Smart Money Happy Hour with Rachel Cruze & George Kamel

Episode: We Ask Anjelah Johnson-Reyes About Her Comedy Career and Money Habits
Date: November 13, 2025
Host: Ramsey Network
Guests: Anjelah Johnson-Reyes

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, comedians and money experts Rachel Cruze and George Kamel sit down with actress and stand-up star Anjelah Johnson-Reyes. The trio delves into Anjelah's rise from cheerleader to comedy icon, her early days as a struggling performer, and her unique approach to money, marriage, and work-life balance. With humor, insight, and vulnerability, Anjelah shares how she forged her path in entertainment—and how she and her husband navigate everything from spontaneous giving to first-class flights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Anjelah’s Path to Comedy and Fame

• Cheerleading as a Sign:
  • Started as a Raiderette for the Oakland Raiders at age 20, saw it as a sign to pursue entertainment.

    “If I make the squad, I'm going to do it for one year, then I'm going to move to LA and I'm going to pursue my dreams to be an actress.” — Anjelah (03:14)

• Early Days in Hollywood:
  • Moved to LA with no prior independent living experience.
  • Worked as an extra on shows like Friends (seasons 9 and 10), calling it her “favorite job ever.”

    “On the couch was this little college girl with her backpack and her book … That was me.” — Anjelah (06:50)

• Breakout on YouTube:
  • “Nail Salon” and “Bon Qui Qui” sketches gained viral popularity as early YouTube hits (2007).
  • Viral exposure led to more auditions, including for Mad TV (07:57–08:13).

2. Building a Career (and Surviving Financially)

• Making Ends Meet:
  • Relied on side hustles: go-go dancing (at kids’ parties and clubs), waitressing, catering, and promotional gigs (19:49–20:20).
  • Used “grocery shopping” from craft services as a resource while working as an extra.

    “I'd bring my satchel bag … I would grab some granola bars … This is me grocery shopping over here at the craft service.” — Anjelah (09:05)

• First Big Check:
  • Won $600 at a Mormon holiday party comedy competition, which felt life-changing at the time (09:51).
  • Emphasized the grind—taking every gig possible before standup took off.

3. Money Habits & Marriage Dynamics

• Money Tendencies Game:
  • Saver (but loves quantity over quality for everyday purchases, uses Amazon a lot).
  • Free spirit in budgeting, prefers experiences over things.
  • Moved from spontaneous to more planned giving after marrying (12:27–12:44).
• Marital Money Differences:
  • Husband entered marriage with a scarcity mindset, buying generic groceries and being frugal; Anjelah “upgraded” him.

    “He wouldn't buy name brand groceries ... then all of a sudden, the light turned on and he was like, oh, Gucci, oh.” — Anjelah (14:09)

  • Only major money fight was over wedding spending:

    “This is my money, I worked really hard … and this is how I want to spend it.” — Anjelah (16:36)

  • Now, all finances are combined, which Anjelah credits as a definite help for marital harmony (17:39).
• Combining Careers & Money:
  • She was financially ahead; husband was in Christian hip-hop, not earning much.
  • Now husband manages much of their investing and real estate endeavors.

4. Comedy Industry Stories

• Electric Moments:
  • Bonded with the Friends cast, even got invited to their Christmas party (07:17).
• YouTube’s Gender Impact:
  • Early YouTube success helped bypass the disadvantages of being a female comic by allowing audiences to preview her material.

    “You’re more inclined to give an unknown guy a shot … But I happened to come out during this time of YouTube …” — Anjelah (26:16)

• Staying True to Herself:
  • Her “clean” style came naturally; now an intentional brand choice but sometimes wishes she could say more adult material (24:45).
• Resilience:
  • Got dropped from MAD TV after the writer’s strike but leveraged viral fame into touring and self-producing her own specials (27:27–28:20).
  • Now produces specials for other comics and releases them directly to YouTube (32:02).

5. Family Influence and Staying Grounded

• Funny Roots:
  • Grew up in a hilarious family; grandpa was notorious for practical jokes and pitching her material (22:21–24:24).
• Faith and Clean Comedy:
  • Faith community provided initial opportunities (church joke-writing class led to the “Nail Salon” bit).
  • Clean material is an authentic reflection of her personality (24:45–25:16).

6. The Realities of Motherhood and Career

• Late Motherhood:
  • Recently became a mom in her 40s; comedy material now reflects this new phase (30:37–31:01).
  • Takes her toddler on tour—visits science museums across cities (31:05).

7. Advice and Game Segments

• ‘Finish the Financial Phrase’ Game:
  • Lively answers to prompts about best purchases, overpaying, and what's priceless (34:10–45:10).
  • Best purchase under $20? Anjelah: Grape cutter for her toddler (37:33).
• Advice to 20-Year-Old Self:

  “You'll be good. You're good. Don't stress. … It's gonna be so good. Chill, just chill.” — Anjelah (45:59)

  • George and Rachel echo the value of being present, not white-knuckling through your 20s (47:32–48:07).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Early Risk-Taking:

  “I told my mom, I'm gonna move to LA, be an actress. She was like, okay. I’ll believe it when I see it.” — Anjelah (04:44)

• Creative Hustle:

  “I was a Go Go dancer for kids. A Go Go dancer for children. … We were like the hype girls.” — Anjelah (10:29)

• On Clean Comedy & Integrity:

  "I didn’t try to work clean. It was just how I already was operating." — Anjelah (24:45)

• On Combining Finances in Marriage:

  “It is ours and it's Not. Well, this is mine. … That would be a headache for me...” — Anjelah (17:39)

• YouTube Changing the Game:

  “But I happened to come out during this time of YouTube, so people saw me already, and they knew what to expect.” — Anjelah (26:16)

Important Timestamps

• 00:05 — Show open, introductions
• 03:14 — Anjelah’s start as a Raiderette, leap to LA
• 06:00–07:14 — Friends extra stories, invited to Christmas party
• 08:50 — Discussing financial realities of showbiz, craft service “grocery shopping”
• 09:51–10:18 — First major comedy paycheck wins: $600 at a Mormon holiday party
• 12:27–13:01 — Spontaneous vs. planned giving with her husband, money tendencies
• 14:09–15:03 — Husband’s transition from scarcity to abundance
• 16:04–17:59 — First money fight: wedding spending and combining finances
• 19:49–21:26 — Side hustles, the grind of early career
• 24:45–25:16 — Clean comedy, faith, and authenticity
• 26:16–26:43 — YouTube’s impact for women in comedy
• 27:01–28:20 — MAD TV, writer’s strike, shift to touring and production
• 30:37–31:12 — Becoming a mom in her 40s, life on tour with a toddler
• 34:10–45:10 — Quick-fire game: finish the financial phrase, best/worst purchases, what’s priceless
• 45:41–48:11 — Reflections/advice for her 20-year-old self and life perspective shifts

Game Highlights and Fun Revelations

• Best purchase under $20:

  • Rachel: High-quality phone charger
  • George: Toilet nightlight—“It lights my way to the throne.” (36:29)
  • Anjelah: Grape cutter for her toddler (37:33)

• Biggest splurge:

  • Rachel: Babysitters, Louboutin heels, wedding ring.
  • Anjelah: Husband’s luxury watches/“timepieces.”
  • George: Frequent, expensive haircuts and a specialty jacket.

• What’s absolutely priceless:

  • Anjelah: Community, family (44:48)
  • Rachel: Family and sleep (45:01)
  • George (with a newborn): Sleep (45:05)

• Go-to white lie:

  • Anjelah: “Gotta talk to my husband” when she wants to avoid giving or declining (52:11)

Tone, Flow, and Vibe

The conversation mirrors a vibrant happy hour with plenty of honesty, jokes, self-deprecating humor, and warm encouragement. Topics seamlessly move from comedy shop talk to deep discussions about money habits and family, with personal anecdotes and playful banter throughout. Anjelah is candid about her unconventional journey, gracious with advice, and never afraid to poke fun at herself or the struggles she and her peers have faced.

Final Thoughts

This episode is an inspiring, entertaining look at betting on yourself, finding balance in marriage, and staying grounded while pursuing big dreams. Anjelah’s journey from extra to viral comedian to wise industry veteran offers plenty of laughs and lessons for anyone chasing an unconventional path—or just looking to get a little smarter (and happier) about their money.

Want to hear about another unconventional journey? Tune in next week as Matt and Abby share how they went from broke college kids to “unplanned influencers.”