About Celisa “CJ” Franco:

Celisa “CJ” Franco is a multi-talented model, actress, comedian, and endearingly blunt television personality who entertains a fast-growing fan base of more than half a million followers. Her razor sharp sense of humor and influential signature style made bold splashes across the covers of leading national publications such as Swagger and Lifestyle, with coveted features in Vogue, Sports Illustrated, and GQ. As a trusted source for “what’s next” in pop culture, she has partnered with global brands like Guess, Tinder, and Starburst.

Franco’s early modeling career launched an unstoppable force of dynamic potential, recognized in her selection for the invitation-only model camp spearheaded by legendary supermodel Coco Rocha in New York City. The powerful imagery and content developed during her tenure became the foundation of her now extensive work portfolio. It also sparked a celebrated social media presence that gives voice to Franco’s central values, including her commitment to the vegan lifestyle, animal protection, and advancing the status of the LGBTQ+ community. 

The infamous Hollywood Comedy Store gave Franco her big shot at comedy when she performed as part of the venue’s “Pretty Funny Women” show in 2018. Drawing on an extraordinary breadth of life experience, including being raised by a gay father and straight mother, her innovative material and masterful delivery scored millions of online views. She has since commanded the stage and delighted packed houses alongside national headliners in Los Angeles, New York City, and Miami. She also participated in the “Models of Comedy” red carpet gala, sharing the spotlight with top model-comedians Eugenia Kuzmina, Charlotte McKinney, and Jiaoying Summers.

In 2021, Franco officially became a household name when she was cast as the first pilot season member of HBO Max’s FBoy Island. The brazen beauty literally stole the show, bringing healing humor and comedic relief to a global audience during a worldwide pandemic. Bolstered by her winning personality, the series soon expanded into syndication as part of the BBC and CW Networks, with spinoffs in six countries. More recently, Franco surprised fans with a cameo appearance on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. She also shines among the reality star-studded cast of The GOAT, which premiered May 9th of 2024 on Amazon Freevee. 

Honing her craft under the guidance of legendary acting coach Howard Fine, among others, Franco continues to build an impressive, ever-expanding portfolio of feature film and television projects. She even trained with the industry-leading pro’s who shaped the tactical expertise of Will Smith and Keanu Reeves. In her rare moments of free time, her cheeky list of hobbies includes casual photo shoots with pint-sized pups Milo and Mango, fight choreography, and full bottle wine tasting. 

Learn more at cjfranco.com. Follow @cjfranco on Instagram.  

“I grew so attached to CJ [in HBO Max’s Fboy Island].” - Time

“She stole [FBoy Island’s] first season with wit, sharp comebacks to douchey men, and above all, blunt honesty.” - Vulture

“It’s Franco’s killer combo of irreverent wit, undeniable beauty, and entrepreneurial spirit… that’s helped her continue to crush life.” - Maxim