Accent on Personality and Sincerity

By Raiderdrive-Contributer
By Paul Turse, Ed.D., a.k.a. "Samurai Raider"

May 19, 2002 Interview
Revised (with new photos added) 07 Dec 02

 Anjelah Johnson is a Raiderette and an aspiring actress whose forte is not only cheering but also speaking in many accents.  From British to good ol’ New Jersey, she can give a convincing rendition that will not only give you something to cheer about but will make you well aware of this young lady’s talents.  In fact, she made me feel at home by offering her version of a New “Joisey” accent, one that would have made The Boss fall in love with a Jersey Girl and would have made the Sopranos take note.  And when she turns on the charm, if you think she is just acting, fuggetaboudit.  When it comes to personality and sincerity, she is very real.   

Her appealing nature is what led to her coming to the Raiderette tryouts.  She had friends on the squad, who, recognizing her charm and talents, encouraged her to audition.  “I said, ah, may-be, may-be.  And then, I started thinking about it, and I love dancing, and I love performing.  And I know that’s what I was born to do—be an entertainer.  So, I said, ah, I might as well try.”  And try out she did.  Anjelah made the squad on her first attempt.

At age 8, she was a Pop Warner cheerleader, an activity she continued with right up until today.  In addition, throughout her early years, she participated in many athletic activities, including soccer, softball, and track.  When it comes to physical training, she does hit the gym occasionally, but her main form of exercise is dancing.  She goes to as many dance clubs as possible to practice all forms of dancing—from hip hop to break dancing.  “That’s where my workout comes from,” she explained.

Anjelah is a full-time student majoring in speech communications, and she works at various part-time jobs to pay for her tuition and other expenses.  However, whatever free time she has, she spends it working on her dancing.  “I love performing,” said Anjelah.  “I love being in front of a crowd.” 

Angela explained that her love of performing is perhaps one reason why she is studying speech communications:  “And my first speech class that I took… it was me, and it just felt right being in front of people speaking…I didn’t have any problems with it whatsoever.  So, and in a way, it’s kind of like performing, up in front of all those people.” 

Anjelah comes from a large family that will use any excuse to have a gathering.  It was at these get-togethers that that she found her first fans and her first support group.  Anjelah explains how, as a little girl, she had already found her calling:

  “And at all these family gatherings, I would come out in front of everybody and say, ‘OK, we’re gonna have a show, and I ‘d do like three little dance moves that I would make up, or I’d try to sing a song or something….  So that’s just how it was all the time:  ‘OK, we’re gonna do a show now.'  I’ve always been like that.’”

However, there was a time when she wasn’t that extroverted.  “Actually, when I was in kindergarten and in first grade, second grade, I was so shy,” Anjelah admitted.  “I was really, really shy.  And then, all of a sudden, I just sprouted out of nowhere…I don’t know where it came from.”

How does she see being a Raiderette helping her toward her theatrical aspirations?  “Oh, that’s going to help me to prepare to be in front of those crowds at all those games in front of all those people,” she answered, “performing from my heart and not just being fake about it.  And the dedication at rehearsals?  Just like dedication in learning your lines, dedication to rehearsing your lines.”

Anjelah did not start acting until she was a senior in high school, where she once played the part of a chocoholic

addict from London.  “I love accents…accents are my thing,” she enthusiastically explained.  Whenever she gets a chance to travel, she takes that opportunity to pretend she is somebody else and practices one of her dialects.  Anjelah gave a brief scenario:  “Excu-u-se mei, do you knou whea the bawthrooms ah?”  If people ask where she’s from, she responds, “Oim from Liva-pool.”  

Once in a “grand while,” she’s from Wales, she added.  If she is “from” Wales, she has to be really “proppa,” she noted, emphasizing the subtle distinction between the accents by providing an example.  She admitted to having some difficulty with the Welsh accent; however, she shifted to the second accent without hesitation and with complete fluency.

It may not be so easy shifting gears from a Raiderette career to theatre career.  What is her philosophy on life that keeps her going, especially when it comes to keeping her dream of pursuing an acting career in a field that is most difficult to realize?  Her response provides a clue to the source of her motivation:  “Basically, I can do all things through Jesus Christ, whose strength is in me.  I believe that wholeheartedly.  I believe that all this light that’s shining through me that people compliment me on is not me; it is the Holy Spirit shining through me.  So, my thing is leave it to God.”

Did she have any significant experience to bring about this spirituality, or was it always ingrained?  During middle school, she admitted to going through her “rebellion” stage, like every young teen; but by the time she entered high school, she began going to church and renewed her conviction about right and wrong.  “So I got my life straight and started dedicating it to Him.”

How strong is her faith?  A few hours before the 2002 squad was selected, she was asked how she would feel if she did not make the final cut.  She responded that it would still be a positive experience:  “Definitely, this has been a thing to remember….  And I just came in this with a carefree attitude.  Whatever happens, happens.  I make it, then that’s it.  At least, I know I did my best.  If I don’t, I don’t.  And I’ll go to LA as planned.  Either way, I’m blessed.”

Since her main aspiration is to become an actress, Anjelah was, in fact, planning to move to LA this fall.  “And then the Raiderette tryouts came up,” she explained.  “So I said if I make it, then I’ll stay; if I don’t, then I know where I’m going.”

A few hours later, the judges’ verdict was in, and Anjelah would begin her rookie year as a member of the 2002 squad.  What was going on in her head at the time?  “They started calling off numbers, a whole bunch of numbers, and I was at the end [193 out of approx 195].  By that time, I was—oh, no!  After I heard my number, I just wiped out.”

It did not take her too long to realize that she had been selected to an elite sisterhood.  “I can’t believe it.  I’m truly blessed.  I’m shocked, actually, but I am blessed,” she gleefully declared.

So for now, Los Angeles will have to wait at least a year, anyway, to lay claim to our leading lady, for she now belongs to Oakland.  And Hollywood’s loss is The Black Hole’s gain.  Moreover, she is sure to have a major role in the success of the Raiderettes and star in the hearts of her fans.  Moreover, if you ever get out to the West Coast to see a Raiders’ game and you get to meet Anjelah—whether you are from the USA or abroad—ask her to do one of her many accents.  She will not only make you feel at home but she will impress you with her talent.

And despite her long flowing dark hair, expressive brown eyes, and radiant beauty—and despite her talent and her success—she will make you feel that she is just the girl next door, your sister, or just a good buddy.  Because when it comes to being Anjelah Johnson, the real accent is on personality and sincerity.

Raiderdrive.com/Area Chica Sports would like to express our thanks to Anjelah Johnson, for graciously granting this interview, and to Mary Barnes, Al LoCasale, and the Raider organization for their cooperation in making this interview possible. (Visit our Raiderettes Gallery!)