Aida Rodriguez
Where are you from?
I am Puerto Rican and Dominican, raised in Miami, Florida.
What kind of cultural household were you raised within?
I was raised in a home with my Puerto Rican mother and Cuban stepfather. Mainly Puerto Rican, culturally speaking. I learned a lot of the Cuban bad words, and love the bread but my 5 uncles kept me dancing to the Fania All Stars, my grandmother's bacalao is my favorite dish and yes, I have my flag handy.
Did you find stand-up comedy or did it find you: Did you always know you'd be a stand-up comedian? how did it manifest?
I always knew that I would be a performer. I loved watching the monologues on Late Night television when I was a kid. I knew that I wanted to do that, (although) perhaps, at that time I didn't know that "that" was "Stand Up". It manifested by way of my friends who worked in Comedy. They were bold enough to tell me to switch lanes and then bothered to show me the way.
Are you the funniest person in your family? If not, who is?
I am absolutely not the funniest person in my family. That would be my mother who makes everyone who encounters her laugh. She is hysterical. She would definitely get cancelled.
You were a fashion model. How necessary is it to have a sense of humor in that industry?
When you are hungry all of the time, you better know how to laugh. Any business that subjects people to marginalization and oppression requires humor for survival.
What & who inspired you to embrace comedy as a profession?
Honestly, all of the great comedians that I have met along the way that show up everyday, no matter what is going on in their own lives, to make others happy and laugh are who inspired me to pursue this as a way of life.
In my experience of loving comedy and growing up black in an African-American & Puerto Rican mixed household, I find women of color to have an exceptional, innate sense of humor. Do you find that funny women of color are in a league all their own in the 'funny business'?
But of course. The most marginalized women on the planet would have to exercise and employ funny in order to cope. Some of the funniest people I have ever known are the mothers, grandmothers and aunties, giving us perspectives on our situations with humor. No doubt.
Many comedy professionals often come from humble, and sometimes very stressful, beginnings, which may lend to the sharpening of their sense of humor. Ongoing struggles during their journey seem to fuel their vision & mission. Were there any 'dark tunnel' moments during your comedy career, and how did you persevere?
How many would you like for me to list?! LOL. My Netflix half-hour special is all about my childhood trauma, from parental kidnaps to domestic violence. I have had to laugh my way "through" quite a bit.
The 'come up' is crazy strong, but you've been at this for a minute. Currently, you're rightfully positioned in primetime spaces & garnering spotlights on major networks like NBC & Netflix. Congrats!, because it's duly earned! Have you gotten any peaceful moments to 'bask in the glory' of success? How did you treat yourself?
Actually, I have been nonstop for quite some time. I am learning to celebrate my wins; I have a bit of survivor's remorse. But I did have a "Carlitos' Way" themed birthday party last year where many of my friends showed up. We had a major turn up.
In the comedy biz, who are your favorite comedians? (dead or alive, mainstream or underground)
Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Alvarez Guedes, Lucille Ball (Life Graduates)
Sommore, Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, Laurie Kilmartin, Ronny Cheng, Shayla Rivera, Adele Givens,
Deon Cole, Yamaneika Sanders, Antoine Young, Francisco Ramos, Thomas Dale (Too many to name).
You tour consistently and you host large gala events like the Imagen Awards. You've even starred in movies. What else is on your bucket list of career moves?
Creating a profitable space where POC can create and star in storytelling that fills our entire spectrum.
What advice would you give to a young person from the diaspora who wants to do what you do?
1. Go as "you" because "you" are going to eventually show up anyway.
2. Don't give up. As corny as it sounds, it actually makes the difference in you "making it".
3. Work on your own definition of success before you lend your ear and mind to another's. What fuels and fills you is solely what should determine your win. Honor your soul, you have to live with it forever.