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Sasha Merci Medina: A New Yorker Dominicana in Hollywood
Comedian and actress Sasha Merci Medina has a simple message: follow your dreams, and happiness will come. Born and raised in the Bronx, she grew up surrounded by the energy of a Dominican household in the busy streets of New York. However, after she moved to LA, her Dominican culture and identity faced some misconceptions.
Meet Dominican Comedian Sasha Merci Medina and Her Hollywood Journey
In a lighthearted interview with LATV, available to watch now on the LATV+ app, Sasha Medina opens up about her experiences as a comedian and actress navigating the complexities of her New York Dominicana identity.
“I am Dominican American, born and raised in New York. As soon as I walk out the door, I don’t have to explain to anybody what I am. People will maybe guess I’m Puerto Rican, Cuban, but they will be in the bold part of my culture and where I’m from. But out here, when I speak Spanish, people go ‘Señorita, you speak Spanish?’” Medina laughed. “I answer that it is ‘because I’m from an island that also speaks Spanish.’ So a lot of people struggle with the idea that I am a Latina. And I know this because I pray to three people every night before I go to sleep: ‘En nombre del Padre, del Hijo, de Biri Biri Bam Bam y Bad Bunny’.”
Meet Sasha Merci Medina
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Sasha’s journey to the spotlight began in 2016 with open mics and stand-up shows in New York. But it was Instagram that became her true stage, where her hilarious clips on @sashamerci catapulted her into stand-up gigs and acting roles, including notable appearances in “Honorable Mike” and “De Lo Mio,” a 2019 indie film where she collaborated with childhood friend Darlene Demorizi. This led to the creation of their stand-up show together, “Sancocho,” and the Fuse TV hit “Like Share, Dímelo” in 2020.
But it was her role in the Lionsgate feature film “Righteous Thieves” that truly skyrocketed her career. The movie, directed by Anthony Nardolillo, is a thrilling ride that explores the recovery of stolen artwork from Nazis during WWII. Medina portrays Nadia, a Dominican woman with a tough upbringing, adding a touch of Dominican flavor to the predominantly Latinx cast. Her authenticity and natural ability were so evident that she was cast into the role without even having to audition.
In our interview, Medina sheds light on how her family helped shape her sense of humor: “I just feel that what doesn’t kill you makes you funnier. I grew up in a family in which we used humor to deal with important things in our lives. People think I’m funny, but my family is funnier. I was so skinny and my family would call me ‘flaca enclenca.’ At first, I was like ‘What is that?.’ But it is ‘flaca’ and ‘clen-cla’ is the sound of bones in a bag,” she recalled, laughing.
‘El Teteo’: Dominican parties in LA
Besides comedy and acting, Sasha has also been making a name for herself in Los Angeles’ party scene. Fueled by a desire to bring a part of New York’s party culture into the West Coast, she initiated the ‘El Teteo’ parties, which try to capture the essence of an authentically Dominican celebration. The turnout speaks for itself- the first El Teteo in February 2022 drew in 600 people, with the most recent one, despite a rare LA rainstorm, boasting over 900 attendees, including Hollywood executives.
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“I’m tryna bring a little bit of New York out here to Los Angeles, like the Dominican Dembow. I’ve realized that out here is either Hip-Hop Night, Reggaetón Night, or Salsa Night. And I’m so used to going to parties in New York City where there are all of those things in one night. So it’s bringing a little bit of home here,” Medina explained.
Sasha Merci Medina is not just a comedian and actress; she’s a cultural ambassador bringing her heritage into the Hollywood industry.
Watch the full interview on the LATV+ App to see more laughter, resilience, and the spirit of the Bronx mixed with all the glitz and glamor!
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