Marcello Hernández Reflects on His Former 'Sales Job' After SNL Promotion (Exclusive)

Marcello Hernández's life has changed in almost countless ways since he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 2022.

The 27-year-old comedian “used to sell tickets to his stand-up sets on the street,” he tells PEOPLE, and now he calls stars and cultural icons like Pedro Pascal and Bad Bunny his friends.

“I used to have a job as a headset salesman and did comedy gigs in very small venues and for very small people,” he says. “All of this is really just a blessing. And that’s not lost on me.”

Hernández is from Miami and has Cuban and Dominican roots. The opportunities presented to Hernández sometimes seem particularly painful.

“It's all really overwhelming,” he says of the opportunity to highlight his family's experiences on such historic stages. “It means a lot to me. I wish my grandmother could see some of this.”

There is perhaps no better example of how tricky life gets than the “Protective Mom” ​​sketch Hernández and Pedro Pascal did SNL last year, which they then revisited in October 2023 when Bad Bunny hosted the show.

“This sketch changed my life in many ways and how it was received on social media. It’s definitely like a before and after.” [photo]”, he says.

“It was also really cool to meet Benito, to be close to someone who is on his level,” Hernández continues of the 30-year-old Puerto Rican singer. “I think connecting with them and bringing back a sketch was a really big moment.”

Hernández makes important parts of his Latino heritage visible on a weekly basis SNLand this Hispanic Heritage Month, he has teamed up with Buchanan's Scotch Whiskey to launch the #ComoLoDigas campaign to celebrate his own identity as a 200%er – and the brand's 200%er customer base.

“There are a lot of 200 percent people out there,” Hernández says, including himself. “I’m 100% American, but also 100% Latino, and I like to represent.”

As a big whiskey fan in general, the partnership is a perfect fit. “I remember seeing it [Buchanan’s] Growing up, I went to parties a lot. I think I just highlight people like me who are Americans and also feel very connected to their family and their partner [Latino] Roots are important.”

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This Hispanic Heritage Month, Buchanan's Scotch Whiskey is collaborating with SNL Cast member and 200%er Marcello Hernandez is launching the #ComoLoDigas campaign to celebrate and showcase the many ways our 200% fans pronounce (and enjoy) Buchanans and to show that what Latinos say in the language can distinguish them, unites them in the community.

Saturday Night Live airs Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC.