Ask a New Yorker: Tell us about yourself.
Chala: I’ve been in New York, actually Jersey, for the past six years, but I spend so much time in New York that I feel more of a community here. When I first moved here I was actually pretty depressed. I had no friends at all. I didn’t know how to cope with that because I came from a long term relationship. So I learned how to become social and socialize with different people.
Ask a New Yorker: Where are you from originally?
Chala: I’m from Kansas. I went back to Kansas and I was so bored, nothing to do. I couldn’t wait to come back to New York. I even told my family, ”you guys, say your last goodbyes, I’m not coming back, it stinks”. You can’t do anything wrong there. The police are on your case 24/7. They are around the corner ready to stop you.
Ask a New Yorker: I hear the people are super friendly in Kansas.
Chala: Yea, we are friendly but it’s just a facade. Don’t let it fool you. We are friendly on the outside but actually I think New Yorkers are friendlier. New Yorkers may have a chip on their shoulders but once you get to talking to New Yorkers they’re actually cool people. They’re more accepting of different cultures, but in Kansas, not so much. It’s very segregated where I’m from. We have a North side and East side. We have black town and Mexican town. You don’t see different types people hanging out with each other. When I came to New York I was in shock of interracial relationships.
Ask a New Yorker: What’s your heritage?
Chala: My mom is Mexican and my dad is Italian Irish. No one knows what I am. Sometimes I just say I’m Korean.
Ask a New Yorker: What are you doing today in front of this I Love New York booth?
Chala: We’re standing in front of the I love New York booth “stress -free vacation getaways”. If you’re upset about anything at all we provided a punching bag right over here. This guy over here is obviously a stressed out New Yorker. People are really cool about it, they’re like, “Yo my mom is really on my case today…”and they’ll start punching away.
Someone just walked up to tell us Farrah Fawcett just died.
Chala: That’s too bad because I was just reading yesterday that Ryan O’neil had finally asked her, after thirty years of dating, to marry him. A little late on the proposal.
Ask a New Yorker: What else are you up to?
Chala: I’m taking improv at Upright Citizens Brigade. It’s very tough. They are definitely very quick funny people. I’d rather just write. Lots of good improvisers are also writers. I’ve been told I’m a good writer. I work with a sketch comedy group. I love and it’s fun creating characters. I’ve worked on Saturday Night Live. I was inspired to be on set watching the main stars doing their funny thing.
Ask a New Yorker: What a great experience. How did you get that to happen?
Chala: I sent a postcard over to the casing director. I wrote, ”Hey, you know I’ve been told I’m funny…” Sometimes I’ve been featured, my face will be right there popping. I’ve watched SNL since I was a little kid. I’ve always liked that kind of humor. I just didn’t know if I could ever do it. Now I’m like, ”Wait a second, I could do that”.
Ask a New Yorker: Is there anything else you would like to share?
Chala: The dating life in New York is horrible. It’s a game. Everyone has to learn the game. I’m a Kansas girl. I wear my heart on my sleeve.
Ask a New Yorker: Are you asked out a lot?
Charla: The last person I met that I really liked was from North Carolina. I really like people from the South. They treat women differently there than here in New York. I do like being by myself sometimes. I like my space.
Ask a New Yorker: Thank you, Chala.
