If you’ve ever watched a comedy special by Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, you know she doesn't hold back about her personal life. She’s built an entire career on being relatable, from her legendary "Nail Salon" bit to her riffs on being a Raiderette. But for a long time, there was one constant character in her stories who stayed somewhat in the shadows for casual fans: her husband.
So, who is anjelah johnson comedian husband?
His name is Manwell Reyes. And honestly, calling him just "the husband" is a bit of an undersell. He’s a musician, a songwriter, a podcaster, and—as it turns out—the primary reason Anjelah’s last name now has a hyphen. They’ve been married since 2011, which in Hollywood years is basically a century.
But their story isn't just some glossy "celebrity couple" montage. It’s actually kinda messy, surprisingly grounded, and involved a massive 180-degree turn regarding whether or not they wanted to be parents.
Who Exactly Is Manwell Reyes?
Manny (as Anjelah calls him) wasn't some random guy she met at a Hollywood party. When they linked up, he was already a big deal in a completely different world: Christian hip-hop.
He was the frontman for a group called Group 1 Crew. If you grew up in that scene or listened to Christian radio in the mid-2000s, you definitely heard them. They weren't just "good for a church band"—they were winning Dove Awards (five of them, actually) and topping Billboard charts. Manny was born in Germany, moved to the States at age ten, and spent his youth bouncing between Texas, Florida, and Kansas.
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He’s got that high-energy, creative-type personality that either perfectly complements a comedian or drives them crazy. In their case, it seems to be the former.
Eventually, he left the group in 2017 to do his own thing. He started a duo called PANDA$, launched a solo career, and dove headfirst into podcasting. He and Anjelah even started their own YouTube series/podcast called Manjelah, where they basically air out their dirty laundry for our entertainment. It’s refreshing. They talk about the stuff most couples hide, like the "ugly" parts of marriage and how they handle money.
The Meet-Cute (Or Lack Thereof)
The way they met sounds like the plot of a rom-com that starts with a misunderstanding. They were at a mutual friend’s wedding in 2009.
Anjelah’s version? She thought he was cute but was trying to play it cool.
Manny’s version? He thought she was being cold and stuck-up.
Basically, he didn't even know who she was. At the time, Manny was busy producing a girl group, and those girls were constantly quoting Anjelah’s "Bon Qui Qui" and "Nail Salon" sketches. He thought they were hilarious but had no idea they were quoting the woman sitting across from him.
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Once his best friend’s wife played matchmaker and convinced him to actually watch her comedy special, he was hooked. His logic was simple: "If she isn't funny, I can't be with her." Luckily for both of them, she was hilarious. They got engaged in 2010 and tied the knot on June 11, 2011, in Half Moon Bay, California.
The Big "No Kids" U-Turn
For over a decade, anjelah johnson comedian husband and the comedian herself were the poster couple for the "child-free by choice" movement.
Anjelah was famous for her stand-up bit titled "Don't Have Kids, Don't Want Kids." She was blunt about it. She loved her dog, Banzo. She loved her career. She felt like children were a "consolation prize" for people who didn't hit their career goals. It was a polarizing stance, but she owned it. Manny was right there with her. They were a team of two, traveling the world and focusing on their own ambitions.
Then, 2023 happened.
In a move that shocked fans who had listened to her "no kids" rants for years, they announced they were expecting. Anjelah later opened up about how hitting her 40s changed her perspective. She started feeling like the career success she’d chased was feeling a little... empty? She went through the grueling process of egg freezing and IVF, eventually conceiving naturally at 41.
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Their daughter, Maliya, was born in June 2023. Seeing Manny transition from "touring musician" to "girl dad" has been a major pivot for their brand, but they’ve kept it real. They haven't turned into a "perfect" parenting blog; they’re still the same couple that bickers about house chores, just with more diapers involved.
Why Their Relationship Actually Works
You’d think two high-profile performers in one house would be a recipe for a massive ego clash.
Manny has talked openly on The Spicy Life podcast about how he had to learn to be a "fan" of his wife's success. It’s not always easy being the guy standing to the side while everyone wants a picture with your wife. But he’s lean-in on the "cheerleader" role.
- Financial transparency: They’ve admitted they weren't always on the same page with money but made it a point to fix it.
- Marriage retreats: They actually go to these. Like, for real. They aren't afraid to admit they need professional help to keep the spark alive.
- Shared faith: Both are outspoken about their Christian faith, which seems to be the "glue" that keeps them grounded when the industry gets weird.
Making It Work Long-Term
If you're looking for lessons from Anjelah and Manny's marriage, it’s probably about the power of the "pivot." They changed their minds about where they lived (moving from LA to Nashville), they changed their minds about having kids, and they changed their minds about how much of their private life they wanted to share.
They’ve shown that you don't have to be the person you were ten years ago to have a successful marriage today.
Your Next Steps
If you’re interested in seeing their dynamic for yourself, check out their Manjelah series on YouTube. It’s the best way to see the real-time chemistry between Anjelah and Manny. You can also follow Manny (Manwell Reyes) on social media for his "Manwell’s Musings," where he gets into the deeper, often philosophical side of life and relationships. If you're a fan of Anjelah's comedy, watching how Manny supports her behind the scenes adds a whole new layer to her jokes.