Join us for the launch of Michelle Buteau’s essay collection Survival of the Thickest in conversation with Nicole Byer!
From the stand-up comedian, actress, and host beloved for her cheeky swagger, unique voice, and unapologetic frankness comes a book of comedic essays for fans of Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me by Mindy Kaling and We’re Going to Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union.
If you’ve watched television or movies in the past year, you’ve seen Michelle Buteau. With scene-stealing roles in Always Be My Maybe, First Wives Club, Someone Great, Russian Doll, and Tales of the City; a reality TV show and breakthrough stand-up specials, including her headlining show Welcome to Buteaupia on Netflix, and two podcasts (Late Night Whenever and Adulting), Michelle’s star is on the rise. You’d be forgiven for thinking the road to success—or adulthood or financial stability or self-acceptance or marriage or motherhood—has been easy; but you’d be wrong.
Now, in Survival of the Thickest, Michelle reflects on growing up Caribbean, Catholic, and thick in New Jersey, going to college in Miami (where everyone smells like pineapple), her many friendship and dating disasters, working as a newsroom editor during 9/11, getting started in standup opening for male strippers, marrying into her husband’s Dutch family, IVF and surrogacy, motherhood, chosen family, and what it feels like to have a full heart, tight jeans, and stardom finally in her grasp.
About the Author:
Born in New Jersey to Caribbean parents, actress/comedian Michelle Buteau brings her unique perspective and big personality to stage and screen. Michelle has had stand-up specials on Netflix and Comedy Central, as well as an album called "Shut Up!", which was released on Comedy Central Records. She was also a featured comedian on the "2 Dope Queens" special for HBO. Last year, she shot the Netflix feature "Always Be My Maybe" with Ali Wong and Randall Park, a recurring role on "Tales of the City" for Netflix, and a leading role in the TV remake of "First Wives Club" for BET. Her other TV credits include "The Tick" on Amazon, "Broad City" and "Key & Peele" on Comedy Central, and "Enlisted" on FOX. In the podcast space, she produced and hosted the talk show "Late Night Whenever" for WNYC. She and Jordan Carlos’s popular live show "Adulting" will be a podcast for WNYC this year.
About the Moderator:
NICOLE BYER is one of the most versatile voices in the comedy landscape today. An actress, comedian, writer, author and podcaster, she is perhaps most well-known as the host of Netflix’s hit reality competition baking series Nailed It!, which has gained a cult following of viewers since its premiere on the streaming platform in 2018. The show has received multiple Emmy nominations and, in 2020, Nicole made history by becoming the first black woman ever to be nominated in the category of “Outstanding Host for A Reality or Competition Program.”
Listeners can hear Nicole on five different podcasts, the fan-favorite being her popular weekly podcast Why Won’t You Date Me?, which sees her inviting friends and guests to discuss their dating lives all while trying to figure out her own. Her book, #VERYFAT #VERYBRAVE: The Fat Girl’s Guide to Being #Brave and Not a Dejected, Melancholy, Down-in-the-Dumps Weeping Fat Girl in a Bikini, was published by Andrews McMeel in June 2020. In it, she shares her impressive bikini collection, tips on learning how to embrace your body and her overall journey to becoming a #brave badass.
Nicole is an Upright Citizens Brigade alum who continues to cement her status as a force in standup by regularly performing in cities across the country. Her additional film and television work includes Loosely Exactly Nicole, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, Lady Dynamite, Party Over Here, BoJack Horseman, and 30 Rock. Nicole currently resides in Los Angeles, where she is shooting the upcoming reboot of the television game show Wipeout! with co-host John Cena for TBS.
This is a ticketed event! The cost of the ticket includes a copy of the book. Please purchase your tickets through EventBrite here, The first 200 attendees to purchase their ticket through EventBrite will receive a SIGNED copy of Michelle's book!!