Check out our interview with stunning, talented, comical influencer and self-proclaimed “redheaded Latina” Ana Saia, who is joining the “no sabo” generation to reclaim the term and inspire her over 3M TikTok and Instagram followers with comical and accurate portrayals of Mexican American heritage. Embracing her insecurities and diving into the acting and singing space, this influencer is aiming to take the media by storm.
A so-called “no sabo” kid is a child who comes from a Latin or Hispanic family and speaks little to no Spanish. Because of this, they can sometimes be treated as outsiders to the culture.
Follow Ana on IG @anaa.saiaa & TikTok @saianana
Hi Ana, please tell us a little about yourself.
A little bit about me. I’m a 22-year-old Mexican-American from Las Vegas. I grew up very close to my mom’s side of the family and cousins, who are more like the brothers I’ve never had. I graduated from UNLV a year ago in journalism and media studies and I was going to pursue a career as a producer but then found a different career online on social media. Now I’m hoping to grow as an artist and content creator, as shown in my newfound vlogs I post on Youtube.
Describe yourself in three words.
Ambitious, empathetic, and independent.
What is the best and worst part of being a popular comedian and influencer?
The best part is being able to make people’s days with a shared laugh or relatable moment. I love being able to connect with so many people, even if it’s only for 30 seconds. The worst part is comparing myself to other creators and it makes me second-guess my own content sometimes, as if what I’m doing isn’t enough. This is why I try to connect and become virtual friends with other creators but it’s a lot harder to do online and I don’t live in LA so it’s harder to go to events to connect with others as well.
Where do your talents come from and how do you get inspired for new content?
I like to think my talent comes from my parents. They both are very creative and passionate about many things and they encourage me to be the same in everything that I do.
My inspiration for new content either comes from experiences I’ve had or old movies/shows I would watch as a child.
What’s your advice for the up-and-coming influencers?
My advice is to just be your most authentic self. Everyone in this world is unique and has a story or passion that drives people to create and share online. The more authentic and real you are with yourself and on social media, the better your chances will be when you start building your online community.
What would you say are the greatest lessons you have learned so far in this business?
I’ve learned that there is just as much power in saying no as there is in saying yes to new opportunities. Many people will take advantage of you and learning when to say no is going to be more important than saying yes. There is patience that comes with saying no but more often than not, the reward afterward is well worth it.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career, and how has your comedy evolved over time in response to these challenges?
Some of the greatest challenges I’ve faced have been mental, such as overworking myself, being creatively drained, or trying to stay out of controversies. I’ve learned that I have to forgive myself and understand that I deserve to have some days off in order to come back to a project stronger than before. My comedy has become more dynamic, I think. I try setting real situations or thoughts that I have about growing up Hispanic or being a “no sabo kid” because those are what I and my audience relate to the most.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
The most rewarding part of my work is knowing that I’m helping people embrace who they are, such as their Hispanic background or wanting to learn Spanish, etc. The ones I’ve been so thankful to meet in real life prove that I’m doing something right if they feel so seen through some of the videos I make and will continue to make.
Can you walk us through your creative process? How do you come up with new material and ideas for your comedy?
My creative process is actually very sporadic. I’ve tried sitting down and coming up with skits or scenarios, but it doesn’t work well in my case. So, I have a list made in my notes app and whenever I’m watching a show or movie or having a conversation with someone, I get that inspiration so suddenly I write it down and save it for later.
Who are your comedic role models or influences, and how have they shaped your style and approach to comedy?
Growing up I watched a lot of Vine and YouTube, like Jenna Marbles and Lele Pons. They both are unapologetically themselves so when I started my content, I knew I wanted to be fun while still having my own tone and flair for everything I do.
In your view, what is the role of comedy in today’s society, especially in the context of being an influencer on social media platforms?
To me, comedy and a lot of other forms of entertainment are the coffee breaks we all need in order to go back to our real lives. At times, life can be overwhelming and watching a comedy video is all you need to turn your whole day around. It also brings people together because, more often than not, you share those videos with friends and loved ones.
Which project is still on your bucket list?
One project I’d love to complete on my bucket list is creating my own original song in Spanish. The whole reason I pursued learning the language was not only because my mom’s family all speak it, but also because I fell in love with Spanish music, from reggaeton to banda.
As a popular comedian and influencer, you are followed by so many people. How do you feel about the pressure to always do the right thing and encourage people to follow their dreams?
Sometimes I feel like I’m walking on thin ice but I’m also ok with having that pressure on me because there are so many others who don’t feel supported to pursue their dreams. If I am their only voice telling them to follow their dreams, then that’s a responsibility that I’m more than willing to take on.
How do you balance your busy schedule and the influencer part with your personal and family time?
I balance my life around others a lot of the time. My family and friends are on more strict schedules, so I try to do my content creation duties on days where I know I’ll have the time. It’s definitely still a learning process, especially as I continue growing but my family will always come first at the end of the day.
What do you think is the secret to having a successful TikTok/IG account? And can you share some tips for keeping your account interesting?
I think the big secret to having a successful TikTok or Instagram, especially at first, is to show individuality. It’s easy to fall into trends and sometimes that’s helpful to grow your account but at the end of the day, you want to be unique to yourself so you can get to a point where your personal brand is the reason people follow you. Whether it’s makeup, comedy, sports, etc. it’s all about being authentic and somewhat consistent.
I bet you get millions of them, but what are the best and worst Instagram DM pickup lines you have received so far?
A lot of them have something to do with speaking Spanish or an innuendo to my red hair. Most of which I’d rather leave in the DMs because they can be a bit disturbing.
Which place that you have visited do you think changed you in a particular way, maybe for motivation or to see a different reality, etc.?
Most recently, I went back to Mexico City, Mexico, with a brand and group of creators. That’s where my mom’s family is originally from, but I hadn’t been there in over 10 years and from what I remember, it was completely different. I think since that trip, it really taught me how different my mom’s childhood was in comparison to my own. Being a Latina who grew up in the U.S. is its own world versus that of my mom or even my cousins that are from there. And I try to keep this in mind every time I create my content.
What advice would you give to your younger self, and why?
I would tell my younger self to be more forgiving to herself. She didn’t think that she was meant to be where I am today and lacked the confidence to believe she could go for her dreams. Life isn’t a race and sometimes you forget that the best part is the journey to get there.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
If I could meet any person living or dead, it would hands down be Selena Gomez. She was my idol ever since I can remember, and she carries a grace that many celebrities don’t have. We would probably have an amazing conversation about the importance of pickles with any snack.
What is your own definition of happiness?
My definition of happiness is doing things for yourself or others that make each day worth living.
Do you support any charities?
I support the arthritis foundation whenever I’m able. I helped make a video about juvenile arthritis for JA Day because I was diagnosed with it at 17 and I also have many family members that suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years?
5 years from now, I hope to be making music and sharing more of my life in longer vlogs or podcasts with my mom and other well-known people.
What do you think of social media?
I think social media is almost a necessity nowadays. It’s the fastest way to connect and generate conversations with people from all over the world, whether it’s good or bad. There definitely needs to be more research done and classes taught about how to be safe and respectful online because too many people hide behind screens and say the most unnecessary, hurtful things that can really be harmful to someone’s well-being.
Where can we follow you?
You can follow me on TikTok and YouTube at @saianana and on Instagram @anaa.saiaa
