the- It was before it was even a thing. Was it the California Girls? Yes. Yes. Yes. Way back.

[00:37:16] Because you became viral before becoming viral was- Right, right. That was like the first official. 2018 was where it all started. So how did that work? So I was actually at home resting from, and this is exactly why I called my niece, because she's the one who recorded that video. So I was at home resting from a leap procedure that I had had, OBGYN shit. I got you. And- I know. And she was there with me, helping me recover, helping me with my newborn at the time.

[00:37:46] And we were just playing around, and California Girls was a thing, and so we called it San Antonio Girls and rewrote it. And it's so low budget fucking video, but I think it got a whole bunch of hits. I was like, oh shit. Yeah. Yeah. I love that. Yeah. It's crazy. So other than coming to the show, you are in town for your Hot Flash and Comedy Tour, or Hot Flash and Furious Comedy Tour. So tell us more about the tour and how the tour started and all the good things. Yeah. No, I- And how long is this going?

[00:38:16] So the last stop is going to be in Chandler, Arizona in November. Okay. And then I'm hopping on some of the other guys' shows that are in the same management company that I'm with. But it's been incredible. I mean, I can't even tell you how many cities I've gone to this year. Probably the biggest tour I've had in my comedy career to date, thanks to my management company, that they put it all together. You spoke to Marty and Wendy.

[00:38:47] Easiest, nicest people to ever chat with. Oh, yeah. Smooth. Smooth. It's like I've chatted with some people. Yeah. Yeah. Great. No, they're phenomenal. They're phenomenal. I'm so blessed to have them. And they just kept me busy and they advocate for me. And Marty talks about me in rooms that say, you got to look at my girl and give my girl a chance. And he's just my biggest supporter. And it started in Covina, California at the Laugh Factory. And I think it was like six shows.

[00:39:16] And I was so nervous. That was this year? Yeah. Yeah. That was this year, 2026 in January. I didn't remember watching a video about it. No, there was one in Seattle. It was a Seattle show. I watched the video for that one. Yeah. That was when the summer leg of the tour kicked off. That was rough. And I think because I put a lot of pressure on myself because I have a lot of respect for my manager. He's doing amazing things for the talent in his management company.

[00:39:40] And I admire the guys for what they've been doing already themselves. And then all as a unit under LRM. I mean, it's just such a movement. And this is, I'm talking about Concrete, Duno and Jerry Garcia. And so he's mostly with them for the most part. But this summer part of the tour, he wanted to travel with me to my shows that sold to tickets. And I'm like, he's going to fucking drop me.

[00:40:08] Like I thought he's going to be like, I'm wasting all this money. And he called me the day before. He's like, what do you want to do, sis? Do you want to throw in the towel? Do you want to? And I was like, no, I'm not going to be a little bitch, man. Let's just fucking go. He's like, because it's your money, kid. Whatever you want to do at the end of the day, it's your money. And I was like, no, let's go. I'm going to keep pushing. I'm going to keep pushing. Even if we get 40 people and he's like, okay, let's do it. And he was so like, because he's been doing it for so long.

[00:40:38] He was like, that revived me again. Because it's the growth part. We're at a different stage with the guys. It's nice to be a part of the building. And so we ended up setting out to do what we said we wanted to do. We broke even. And we got our flight money back, our hotel money back. And we were happy. I love that. That's awesome. And for those of you guys that are in the Dallas-Fort Worth area tonight and tomorrow, she's going to be at Hyena's Comedy Club. Yep. In Fort Worth.

[00:41:08] In Fort Worth. And we will be there tonight. Cannot fucking wait. I'm excited. Cannot fucking wait. It's going to be a blast. You'll get to see Doña Chona. She has arrived via FedEx. Because I fucking left her in Albuquerque. Amazon Prime kind of thing? No. She left her in Albuquerque. I left her in Albuquerque and just realized yesterday when I was packing. Oh, really? Man. God. So I've got a comedy question. Who is your dream comedy collaboration? Oh, my gosh. Okay.

[00:41:37] You mentioned Leanne Morgan earlier. But for me, I would love, I would love, love, love, love, love, because I feel like we're similar. I'm the Hispanic version. Steph Tulliv. Okay. I think I've seen some. She's got kind of like a mullet looking hair. She's very aggressive. And Trailer Trash, Tammy. Oh, my God, dude. I feel like. Right there. Yes. I'm so. I'm fucking sold.

[00:42:05] And Tammy, if you're fucking watching this, call me. We can talk about all the things. And I think we would have a fucking blast. And I could teach you Spanish words. That would be hilarious. We've got to reach out. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Just put us in a fucking room. Yeah. Dude. Dude. Let's have a drink together. Like farts and burps. Yeah. And cigarettes, maybe. Hey, I'm down to have a few. I might have a cigar. I might have a couple puffs. Yeah. If you will. I'll hate tomorrow. But if I.

[00:42:35] Put a fucking vodka in front of me. Bitch, start smoking real quick. I'm not even going to lie to you. Give me a whiskey and a cigar and I'll be the coolest motherfucker there. Yeah. Yeah. So what's next for you and, you know, a special television, movies, comedy. I mean, something different. I'm going to honestly tell you, I think I see like me personally and I'm putting out if it's something you want to do, but I'm putting it out there in the atmosphere. I think you should do television with your characters and do a show. Like, I think that would be a great thing for you.

[00:43:04] Like, you know. No, I think that's beautiful. Thank you for manifesting that. Yeah. Tell it, tell it, tell it, tell it. If you need a guest appearance. Yeah. Right. Right. No, absolutely. If I need a Sean Hayes, how you doing? There she is. I, that's definitely something that Marty and I have talked about. And I say, Marty, I mean my manager. We've talked about it plenty of times. He sees so much potential with Doña Shawna. Absolutely.

[00:43:33] Now, there's old lady characters everywhere. People have done it. It's not that I'm new to this or whatever. It's just, he sees a brand here with her, a whole brand. And there's nobody out there like her. Not like her. No. You know, there's, there's, I know there's a Puerto Rican version of her. There's a, there's, there's all these other versions of her, but this like Tex-Mex, I don't think anybody's doing that. And if they are, please help me and I'll stand, I'll be, I'll stand corrected.

[00:44:00] But yeah, we, we see a lot. But we do have producers and directors watching. Thanks to my manager. He's like, I said, he sits in rooms. He's like, you gotta, you gotta watch. Um, I received my first cease and desist from a corporation. So that's great. They're watching too. You're coming up. I love it. I kind of wish they would have done it in fucking public though. Cause that would have been great for my career. You know what I mean? Like not cancel culture.

[00:44:27] They would have gotten canceled, which is why I think they did it in private motherfuckers. Man, that's fucking gold though. No, it's great. That's fucking gold. It's great. It's so good. Yeah. So yeah, that, but yes, uh, film, it's definitely around the corner. Yeah. It's definitely something I feel like. I feel great things just coming for you. Especially with your vibe. Thank you. What you're doing and you're representing our community. And I, I love it. So. That's so nice. Seems like a good time. I'm going to sit in the dark back corner where you can't see me at the show. Yeah. Cause I'm going to tell him. Trying to easily leave you the fuck alone. I'm going to tell him. Chupa mi verga.

[00:44:58] Mama. Mama. I'm going to be that guy standing on the table, whipping it out. Oh my God. Go ahead and sit your ass in the back. Vulgar my ass. No more whiskey. He's one of those guys. Calm down, tio. Relax. No tequila. No tequila. Oh, same. I can't. No. I either want to fight or fuck and it's usually not the good one. Bro, me too. Man, I'm not kidding. Wait, no, not the fucking part. No, I fuck like, man, I'm good. But man, it's usually I want to fight. Your mother's here. Hi, mom.

[00:45:28] Mom, that's how you got me here. So our moms are sitting right back there. Yeah. Our moms are here. Bring mom to work. That's what Shona does. This is probably the first time they've requested to come into this gym. Yeah, yeah, yeah. We gotta come see this. No joke. Yeah, first time. What she's all about. She made it. She knows what it's good to show. You see what I'm saying? I, I too am a tequila fighter. Are you? Oh, man. I can't wait to drink tequila with you. No, I don't want anything to do with it. My guy. Let me call her. I'm actually the same way.

[00:45:57] I'm actually the same way. She's grown up. I won't touch it. Not even in a margarita. I won't touch it. No. I can do a margarita. I can do one. The guys love Casamigos. So when I'm at their shows, they do shots of Casamigos. And I'm like, hey, if y'all fucking want me at the meet and greet, I'm going to be pounding bitches. Like, I'm just letting you know. Milagro is mine or Patron, but whiskey. Whiskey's yours? Mine is Tito's. Is it? I'm a vodka girl. He's a vodka water. What about you? What do you drink? Vodka water.

[00:46:24] I have vodka water, but if I do tequila, it's going to be Jenny Rivera tequila. Stop. All the way. Oh, Jenny Rivera. So people have been saying on the Laura Leon stuff, oh shit, she looks like Jenny Rivera, so I'm thinking I may do a little spoof. Yes. But even better. Want to pass that? Bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum. I'm sorry. Don't play with me. When she's dancing. Oh yeah. A los huevos.

[00:46:54] I like to say, when I'm flirting with my husband, I say, Where's the huevitos? Mami. Those huevitos. Huevitos para mama. Las languitas de mama. My best friend. My best friend used to say that. Mamamelo. Mamamelo. Mamamelo. Mamamelo. Mamamelo. So, in true. Our go-to shot is Rumpel. A what? 100 proof. What's a Rumpel? It's the devil semen. Rumpel? Peppermint schnapps almost. But it's 100 proof.

[00:47:23] Oh, it's the devil. That's what you like to do? That's what I like to do. Stay clear from me, sir. Shit. Don't invite me to your fucking body. I don't want to go. I'm busy already. He's like, come on, Jordan. We got fucking gasoline up in this. Light it on fire. With peppermint. Merry Christmas. It's like Santa Claus coming in your mouth. Fuck no, dude. I'm not. Switch pots. Why the fuck you put me on this couch?

[00:47:51] So, in true unspoken truth form, we always play a game. Yes. And so, this game is, it's called the Hot Seat Rapid Fire. Oh, fuck. It's just some fun questions to ask you. Just give me your answer. I started sweating. I think I'm having a hot flash. Hot flash and furious. Oh, fuck. Go, go. Who's funnier? You or your husband? Oh, he is. Yeah? At his expense. What's your biggest pet peeve?

[00:48:21] Five, four. 12, 12, 12, 12, 12. Backwards. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. What's the most senora thing in your purse right now? Oh, fuck. A panty liner. What's something that you secretly judge people for? Ooh. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know if I want to say it. Say it. This is not spoken truth. Say it. Oh, yeah. Yeah, I guess they're past. Okay. Yeah, sure. They're past? They're past. Yeah, they're past.

[00:48:51] That was cheating. Yeah, you gave it to me, so I just said yes. Have you ever laughed at your own joke on stage? Yes. Like, it took me a second to recover. Because it's when it comes out and it wasn't planned. So I was like, oh, fuck. I'm so good. I'm so good. Every comedian. I don't care if y'all laugh. That shit's funny. And then there's a lot of comedians that the whole time they're laughing at their jokes. I'm like, pipe it down, guys. Give us a chance to fucking laugh.

[00:49:21] You ain't that fucking funny. I don't do that. What's the most embarrassing thing that's happened on stage? I broke my foot and fell. Oh. During a bit. Yeah. And when I looked up at the clock, I still had 15 minutes left of my set. And you did it? And I got up and finished and not realizing my foot was broken. Oh, shit. If Chona E could roast anyone in the world, who would it be? Oh. Famous? Yeah. Yes.

[00:49:49] Oh, I'd like to take a little stab at Atko Okasko's little mushroom haircut. Yes. I would love to. He's like, just do this, please. I know. The blob? What is it? Yeah. Yeah. It's so good. I mean, she looks like she's straight out of fucking Mario Brothers, my guy. You know what I mean? Yes. All right. So, finish this sentence. The unspoken truth about Joanna Estrada is?

[00:50:20] The unspoken truth about Joanna Estrada is that if she doesn't have to speak, she won't. And she's very boring outside of all this. Okay. That's the unspoken truth. Surprising. Yeah. I literally... Surprising. I cannot wait to go to the hotel room and just not talk. Just shut up? Yeah. Okay. All right. Last question. I'm crazy. Real quick. Yeah. On that. You know, I don't talk too much anyways, but in my truck, I don't listen to music. Kind of like serial killer stuff. I'm silent the whole fucking time. I'm in that era right now, my guy.

[00:50:50] Did we just become best friends? Did we? Can we? I'm in a concert with myself and my backup singer. Yeah, he will. You're on a whole world tour, baby. We're roommates right now and there's not a time music is not on. Let them have it. I do. I would love to. I do. I can do that. I can do both. Like kids, I tune it out, so I'm fine. Yeah, that makes sense. That makes a lot of sense. No, today on the way to the airport, I was fucking jamming out to freestyle. I don't know what the hell happened, but I was like Lisa Lisa, fucking Stevie P, John Cicada. Oh my gosh. Yeah.

[00:51:20] Oh, I was in love. So before we wrap up things, I want to ask you one final question. When you look back at everything you've been through from growing up in San Antonio, becoming Chonai and performing in front of audiences across the country, what would you tell that younger version of yourself who was still trying to figure out where she belonged? That one really tugs at the heartstrings because I was literally just, I'm sorry, getting a little choked up.

[00:51:47] I was just talking to my daughter about it. I would tell her, you will be seen. You will be seen and people will love you. Oh, yes. Oh, I love that. Be brave sooner. Be brave sooner. Fuck yeah. You will be seen. Oh, yes. I love that. Well, thank you. That actually gave me chills. It did.

[00:52:17] That actually gave me chills. Well, thank you so much for coming. It has been such a pleasure and I'm so glad we got to do this. Thank you for coming and hanging out with us and we got loved getting to know you and more about the show and the comedy and to everybody who's watching and listening, make sure you follow her. Dude, go see the show. Yes. Go see the show. Hyenas Comedy Club. I'll put the link on our social media tonight and then you can follow Chona at at sign Chona E 210. Shout out San Antonio. To check out the upcoming shows.

[00:52:46] And as always, thank you for joining us on The Unspoken Truth. Thank you again. We've had so much fun. I love it. Thank you guys. I can't wait to party with you tonight. No fucking fine or no peppermint shit. No rumble on. Don't talk about my vet guy. Oh my gosh. Don't worry about it. I talk about my husband's enough. Okay. Bill, I won't do it. And as always, thank you for joining us on The Unspoken Truth where we have the conversations that deserve to be heard. Until next time, we'll see you guys later. See you guys later. Until next time.

[00:53:16] And that's it. That was fast and fun. Bye. Bye.