Act Up With Alana J

On this crossover episode of Act Up and 1st Class 2nd Place, hosts Alana J and Jason Enrique are joined by special guest Calixto Chinchilla, founder & executive director of the New York Latino Film Festival, as they dive into the humble origins of the festival, the impact it’s had since its inception, the high risk and high reward that came along with it, along with Calixto’s personal life and...

This episode features the hilarious Jersey-native stand-up comic and producer, Kate Lawlor. Kate and Alana swap stories about attending the same Catholic high school (years apart!) and how it secretly sharpened their comedic edge. Kate opens up about losing her father at a young age, falling into stand-up by accident in college, and carving out her own lane as the producer of the  Eyes Up Here  Co...

This week Alana taps in one of her favorite stand up comedians, the hilarious Laura Merli. Laura talks about what pushed her to pursue comedy, some of her most memorable sets, navigating frustrating jobs, her love of reading popular psychology, and so much more. Check out Laura’s stand up special  Belly Slappin’ Fun  on YouTube here, and tune in to learn, laugh and level up with Laura on this week...

This week Alana taps in comedian, actor and host Bill “The Billionaire” Gilbert. They discuss his journey from former athlete to stand up comic, how he manifested his self-produced Amazon special, Savedish But God Knows My Heart, and his debut performance at The Apollo Theatre. This one is laden with gems, so tune in now to learn, laugh, and level up with Bill The Billionaire. Follow Bill @billion...

This episode features actor, singer, K-Pop star, and Alana's former roommate, the multitalented Frankie DaPonte. Frankie takes us through the incredible chapters of his journey from acting in school dramas to his full-fledged career as a K-Pop star working and training in Korea. Alana and Frankie reminisce about how they met, the joys of living together and their creative collaborations - you...

Episode 29 features stand-up comedian and writer, the hilarious Gordon Baker-Bone. Gordon discusses his unique entrance into the world of stand up comedy via an offer from a former college professor. He speaks on writing for the MTV Show  Yo Momma , working in television production, as well as the inspiration behind his own COVID-born podcast  Period Piece . You can stream his comedy album  Nobody...

This week, Alana reconnects with her longtime friend, collaborator, and favorite DJ, Eric "One Day" Saldarriaga. Together, they reflect on the many chapters of their friendship, including co-hosting the "One Day Radio Show," working with  Killerhiphop.com  and  The Source , and curating events. Eric shares his journey as a DJ, music producer, and event producer, offering insights into what it take...

Episode 27 features actress, writer and artivist the lovely Sita Sarkar. Alana and Sita discuss meeting at an audition and having instant chemistry as the best friends they wound up portraying on screen together. Sita opens up about her beginnings in classical Indian dance and how that influenced her acting pursuits later on. She discusses her advocacy for better representation of Bengladeshi peop...

On this episode, Alana shares her experience working as an actor on the set of Law & Order. She touches on her acting journey up to this point, and how this opportunity was a true full circle moment. Listen to the full episode and subscribe here . 

This week Alana is joined by fellow Bravery Studios podcaster, the host of 1st Class 2nd Place, Jason Enrique. Alana and Jason reminisce on their days working together at Maggiano's Little Italy and discuss how their artistic journeys have intersected over a decade of friendship. You'll feel like a fly on a wall eavesdropping on a raw, relatable conversation between friends, so this one is definit...

In this episode, Alana sits down with her friend and multi-talented performer, Jenni Ruiza. Jenni shares her acting journey, particularly being inspired by Bette Midler as a child, she knew she was destined to entertain. She discusses how she earned a hosting segment alongside Alicia Menendez on Fusion, writing and performing sketch comedy for the Latino community, and her current screenwriting en...

This week's guest is actor, filmmaker, and creative engineer, Marc Reign. Marc and Alana recall first connecting through her BET Digital Series  Two Grown  for which Marc served as a Director of Photography and actor. He discusses his acting roots, having a divine intervention to change his college major to Theatre, premiering as a lead in John Patrick Shanley's play CANDLELIGHT, as well as bookin...

This week we tapped in rapper, artist, friend, and inspiration to Alana, the one and only Quinton "Logan Raps" Hill. Alana and Logan discuss his artistic trajectory from rapping in Church as a middle school kid, to creating Good Fella Media - a legendary digital hip-hop brand that was ahead of its time - straight out of Rutgers University. Shifting his focus from journalism and radio to generating...

This week ACT Up features singer, songwriter, and Alana's BFF, Isabel "Velise" Alvarez. Isabel discusses what motivated her to become a singer, and how she developed her songwriting abilities. She also shares her experience performing on SNL as a backup singer for Raye earlier this year, and discusses her upcoming EP Velise, dropping on November 22nd. Her producer Charles Goold also stops by to di...

This week Alana taps in comedic actor, writer, producer, husband, and father Michael “Juan Bago” Diaz. Bago enlightens us on his artistic journey from Connecticut college kid to viral comedic content creator.   From hustling to create film projects and casting out of his Washington Heights apartment to becoming a pillar in the Latino comedy community with live sketch comedy and viral parodies, the...

This week Alana chops it up with creative director, stylist, fashion designer and actress Julissa "JuJu" Peralta. JuJu gives us the inside scoop on her experience competing on Hulu’s first-ever fashion competition show, Dress My Tour, and speaks on how the show has helped advance her career. She also opens up about her experience as a music video model, hitting a creative block in the years prior...

This week Alana is visited by New Jersey musician, songwriter, entrepreneur, father, and husband, Robbie Maxx. Robbie takes us on his journey into music, bearing witness to studio sessions with the Fugees and finding solace in pursuing his passion for writing rhymes. He speaks on his evolution as a human and artist, the joys of fatherhood, and finding happiness in being true to you. You can check...

This week, you're in for a unique treat - an Alana J solo special. Alana shares some of the most impactful moments from her creative journey thus far, speaking on her experience working for The Maury Show , collaborating with Viacom and BET, as well as some of her sobriety story. It gets real on Episode 17 so tap in to learn, laugh, and level up with Alana J, and make sure you subscribe . 

Episode 16 features NJ musician and entrepreneur, TwonDon. TwonDon discusses his hip hop roots, growing up with his mom working for the legendary Sugar Hill Gang, and how that influenced his artistic ambitions. He speaks on the evolution of his music and clothing brand, UpperClass International, the joys of performing overseas, and much more. Listen to the episode, learn and level up with TwonDown...

This week’s episode features stand-up and sketch comedian, podcaster, actor, model, and mom Theresa Moriarty, aka T-Mo. Theresa discusses her artistic journey beginning as a child actor, and how having a daughter has changed her perspective on acting and life in general. Check out her podcast, Exaggerated, and if you’re local to NYC, catch her on stage doing stand-up or with her sketch team Beverl...

Episode 14 taps in actress, model, mom and author, the fabulous Katherine Nunez. Katherine discusses returning to acting as an adult after earlier endeavors as a pregnant teen. She enlightens on her experience rebranding from model to professional actress, how she landed a role in the Lifetime movie Secret Love Triangle , as well as her upcoming debut as an author with her book Tales of a Latina G...

This week on ACT Up With Alana J, we meet stand-up comedian, producer, and content creator Mary Jane Murphy. Mary Jane discusses beginning her comedy career in Hawaii, being a child actor, and for funsies, sparks a conversation about good old-fashioned masturbation. Spoiler alert, this episode ain't safe for work, and we love that for you. Check out the full episode, and don't forget to su...

Episode 12 welcomes producer, content creator, writer, and native New Yorker, Katherine G. Mendoza. We get candid about content, discussing the need to approach creation from a data-oriented perspective, a skill she acquired working for Buzzfeed. She shares about her early background with acting, writing essays for PopSugar , befriending and collaborating with the iconic Gina Brillon and much more...

Dwayne Tousand aka Dwayne The Comic returns for Episode 11 of ACT Up. Dwayne gives us his top 5 memorable moments of the podcast thus far, and updates us on his adjustment moving from the Dirty South to Dirty Jersey. Additionally, the two discuss witnessing Kevin Hart’s comedic genius live at The Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, and their favorite live stand-up performances they’ve seen thus far....

This week ACT Up features content creator, actress, artist, comedian and glamma, Black Rose. Rose walks us through her artistic evolution from theatre kid to stand-up comedian and every creative medium in between. She speaks on using her social media presence for comedy and activism alike, plus the joy of being a glamma, which she wrote a song about that you can check out here . Listen to the epis...