Photography by Dirk Kikstra

Michelle Buteau

ACTOR AND COMEDIAN

WHAT IS YOUR CALLING CARD?

The calling cards change, but they’re always in the same vein: sassy, sexy, and out there. Embracing words like bitch, oddy body, Black, Brown, queer, fat, these are a few of my favorite things! My trademark is sassy-ass inclusivity, okay?

WHAT’S COMING UP FOR YOU IN 2024?

Bitch, how much time do you have? I’m working on season two of Survival of the Thickest; my second one-hour comedy special, filming at Radio City Music Hall (I’ll be the first woman to tape a special there); another season of The Circle; another season of Barbecue Showdown on Netflix; and a movie with Ilana Glazer directed by Pamela Adlon, called Babes. That, and my twins are starting kindergarten.

““Special moments in comedy happen because someone is sensitive in all the right ways. Punching up is hilarious. Punching down is too easy and is ignorant.””

WHAT’S SOMETHING PEOPLE GET WRONG ABOUT YOU?

People think I’m not sensitive or open to all types of criticism because, “You’re in comedy, come on.” But honestly, I think special moments in comedy happen because someone is sensitive in all the right ways. Punching up is hilarious. Punching down is too easy and is ignorant.

WHO DO YOU CALL THE MOST?

My first call is always my husband. If he isn’t the first to know something, did it even happen?

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