A sold-out crowd of students and faculty alike burst into applause as Cuban Dominican comedian Marcello Hernández took the Student Pavilion stage dancing to Sabrina Carpenter's song "Espresso" on Monday.
"I just got back from being Domingooo," Hernández said as he introduced himself to the crowd, referencing his recent appearance as his character "Domingo" during a Sabrina Carpenter concert.
Hernández, best known for being a cast member on Saturday Night Live and his recent viral Domingo skit, was part of a set of events by the Programming and Activities Board celebrating Homecoming week at the University.
Hernández delivered a performance that not only left the audience in fits of laughter but also inspired a new wave of young creatives to pursue their passions.
Opening the show with jabs at his recent travels, the highlight of the evening wasn't just the laughs — it was the connection Hernández made with the audience. Between jokes, he spoke openly about his journey growing up with immigrant parents and his relationship with his mental health.
"I think he is funny and he is not afraid of being himself and to say what he thinks," said Gabriel Toneser Facchin, a freshman studying engineering.
Hernández resonates with younger audiences as he has found a way to turn his Latino identity — as the sixth Latine cast member in SNL history — into a fresh comedic perspective.
For many students in the audience, Hernández's story was inspirational, as he started his career earlier on.
"He started really young, so that's pretty cool, because we are in college right now and we can inspire ourselves (with) him," Facchin said. "We can start at a young age and get better like him too."
As a comedian who often celebrates and shares his cultural identity, Hernández also connected with the University's diverse student body, as he is known for his content centered around growing up in a Hispanic household.
"I just feel a little bit represented because I'm also from Florida and Hispanic too, so I relate to a lot of his jokes, and I’m just happy to see someone like that in SNL," said Naylanie Alomar, a sophomore studying technological leadership.
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On and off stage, Hernández has become a role model for young creatives. Molly Corbin, a freshman studying art, is an aspiring actress who follows Hernández's career and is a longtime fan of SNL. Corbin even attributes Hernández's career as one of her main inspirations.
"I really wanted to start doing things because he's so inspiring to us as a young creator," Corbin said. "Seeing him go on stage and do comedy shows and then be on SNL is so crazy to me, like, 'Okay, that's a sign to not give up and try as hard as you can.'"
At 27, Hernández is a core member of SNL's cast. His rise in the entertainment industry showcases the growing demand for representation in media. For many young creatives from underrepresented backgrounds, his achievements are a reminder that their voice has a place in the arts.
"He's really inspiring because he came from such a small community and he's very passionate and really humble about his small community," Corbin said. "I just think it's so cute that he brings his small town community into such a large (community). SNL is so huge that it's so nice to have a humble comedian."
Hernández has broken through to Gen-Z audiences, inspiring the next set of young writers, actors and even robotics engineers. He's defining an entertainment industry that looks more and more like a diverse college campus as Hernández continues to set a new standard for inclusive comedy.
Students lead Hernández offstage with a cheering ovation, as he did come all this way. Having to explain. Direct from Domingo.
Edited by Andrew Dirst, Sophia Braccio and Tiya Talwar.
Reach the reporter at thutche1@asu.edu.
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