How I found myself — by impersonating other people | Melissa Villaseñor | Ted Talks Daily

Intro

In this episode of Ted Talks Daily, comedian and impressionist Melissa Villaseñor shares her journey of self-discovery through impersonating other people. She discusses how her Mexican-American background and love for comedy shaped her career and helped her find her own voice.

Main Takeaways

Finding Her Talent and Early Success

• Melissa Villaseñor discovered her talent for impressions at a young age and used it to bring joy and laughter to others.
• She achieved her dream of becoming a comedian and joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 2016.
• Melissa’s Mexican-American background and upbringing in Los Angeles have influenced her comedic style and voice impressions.

Struggles and Self-Discovery

• Melissa initially struggled to find her own voice among the voices she impersonated.
• She found success by making fun of things in life and talking about her Mexican-American background.
• People laughed at her impression bits, but not when she talked about herself, which motivated her to find her own voice.

Personal Growth and Vulnerability

• Melissa shares her struggles with low self-esteem and uses positive affirmations to overcome them.
• She believes that personalized affirmations work better and shares her vulnerability in her stand-up shows.
• Melissa emphasizes the importance of being true to yourself for happiness.

Celebrating Mexican Heritage

• Melissa’s energy is like a proud dad, and she likes to make fun of her Mexican heritage.
• Despite not speaking Spanish, she proudly embraces her Mexican background.
• She says, “I bleed tapatío,” referring to a popular brand of hot sauce in Mexican cuisine.

Summary

Discovering Her Talent and Finding Success

Melissa Villaseñor, known for her incredible voice impressions, found her talent for impersonating celebrities at a young age. Her Mexican-American background and upbringing in Los Angeles shaped her comedic style and voice impressions. She achieved her dream of becoming a comedian and joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 2016, experiencing early success in her career.

Finding Her Own Voice and Overcoming Struggles

While Melissa excelled at impersonating others, she struggled to find her own voice as a comedian. However, she eventually found success by making fun of things in life and incorporating her Mexican-American background into her comedy. This journey of self-discovery motivated her to embrace her uniqueness and find her own voice.

Personal Growth and Embracing Vulnerability

Melissa opens up about her struggles with low self-esteem and shares how she uses positive affirmations to overcome them. She believes that personalized affirmations are more effective and incorporates vulnerability into her stand-up shows. Melissa emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself for happiness and personal growth.

Celebrating Mexican Heritage with Pride

Despite not speaking Spanish, Melissa proudly embraces her Mexican heritage and incorporates it into her comedy. Her energy is described as that of a proud dad, and she enjoys making fun of her Mexican background. She humorously says, “I bleed tapatío,” symbolizing her love for Mexican culture and cuisine.

Conclusion

Melissa Villaseñor’s journey of self-discovery through impersonating others highlights the importance of embracing one’s uniqueness and finding one’s own voice. Her Mexican-American background and love for comedy have shaped her career, allowing her to bring joy and laughter to audiences around the world. By sharing her vulnerabilities and celebrating her heritage, Melissa inspires others to be true to themselves and find happiness in their own identities.