An Interview With Joanna Estrada (AKA Chona E.)
A comedian is a person who makes people laugh by telling jokes and amusing stories… someone who does this extremely well is Joanna Estrada, AKA Chona E. On social media, she’s known as @funnyjojo12, but either way, she is San Antonio’s own celebrity comedian and a viral sensation. She’s a comedian, actress, and plus-size model who shares a daily dose of laughter with her followers.
Joanna Estrada Biography
Joanna Estrada was born and raised on San Antonio’s Southside, a place she still holds dear to her heart. Since Joanne’s high school days, drama was always an important part of her life. Wanting to continue in the industry and further her knowledge in drama, in 2002, she auditioned and was accepted to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Located in New York City, the academy is a private, nonprofit college conservatory for the performing arts, whose alumni includes Jason Derulo, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Paul Sorvino and Tyne Daly. In the first year of acting school, she enrolled in dance classes, such as Dance and Movement for the Actor; voice production courses, like Voice Production and Speech, as well as Stage Combat classes. During the second year, Joanna focused more on the film aspect of acting, enrolling in courses such as Acting for the Camera.
Being passionate about bringing laughter to all around her, you can still find her doing comedy in her hometown of San Antonio, Texas, at places like the Hi-Tones Bar, Bentley’s Bar and several car shows and fundraisers.
Joanna has been chosen as the Master of Ceremonies for Taste of the Southside, which will take place on April 13th and 14th, 2019. The festival, which benefits the local Por Vida Academy Charter High School, is a great chance for people to experience all that San Antonio’s Southside has to offer, like art, culture, food and music. Today, she is married to her husband Bill, or Billy as he is sometimes called. The couple have a daughter and their second child is due this summer. We were able sit and meet with the Latina powerhouse and get to know her a bit.
What got you interested in comedy?
Joanna: Comedy was always a way to stand out among a crowd. Growing up I was the tallest girl in class and by 10 yrs. old I was the chubbiest. I was not comfortable at all in my own skin. I did get a few “fat girl” comments here and there. So, comedy actually became away for me to shy away from my body changes. I would make fun of myself before anyone else got the chance to do it. (Can’t believe I’m saying this out loud…) It worked out great for me in high school, I met my husband and began to fall in love with who I was inside and out.
Who are your influences?
Joanna: I can say the moment I saw America Ferrera in “Real Women Have Curves.” (Real Women Have Curves is a 2002 comedy-drama movie, based on the 1990 stage play of the same name. America Ferrera stars in the movie as Ana Garcia).
I was like “so you’re saying there’s a chance?” I have a strong appreciation for those who overcome adversity. It truly drives me. Lastly, I have to say my brother Abe who Is on my team, has been a major influence in all of this. He’s been creating art through music for decades, not in it for fame but just to fulfill his niche for music. I let life get in the way of my craft and he never stopped pushing me to film and make laughs. I’m so glad I did! (Her brother, Abraham (Abe) Solis, directs and edits her videos, produces her songs and plays the drums on her “Cucuy” video).
What do you think Taste of the Southside means for the community?
Joanna: Oh man, this is such a huge deal to me as a Southsider. The Southside has a reputation of being one of the “ghetto” sides of town and it’s so much more than that. The Southside community will get to showcase all of the amazing, talented, and tenacious people that were bred here. It’s an opportunity for our community to shine, give back, and come together. It also provides an opportunity for the young generation of the Southside of San Antonio to see and meet all of the success that has come out of the Southside. What an amazing event this will be, I’m super pumped!
Who’s your all-time favorite comedian?
Joanna: This has evolved over time, growing up it was Chris Farley, then Cheri Oteri ugh loved her. Then of course George Lopez. And here recently I LOVE to watch Melissa McCarthy, I mean I have to support my GordiChulas!! (Chris Farley was an actor and comedian, Cheri Oteri is a comic actress, George Lopez is an actor and comedian and Melissa McCarthy is an actress, comedian, fashion designer, producer and writer).
As a Latina from the Southside following her dreams, what does that mean to you?
Joanna: I have a little girl who looks up to her momma, and it means the world to me that she gets to see me fulfill my dream. I may not be an A-list celebrity, shoot I don’t even consider myself a celebrity, I’m just a gordita from Palo Alto who loves to make people laugh. Being able to have an audience of people who enjoy my comedy, enjoy the projects my team and I put out, and want more? Shoot, I’m on cloud nine! So incredibly grateful to everyone, looking forward to what else the future holds for us.
How do you handle negative feedback?
Joanna: I try my very best not to allow the negative feedback to knock me down. I got a few negative comments from “I Lika My Phat” and a few from my other videos. I actually read every single comment I get on my videos, some I take to heart as a way to grow and some I just keep on scrolling. And sometimes I have to laugh at how ignorant people can be, I actually posted one of them on my page. Overall, I look at the glass half full and try to find a way to spin the negative into a positive. Except for the private messages I get from the thirsty dudes, I usually ignore them. But once they start sending me eggplant emojis, pos fuera contigo! Mmmhmm true story lol. (So, for those of you who don’t know, an eggplant emoji represents a certain part of the male anatomy).
How do you do juggle everything in your life?
Joanna: Ha! I’m not as busy at the moment but I’m about to be. Currently, I have a full-time job, I’m a mommy, pet owner, and wife. And as of September 2018, I’m Chona E and as of November 2018, I’m knocked up ? so how do I answer your question? I’ve always been good at multi-tasking, It’s truly an art. But with all the extra hats I’ve recently acquired, my team has been essential to juggling everything. At home my husband helps a bunch, he’s a hands-on father so that’s a tremendous help. And with my Chona stuff I have my niece, cousin, and bro to help with the projects. So together we make it happen. (One of Joanna’s team includes her niece, Janeskha Solis, who does everything from co-writing, managing and makeup artist).
What advice do you have for women wanting to get into comedy?
Joanna: Do your research, find your influences, sit in on open mic night find inspiration. Just do it, be yourself, don’t second guess it and watch it pay off. Just like anything else practice makes perfect, comedy is no different, somethings work and some don’t. Start somewhere don’t give up! 
Joanna Estrada (Chona E.) Best, Funniest & Most Popular Videos
So, I wanted to end this post with a few of her best videos! The one that started it all, back in 2010, was a cell phone video that her niece took while she performed “San Antonio Girls,” a parody of Katy Perry’s 2010 hit song, “California Gurls.”
August 28th, 2018- I Lika My Phat- I Lika My Phat is a parody of Cardi B’s (with Bad Bunny and J. Balvin) 2018 award-winning song, “I Like It.” At the end of the video, Joanna features a special shout out to Petey Dumas, her childhood friend who, as Joanna puts it, “is kicking leukemia right in the balls!”
October 16th, 2018- Cucuy- Cucuy is a parody of The Cranberries’ 1994 song, “Zombie.” Cucuy, also referred to as Coco or Cuco (male version) and Coca or Cuca (female version), is a mythical demonic spirit from Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries and cultures.
December 31st, 2018- Chubby Up- According to Joanna’s social media pages, she recorded Chubby Up because, “I wanted to use the recent exposure I’ve been getting to let all my PLUS SIZE women know TO LOVE YOURSELF! Of Course, I had to add some comedy to this because otherwise it wouldn’t be me. 2019 don’t have nothing on the BBW community, TIME TO TAKE OVER!”
January 24th, 2019- Tax Refund- Tax Refund pokes fun at the upcoming tax season and is a parody of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s 2018 song, “Shallow,” from the movie- A Star is Born.
February 14th, 2019- True Love Stories– Posted on February 14th, 2019 (Valentine’s Day), True Love Stories is the 1st of 3 episodes in the miniseries. The video takes a brief look into Joanna and Bill’s marriage, as Joanna shares her favorite memories of Bill, including hilarious grocery store adventures.
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