The first eight years of my life, we lived in an abandoned diner - we were basically squatters.

My stand-up has a lot of performance in it, and I loved doing it so much that, after years, I put the idea of having a show on the back burner.

I understand a lot of celebrities lose weight because they have the opportunity to get in shape and become healthier, but when you get so polished, you can't tell the story of a blue-collar family anymore.

Because I grew up in McAllen, we would watch Televisa a lot.

It might sound dramatic and a little grandiose, but as a Latina, I would like to be someone that gives a voice to my culture.

I'm not trying to represent the whole Latino community. There are too many different cultures, and Latinos will always say, 'My family doesn't do that.'

My family doesn't understand trying to chase your dreams because they were all about survival.