Melissa Villaseñor

Personal context

Summary

Melissa Villaseñor is a comedian, actor, impressionist, musician, and illustrator, known for Saturday Night Live, America’s Got Talent, and her stand-up work. Her comedy draws on celebrity impressions, pop culture, family, Mexican American culture, and self-deprecating humor. She became SNL’s first Latina repertory cast member, and one sketch used that distinction to joke about the show’s casting; her public record contains no sustained advocacy or public roles on political, DEI, or identity causes. In 2016, she was criticized for offensive old tweets, which she later described as a failed attempt to be edgy.