Miami native, former model, now focused on career as  actor, comedian

“I look forward to connecting with you so long as you are not allergic to the truth, have sissy like tendencies, and need your doses of reality with a chaser.”
These are the written words of Aida Rodriguez featured on her website, aidarodriguezlive.com.

The comedian will bring her sense of humor to the University Center’s Down Under stage at 8 p.m. Thursday.

Rodriguez has always had a passion for performing in front of others, though it wasn’t comedy routines she has always been on stage for.

Instead, the Miami native was on stage as a model.

Though she enjoyed modeling, Rodriguez didn’t like the lifestyle and dreaded trying to fit a certain stereotype.

The pressures to conform to the perfect body lead Rodriguez to anorexia.

It was then during her struggles with the eating disorder that Rodriguez turned toward comedy and away from modeling.

Rodriguez leaned on jokes and laughter to will her through this tough time in her life.

Although comedy was a now a relief for her, she faced obstacles along the way in becoming who she is today.

For one, Rodriguez’s culture discourages a career as a comedian. Being a comedian was not viewed as a feminine career to Rodriguez’s Carribean mother, who strongly disapproved of her daughter’s focus.

As a result, Rodriguez drifted away from comedy and began acting.

She described herself as being “a total theater kid” during her teenage years, so the transition was not difficult.

Nonetheless, her dedication for acting carried into her adult life and she has been in several movies, including, “The Greatest Song,” “Bailando,” and “Black Woman’s Guide to Finding a Good Man.”

Rodriguez has also appeared on the HBO television series, “Entourage,” and has been featured on BET.

While Rodriguez continues her acting career, she finally fulfilled her dream of becoming a professional comedian five years ago.

Unlike the silent role of modeling and the scripted lines in acting, comedy was the perfect fit because it gave Rodriguez the opportunity to present her personal story.
Rodriguez finds inspiration for her routines through her personal experiences, and from comedians like Ellen DeGeneres.

“As a comedian, [DeGeneres] always stays true to herself,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said her main goal is to get her audience to not only laugh, but to also take away the need to think about their own lives and goals.

Rodriguez also said she likes to go out of the box with her comedy.

“[I] touch subjects that other comedians are afraid to,” Rodriguez said.