Shows
Act Up With Alana JActing Up With Laura MerliThis week Alana taps in one of her favorite stand up comedians, the hilarious Laura Merli. Laura talks about what pushed her to pursue comedy, some of her most memorable sets, navigating frustrating jobs, her love of reading popular psychology, and so much more. Check out Laura’s stand up special Belly Slappin’ Fun on YouTube here, and tune in to learn, laugh and level up with Laura on this week’s episode. Follow Laura @passiveabrasiveFollow Act Up @actupwithajFollow Alana @alanaj.tv2025-06-301h 02Act Up With Alana JActing Up with Bill “The Billionaire” GilbertThis week Alana taps in comedian, actor and host Bill “The Billionaire” Gilbert. They discuss his journey from former athlete to stand up comic, how he manifested his self-produced Amazon special, Savedish But God Knows My Heart, and his debut performance at The Apollo Theatre. This one is laden with gems, so tune in now to learn, laugh, and level up with Bill The Billionaire. Follow Bill @billionairecomedy06Follow @actupwithajFollow @alanaj.tv------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Follow @actupwithajFollow @alanaj.tvWebsite: alanaj.tvProudly recording out of Bravery Studios. Follow @braverystudiosnj2025-06-0957 minAct Up With Alana JActing Up With Frankie DaPonteThis episode features actor, singer, K-Pop star, and Alana's former roommate, the multitalented Frankie DaPonte. Frankie takes us through the incredible chapters of his journey from acting in school dramas to his full-fledged career as a K-Pop star working and training in Korea. Alana and Frankie reminisce about how they met, the joys of living together and their creative collaborations - you can check out one of their projects here. Frankie also discusses his latest single "Birthday" available to stream here now. Listen, learn, and level up from Frankie on this week's episode, and make sure to subscribe. Follow Frankie ...2025-01-1855 minAct Up With Alana JActing Up With Gordon Baker-BoneEpisode 29 features stand-up comedian and writer, the hilarious Gordon Baker-Bone. Gordon discusses his unique entrance into the world of stand up comedy via an offer from a former college professor. He speaks on writing for the MTV Show Yo Momma, working in television production, as well as the inspiration behind his own COVID-born podcast Period Piece. You can stream his comedy album Nobody? Just Me? on all streaming platforms, and follow him for all live show updates. Learn, laugh, and level up with Gordon in this week's episode, and don't forget to subscribe. Follow Gordon Baker-Bone @bakerboneFollow @alanaj.tvFollow @actupwithaj2025-01-061h 03Act Up With Alana JActing Up With One DayThis week, Alana reconnects with her longtime friend, collaborator, and favorite DJ, Eric "One Day" Saldarriaga. Together, they reflect on the many chapters of their friendship, including co-hosting the "One Day Radio Show," working with Killerhiphop.com and The Source, and curating events. Eric shares his journey as a DJ, music producer, and event producer, offering insights into what it takes to excel in the industry. He also gives us a sneak peek into his upcoming projects, including his highly anticipated birthday bash in Puerto Rico in February 2025. Tune in to the episode, and subscribe to the show.
2024-12-181h 07Act Up With Alana JActing Up with Sita SarkarEpisode 27 features actress, writer and artivist the lovely Sita Sarkar. Alana and Sita discuss meeting at an audition and having instant chemistry as the best friends they wound up portraying on screen together. Sita opens up about her beginnings in classical Indian dance and how that influenced her acting pursuits later on. She discusses her advocacy for better representation of Bengladeshi people and all South Asians on screen as well as her future artistic plans. You can also watch Sita and Alana in the film The Next Step available on Amazon Prime. Listen, learn and level up with Sita...2024-11-271h 00Act Up With Alana JActing Up on Law & OrderOn this episode, Alana shares her experience working as an actor on the set of Law & Order. She touches on her acting journey up to this point, and how this opportunity was a true full circle moment. Listen to the full episode and subscribe here.
2024-11-1942 min
Act Up With Alana JActing Up with Jason Enrique Again
This week Alana is joined by fellow Bravery Studios podcaster, the host of 1st Class 2nd Place, Jason Enrique. Alana and Jason reminisce on their days working together at Maggiano's Little Italy and discuss how their artistic journeys have intersected over a decade of friendship. You'll feel like a fly on a wall eavesdropping on a raw, relatable conversation between friends, so this one is definitely for you if you love some "tea", as the kids used to say. Listen to the full episode to learn, laugh, level up, and, make sure you subscribe.
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Act Up With Alana JActing Up With Jenni RuizaIn this episode, Alana sits down with her friend and multi-talented performer, Jenni Ruiza. Jenni shares her acting journey, particularly being inspired by Bette Midler as a child, she knew she was destined to entertain. She discusses how she earned a hosting segment alongside Alicia Menendez on Fusion, writing and performing sketch comedy for the Latino community, and her current screenwriting endeavors. You can catch her as the star of the film Playing Sam, available on Roku, and up next, in Dying for Sex on Hulu and Zero Day on Netflix, both coming in 2025. Tune in to learn, laugh, and le...2024-11-051h 09
Act Up With Alana JActing Up With Marc ReignThis week's guest is actor, filmmaker, and creative engineer, Marc Reign. Marc and Alana recall first connecting through her BET Digital Series Two Grown for which Marc served as a Director of Photography and actor. He discusses his acting roots, having a divine intervention to change his college major to Theatre, premiering as a lead in John Patrick Shanley's play CANDLELIGHT, as well as booking roles on Blue Bloods and Law & Order: Organized Crime. Check out the full episode, and make sure to subscribe. Follow Marc Reign @marc_reignFfollow @alanaj.tvFollow @actupwithaj
2024-10-301h 10
Act Up With Alana JActing Up with "LoganX" HillThis week we tapped in rapper, artist, friend, and inspiration to Alana, the one and only Quinton "Logan Raps" Hill. Alana and Logan discuss his artistic trajectory from rapping in Church as a middle school kid, to creating Good Fella Media - a legendary digital hip-hop brand that was ahead of its time - straight out of Rutgers University. Shifting his focus from journalism and radio to generating music, Logan has consistently been putting out tracks and visuals, co-created with his wife. You can check out his most recent project Xavier's Worst Student available here. Listen, learn, and level...2024-10-231h 05
Act Up With Alana JActing Up With Isabel "Velise" AlvarezThis week ACT Up features singer, songwriter, and Alana's BFF, Isabel "Velise" Alvarez. Isabel discusses what motivated her to become a singer, and how she developed her songwriting abilities. She also shares her experience performing on SNL as a backup singer for Raye earlier this year, and discusses her upcoming EP Velise, dropping on November 22nd. Her producer Charles Goold also stops by to discuss what it was like collaborating on the project. Listen, learn, and level up with Isabel, and don't forget to subscribe.
Follow Velise @xovelise2024-10-1648 min
Act Up With Alana JActing Up With Juan BagoThis week Alana taps in comedic actor, writer, producer, husband, and father Michael “Juan Bago” Diaz. Bago enlightens us on his artistic journey from Connecticut college kid to viral comedic content creator.
From hustling to create film projects and casting out of his Washington Heights apartment to becoming a pillar in the Latino comedy community with live sketch comedy and viral parodies, the man, the myth, the legend has come a long way. Learn, listen, and level up with Juan Bago, and don’t forget to subscribe.
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Act Up With Alana JActing Up with JuJuThis week Alana chops it up with creative director, stylist,
fashion designer and actress Julissa "JuJu" Peralta. JuJu gives us the inside scoop on her experience competing on Hulu’s first-ever fashion competition show, Dress My Tour, and speaks on how the show has helped advance her career. She also opens up about her experience as a
music video model, hitting a creative block in the years prior to filming Dress My Tour, and how she both persevered and educated others looking to follow in her footsteps in the process. Listen, learn and level up with JuJu on this wee...2024-10-021h 09
Act Up With Alana JActing Up With Robbie MaxxThis week Alana is visited by New Jersey musician, songwriter, entrepreneur, father, and husband, Robbie Maxx. Robbie takes us on his journey into music, bearing witness to studio sessions with the Fugees and finding solace in pursuing his passion for writing rhymes. He speaks on his evolution as a human and artist, the joys of fatherhood, and finding happiness in being true to you. You can check out his latest release "Set Me Free" with Nate Ouellette here, and head over to Destination
Happiness for merch. Listen to the episode, and subscribe to the show here.
Follo...2024-09-241h 03
Act Up With Alana JActing Up SoloThis week, you're in for a unique treat - an Alana J solo
special. Alana shares some of the most impactful moments from her creative journey thus far, speaking on her experience working for The Maury Show, collaborating with Viacom and BET, as well as some of her sobriety story. It gets real on Episode 17 so tap in to learn, laugh, and level up with Alana J, and make sure you subscribe.
2024-09-1741 min
Act Up With Alana JActing Up With TwonDonEpisode 16 features NJ musician and entrepreneur, TwonDon. TwonDon
discusses his hip hop roots, growing up with his mom working for the legendary
Sugar Hill Gang, and how that influenced his artistic ambitions. He speaks on
the evolution of his music and clothing brand, UpperClass International, the
joys of performing overseas, and much more. Listen to the episode, learn and
level up with TwonDown and make sure to subscribe to the podcast.
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Alana @alanaj.tv
2024-09-091h 08
Act Up With Alana JActing Up With Theresa MoriartyThis week’s episode features stand-up and sketch comedian, podcaster, actor, model, and mom Theresa Moriarty, aka T-Mo. Theresa discusses her artistic journey beginning as a child actor, and how having a daughter has changed her perspective on acting and life in general. Check out her podcast, Exaggerated, and if you’re local to NYC, catch her on stage doing stand-up or with her sketch team Beverly.
Listen to the episode, and don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast.
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@tmolynn
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@alanaj.tv2024-09-0200 min
Act Up With Alana JActing Up With Katherine NunezEpisode 14 taps in actress, model, mom and author, the fabulous Katherine Nunez. Katherine discusses returning to acting as an adult after earlier endeavors as a pregnant teen. She enlightens on her experience rebranding from model to professional actress, how she landed a role in the Lifetime movie Secret Love Triangle, as well as her upcoming debut as an author with her book Tales of a Latina Girl. Learn and level up with Katherine in the full episode and don’t forget to subscribe.
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ACT Up With Alana J @actupwithaj
2024-08-271h 02
Act Up With Alana JActing Up With Mary Jane Murphy
This week on ACT Up With Alana J, we meet stand-up comedian, producer, and content creator Mary Jane Murphy. Mary Jane discusses beginning her comedy career in Hawaii, being a child actor, and for funsies, sparks a conversation about good old-fashioned masturbation. Spoiler alert, this episode
ain't safe for work, and we love that for you. Check out the full episode, and don't forget to subscribe.
Follow Mary Jane Murphy @maryjanemurphycomedy
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2024-08-191h 03
Act Up With Alana JActing Up With Katherine G. MendozaEpisode 12 welcomes producer, content creator, writer, and native New Yorker, Katherine G. Mendoza. We get candid about content, discussing the need to approach creation from a data-oriented perspective, a skill she acquired working for Buzzfeed. She shares about her early background with acting, writing essays for PopSugar, befriending and collaborating with the iconic Gina Brillon and much more. Listen to the episode, learn, level up, and don’t forget to subscribe.
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Alana @alanaj.tv
2024-08-121h 09
Act Up With Alana JActing Up With Dwayne Tousand AgainDwayne Tousand aka Dwayne The Comic returns for Episode 11 of ACT Up. Dwayne gives us his top 5 memorable moments of the podcast thus far, and updates us on his adjustment moving from the Dirty South to Dirty Jersey. Additionally, the two discuss witnessing Kevin Hart’s comedic genius live at The Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, and their favorite live stand-up performances they’ve seen thus far. Listen to the episode, subscribe, and drop a comment. 2024-08-051h 00
Act Up With Alana JActing Up With Black RoseThis week ACT Up features content creator, actress, artist, comedian and glamma, Black Rose. Rose walks us through her artistic evolution from theatre kid to stand-up comedian and every creative medium in between. She speaks on using her social media presence for comedy and activism alike, plus the joy of being a glamma, which she wrote a song about that you can check out here. Listen to the episode, and don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast.
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@iamblackrosenyc
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2024-07-291h 05Act Up With Alana JActing Up With Melissa SweetsEpisode 9 taps in Melissa Chaile aka Melissa Sweets, a digital and music marketing
maven, former radio personality for both the iconic Spanish-language station La
Mega
97.9 and Sirius XM’s Shade
45,
self-made entrepreneur, and wrestling mom. Melissa discusses her creative and
entrepreneurial journey and some of the strategies she employed to successfully
self-employ as a digital marketing professional. Melissa also shares what it’s
been like to have her son be a source of inspiration for a healthier lifestyle.
Listen, and if you liked it or learned something, subscribe and leave a comment
on
2024-07-221h 13
Act Up With Alana JActing Up With Jared WatersThis week’s episode features a pillar of the New York City comedy
scene, the hilarious and humble Jared Waters, aka Turbo. You might have seen
him on ABC's Tamron Hall Show, Amazon Prime, or on
stage at comedy clubs nationwide. Listen to Jared's comedy journey from Tampa,
FL to NYC in this episode laden with gems of Turbo wisdom, and don’t forget to
follow the podcast and subscribe on YouTube!
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2024-07-151h 07
Act Up With Alana JActing Up with Sibel Damar
On this week’s episode, Alana features multi-hyphenate creative Sibel Damar. She’s an actor, comedian, character actor, impressionist and content creator, who’s been seen on CBS’s FBI, and can be heard on the narrative podcast Academy streaming on Amazon and Wondery. The two discuss Sibel’s experience working on the FBI set, the serendipitous story of how they met, and the journey of being a NYC actor both on social media and IRL. Tune in, and don’t forget to like and subscribe on YouTube!
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Follow...2024-07-081h 13Act Up With Alana JActing Up with Jason Enrique
On this week’s episode, Alana taps in fellow Bravery podcaster, multihyphenate creative, friend, and former coworker, Jason Enrique. The two discuss Jason’s artistic journey, from being rapper Jay Maverick back in the day, to currently directing, acting and becoming the diligent host of his podcast 1stClass2ndPlace. Listen to the episode and make sure to subscribe.
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2024-07-021h 11Act Up With Alana JActing Up With Ramon Pesante
This week's episode features Telly award-winning filmmaker, Webby and Emmy-nominated
Director, Ramon Pesante. Ramon has accolades for days including working
for BET, Wendy Williams and Sherri Shepherd to name a few. The two talk
about their most memorable celebrity encounters, Ramon's journey as a
creative professional and parent, and his candid POV on reality TV. Tune in to
learn, laugh and level up with Ramon right now.
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Ramon @ramon_pesante
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Follow Alana @alanaj.tv2024-06-241h 02Act Up With Alana JActing Up With JaniThis week Alana tags in another very special guest, the
lovely, multi-talented Janisha aka Jani. Jani is most commonly known for her
rise to Instafame, but she is so much more than meets the IG (see what I did
there?). The two discuss harsh truths and stories about being women in the
entertainment industry, Jani's journey as a young dedicated mother, and how
they were initially connected by Nick Cannon. Get ready for a ride, and
warning: some subject matter may be triggering.
Follow Jani @ohhjani
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2024-06-171h 35Act Up With Alana JActing Up with Rachel La LocaThis week we’re acting up with creator and producer of The HERlarious Show, host of the multi-award winning podcast Latinos Out Loud, the one and only Rachel La Loca. Rachel is also a comedienne, writer, professor, mother, and dear friend of Alana, so this episode is extra special. The ladies discuss the origins of The HERlarious Show, the success of Rachel's film "The Swimmers" and so much more. Learn, laugh and level up with these two Locas, right now!
Follow Rachel @RachelLaLoca
Follow Latinos Out Loud @wearelatinosoutloud
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...2024-06-101h 08Act Up With Alana JActing Up With Courtney BrownThis episode is one for the hip-hop history books, featuring the multifaceted Courtney Brown. Courntey is a hip hop historian, journalist, writer for The Source Magazine, and supermom. She enlightens us on her
friendship with the late, great DMX, her stint as a "studio rat" for Pharrell and others, navigating independence from a very young age, and being a manicurist for some of the biggest names in hip hop. Grab your popcorn and tune
in for endless anecdotes about hip-hop royalty.
Follow Courtney @thinkbiggie
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Foll...2024-06-031h 09Act Up With Alana JActing Up With Dwayne TousandOn the premiere episode of ACT Up with Alana J, our
host is joined by Louisiana native, stand-up comedian, and podcaster, Dwayne Tousand. They discuss their experiences relocating from one state to another,
the culture shock that comes with it, and each market's respective comedy scenes. From the Dirty South to Dirty Jersey, there's something in this for everyone.
Follow Dwayne @dwaynethecomic
Follow Dwayne's podcast Joce
& Float
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Proudly recording out of Bravery Studios.
Follow...2024-05-2753 min