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Cristela Alonzo

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  • Comedian, Actress, Writer, and Star of CBS's 'She Gets It From Me'
  • First Latina to Create, Produce, and Star in a Network Sitcom 'Cristela'
  • Author, 'Music to My Years: A Mixtape-Memoir of Growing Up and Standing Up'
  • Social Advocate

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Cristela Alonzo is a trailblazing comedian, actress, writer, and producer who uses laughter as a tool for connection and truth. She made history as the first Latina to create, write, and star in her own network sitcom Cristela and later brought her voice to millions as Cruz Ramirez in Disney Pixar’s Cars 3. Her acclaimed Netflix specials Lower Classy and Middle Classy showcase her unique blend of humor and storytelling, with a new special, Upper Classy, recently released. She is a masterful storyteller, as evidenced by her bestselling memoir full of humor and heart, Music to My Years: A Mixtape-Memoir of Growing Up and Standing Up. In her podcast To Be Continued, Cristela’s stories range from the ridiculous to the sobering and have also been shared in interviews on NPR , the Chicago Tribune and It's Been A Minute With Sam Sanders. Cristela is also a dedicated advocate for a variety of philanthropies focused on immigration, citizenship, economic opportunity.

On stage, Alonzo moves seamlessly from sharp comedy to powerful reflection, sharing stories shaped by her experience as a first-generation Mexican American. She invites audiences to see both the challenges and the possibilities of today’s world, sparking conversations that linger long after the applause. Known for her authenticity and warmth, Alonzo brings people together through humor, insight, and a message of resilience that resonates across generations.

 


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Opening Remarks - Choice, class, identity, and American politics | The Atlantic [8:31] - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Cristela Alonzo
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Cristela Alonzo Will Bring Laughs to Your Next Event

Comedian, actress, writer, and producer CRISTELA ALONZO uses humor to shine a light on bigger issues, and makes us laugh while she opens our eyes. Her comedic point of view was honed through her experiences growing up as a first-generation Mexican-American, and she is a masterful storyteller, engagi ...

Comedian, actress, writer, and producer CRISTELA ALONZO uses humor to shine a light on bigger issues, and makes us laugh while she opens our eyes. Her comedic point of view was honed through her experiences growing up as a first-generation Mexican-American, and she is a masterful storyteller, engaging audiences with stand-up comedy, conversation, or in a moderated Q&A.

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Speaker News

Funnywoman Cristela Alonzo makes us laugh while opening our eyes

Comedian CRISTELA ALONZO made history as the first Latina woman to create, write and star in a network TV show titled, what else, but Cristela.' Since then she has developed three Netflix comedy specials, Lower Classy, Middle Classy, and Upper Classy, a podcast To Be Continued, and a bestselling book Music to My Years: A Mixtape-Memoir of Growing Up and Standing Up.  Her comedic p.o.v. was honed through her experiences growing up as a first-generation Mexican-American in Texas and choosing to follow her dreams in comedy- of all things! Her stories range from the ridiculous to the sobering, some of which she shared in her interviews on NPR , the Chicago Tribune and It's Been A Minute With Sam Sanders.

Cristela is a dedicated advocate for a variety of philanthropies focused on immigration, citizenship, economic opportunity. As she says: "I am a first-generation American born to an undocumented mother that taught me to love this country. I believe it is my duty to give back and fight so that everyone can get the same thing my family got: a chance."

Comedian, actress, writer, and producer Cristela Alonzo delighted audiences at the Tobin Center in San Antonio for Hispanic Heritage Month

Comedian, writer, and producer CRISTELA ALONZO may be best known for breaking glass ceilings as the first Latina woman to create, write, and star in a network TV show, Cristela. With three Netflix standup specials under her belt, Cristela has her finger on the pulse of comedy and culture. She brings these skills as a hilarious and poignant speaker and moderator. 

When Cristela Alonzo hosted Hispanic Heritage Month at the Tobin Center in San Antonio, she carried her uniquely funny and empowering style of presentation throughout the entire event. Alonzo delivered a wonderful event from start to finish: performing a delightfully funny, standup-style keynote, which transitioned seamlessly into a powerfully honest Q&A, and ending with a book signing, the night was rich with meaningful content.

Cristela Alonzo took the time to make every guest feel welcome, which was no small order. The event sold over 1,200 tickets and the book signing line stretched out the front door. By any measure, Alonzo went above and beyond to help San Antonio celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. The Tobin Center says, “[Alonzo fostered] really great moments in the Q & A session – she even sang a Selena song which the crowd loved. Cristela is a true talent… [who] pulled it through brilliantly.”

See Cristela Alonzo’s unique ability to combine gravity and levity on stage here >>

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Books by Cristela Alonzo
Music to My Years: A Mixtape Memoir of Growing Up and Standing Up

Music to My Years: A Mixtape Memoir of Growing Up and Standing Up

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Press & Media
There Are No Glass Ceilings Left for Cristela Alonzo - Texas Monthly
Cristela Alonzo Talks About Her Comedy Special ‘Middle Classy’ & Wanting a Late Night Talk Show - ReMezcla
Interview: Comedian Cristela Alonzo On Her Sitcom And Her Love Of Music - It's Been A Minute Podcast
Cristela Alonzo to Star in CBS Comedy Produced by Jennifer Lopez - HipLatina
Getting Personal With Cristela Alonzo - NPR Latino USA
Review: Comedian Cristela Alonzo wants you to know there’s nothing weird about her success - Chicago Tribune
Comedian Cristela Alonzo On Fighting To Make A Network Sitcom And Her Love Of Music - NPR It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders
How Cristela Alonzo Is Carving Out Room For Stories Like Hers - Bustle
Cristela Is the Model for What Modern Sitcoms Should Be - The Atlantic
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Biography

Cristela Alonzo made history when she became the first Latina to create, produce and star in her own network sitcom, Cristela for ABC. Cristela made history again when she became the first Latina lead in a Disney Pixar film when she voiced the character of Cruz Ramirez in Cars 3.

Cristela has subsequently appeared in numerous films and TV shows, such as HBO’s His Dark Materials and Stephen Soderbergh’s The Laundromat. She has appeared on late night shows such as Conan, The Late Show with David Letterman and Stephen Colbert, and numerous talks shows and game shows as well as being a host on ABC’s The View. Her first stand-up specials, Lower Classy and Middle Classy are currently streaming on Netflix, along with her recently released third stand-up special, Upper Classy.

Cristela has also released a memoir, Music to My Years, with Simon & Schuster Publishing. In it, Alonzo shares personal stories of growing up as a first-generation Mexican-American in Texas and following her dreams to pursue a career in showbusiness. 

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