SASHA MERCI
Name: Sasha Merci
Age you feel: 29 but I’m 30
Where you grew up: I grew up on the Bronx on the 4 line. Yuuuuu heardddd!!!
Cultural background: Dominican
Tell us about growing up in NYC and how that has influenced the way you approach your life?
NYC is a place where you are forced to come into your own. You need to know who you are at a very young age so that no one picks at you. You develop the art of roasting people, but also if you dish it you need to know who to take it. I approach life in a way where I’m very blunt, but at the same time not take myself too seriously.
When was the first time you fell in love with comedy?
My whole family is funny! I think comedy has always been the love of my life, & like the “love of your life” sometimes you take it for granted. People were always drawn to my humor, & comedy came so easy to me that I overlooked it even being a talent. I wanted to master other skills, but everything made its way back to comedy.
How did you know that you had a knack for making people laugh?
The Truth is, at first I didn’t. I would just say things that came to my head and people would laugh. I’ll laugh afterward like “ha, ha... I guess that was pretty funny.”
There are not that many Latinx women who are comedians and highly visible in Hollywood, who do you turn to for advice, do you have any mentors?
Aida Rodriguez is Hilarious, she has given me great advice. I think there are LatinX women comedians that are funny, but there isn’t a strong enough community so we are all just mentoring one another.
Talk to us about your new show on FUSE! How did it come about?
The way that FUSE came about was interesting. Dee and I were doing our own podcast, and our own live stand up called SANCOCHO shows. FUSE wanted to be part of our growth and give us a larger platform to be our comedic selves. It’s truly surreal.
How is it working with one of your best friends on camera?
It’s fun and humbling, because this person knows exactly where I came from. We are sharing these up and down moments together. Working together makes it easier to stay focused because we are being an anchor for one another in this industry.
Is there anything about the show you’d like to re-work or add on to?
What I would like to add to the show are more sketches. A bigger budget to bring on more talented writers and performers, besides that I love talking shit with my BFF.
How was the pandemic affected your creativity if at all?
The pandemic has forced me to look within myself and find out what is true to be me. I’m no longer interested in making things for everyone to "love me". I’m all about making things from my heart, because what’s true to me is more relatable than what’s trending.
Being in the public eye can get lonely, how do you keep your spirits up when you're in LA and 3000 miles away from your family in NYC?
It’s definitely tough!!! Man I was not prepared and still, I’m adjusting, but what keeps me in high spirit is the reason I am doing this, my family. My purpose.
What's one movie that if remade you'd want to star in?
Tomb Raider!!! Yo I just loved that character since the beginning of time, she is so badass. I’m working out just in case they hit me up for the remake but with a sense of humor!
Netflix called and they have a budget and a slot for a new series, what do you pitch them?
MAN I GOT SO MANY IDEAS!! But for now, I’d want to keep developing and investing in my show Dating Has No Merci. It’s about dating in the LatinX community with a blend of superstition.
What have you enjoyed the most about pursuing your creativity?
Having fun doing what I love! Sometimes it could be stressful when you have due dates and traveling to multiple shows, but it’s all worth it in the end.
Do you feel that being seen as an influencer has ever negatively affected the way people see you? Do you think people have any misconceptions about you?
Right now I don’t know what misconceptions people have of me. I try to keep it as real as possible. People are going to think what they want to think regardless.
Let's manifest this, where would you like to be in the next five years?
In 5 years I’ll have a #1 TV series where I can write/act and star in. I’ll have a successful production company where I can help create shows/movies for up and coming creatives like myself.
What type of legacy do you want to leave behind?
I want to be an iconic & an important piece in the entertainment world and change the traditional views of what “tv entertainment” is or should be. I wanna be the Quincy Jones, Clarence Avant & Shonda Rhimes of my generation!
Finish these sentences
My favorite smell is : Cinnamon Apple, reminds me of Christmas.
The last time I laughed until I cried was : I can’t remember because I’m always laughing.
My favorite person to follow on social media is : Will Smith… But I think he is everyone’s favorite.
One song that gets me hyped when needed is : City Girls - ACT UP
If I was running for president my slogan would be : Let’s work together, to get our shit together.
The women in my life are : RESILIENT!
I am grateful for : FAMILY.
Loved learning more about Sasha Merci? Follow her here and check out her show on FUSE!
All photos by Erin Patrice O’Brien
