Franco Escamilla is a popular Mexican stand-up comedian who rose to fame in the early 2010s. He was known for his observational comedy style and storytelling abilities. Escamilla gained a large following on social media and through YouTube videos of his stand-up routines. However, in recent years he has withdrawn from the public eye, leading many to wonder – what happened to Franco Escamilla?
Franco Escamilla’s Early Success
Franco Escamilla was born in Nuevo León, Mexico in 1979. He began performing stand-up comedy in his early 20s, doing shows in bars and clubs around Monterrey. In 2008, he competed on a reality TV show called “Hazme Reír” (Make Me Laugh) which helped launch his comedy career nationally.
Escamilla released his first comedy special “Por la Anécdota” in 2009. He then gained major popularity when he started posting videos of his stand-up sets to YouTube in 2010. His casual storytelling style resonated with fans and his YouTube subscriber count grew exponentially. By 2014, Escamilla had over 1 million YouTube subscribers and sold-out arena tours across Mexico.
Peak Popularity and Netflix Specials
The peak of Escamilla’s fame was from 2014-2018. He released several successful stand-up specials during this period:
- “Loco” (2014)
- “Paco el Chato” (2015)
- “Payaso” (2016)
- “Amadrinado” (2017)
His special “Paco el Chato” in particular was a massive hit, earning over 90 million views on YouTube. Escamilla’s fame and success continued to grow during this time. He performed sold-out tours across Mexico, Latin America, and the United States.
In 2017, Escamilla made his Netflix debut with the special “Amadrinado.” This introduced him to an even wider global audience on the streaming platform. His subsequent special “Autorretrato” was released on Netflix in 2018.
Year | Stand-Up Special |
---|---|
2014 | Loco |
2015 | Paco el Chato |
2016 | Payaso |
2017 | Amadrinado (Netflix) |
2018 | Autorretrato (Netflix) |
Hiatus from Comedy
After 2018, Franco Escamilla suddenly stopped regularly posting videos and seemed to retreat from public life. He gave no official announcements but simply stopped releasing major comedy content. This led to rumors and speculation among fans over what prompted his abrupt hiatus.
Some theorized that Escamilla decided to take a break after achieving so much early success. The demands of constant touring and producing specials may have overwhelmed him. Others wondered if some personal scandal or controversy had occurred behind the scenes forcing him to lay low.
In 2020, Escamilla posted on social media for the first time in two years. He revealed that he had struggled with depression and anxiety issues which caused him to step away from comedy. Escamilla needed time to focus on his mental health and recover out of the spotlight.
Theories on His Hiatus
- Burnout from early success and constant touring
- Needed break from the public eye
- Potential undisclosed scandal
- Struggles with depression and anxiety
Career Status Now
As of late 2022 and early 2023, Franco Escamilla has slowly started to return to comedy. He continues to keep a relatively low profile but has been performing some limited shows in Mexico.
In April 2022, Escamilla released a new stand-up special exclusively on his YouTube channel called “Vuélvete a enamorar”. It marked his first major comedy content in over 4 years. The special generated buzz among his loyal fans who were excited to have him back.
Escamilla also announced a new tour called “La diablo tour” which kicked off in Mexico in October 2022. Additional tour dates across the US and Latin America are scheduled for 2023. While he has been selective about his engagements, this signals that Escamilla is ready to return to stand-up on his own terms.
It appears the extended break was what Franco Escamilla needed both professionally and for his mental health. Fans are hopeful his comedy career is now poised for a strong second act with his hiatus firmly behind him.
Recent Developments
- Released “Vuélvete a enamorar” special in 2022
- Began “La Diablo” tour in Mexico in late 2022
- Limited number of shows and engagements
- Seems to be rediscovering passion for stand-up comedy
Conclusion
In summary, Franco Escamilla experienced a meteoric comedy career in Mexico starting in the 2010s. His observational routines and storytelling style earned him massive popularity. However, the constant pressures led to burnout. Escamilla retreated from comedy and public life for an extended hiatus from 2018 to 2022.
Escamilla has now slowly begun his comeback after focusing on his mental health. He appears reinvigorated and ready to reconnect with fans through calculated live shows and specials. While he maintains a lower profile, Franco Escamilla 2.0 seems poised for a successful return on his own terms. His hiatus helped refuel the passion that drove his initial rise to fame.