Nicole Byer tends to find humor in the unexpected—and through her recent experience of losing power due to wildfires, she did just that.
“I didn’t even know there were fires until I lost power,” she laughs. In typical Byer fashion, she turned the chaos into a lighthearted adventure, crashing at various friends’ homes in search of air conditioning for three full days. It wasn’t until later that she realized the fires were the culprit.
It’s this same blend of humor and unpredictability that has endeared her to millennial and Gen-Z audiences alike, and it’s exactly what she’ll be bringing to her upcoming stand-up special at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles on Oct. 4
Best known for her Emmy-nominated hosting on “Nailed It!“—a baking show where amateur bakers with mediocre skills aim to redeem themselves and in turn, get to win some cash prizes—Byer’s comedy is an extension of her larger-than-life personality. Her stand-up style is bold, unfiltered, and charmingly offbeat, much like the show that catapulted her into the mainstream.
“I like being a little wackadoo, I like to make jokes about things that make me giggle and I get asked a lot in interviews if I laugh at my own jokes and I’m always like ‘yes, you think I left my house after dark to not giggle and have a nice time?’ that’s psychotic,” she said. “I find humor in the most mundane things that happen in my life. Life is ridiculous, and that’s where the best stories come from.”
But as Byer prepares for her special, it’s clear that this isn’t just another gig. It’s the culmination of years of hard work, taking her from the Upright Citizens Brigade, a renowned improv and sketch comedy theater in Los Angeles known for launching the careers of comedians like Amy Poehler and Aziz Ansari, to the sets of major television shows. Byer admits that balancing multiple projects can be a bit chaotic, whether it’s her voice work on animated shows like “Rugrats” and “Tuca & Bertie” or her four podcasts, or myriad other projects she juggles on the regular.
SEE ALSO: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley became fast friends filming ‘Substance’ — they almost had to
“I love it when there isn’t a breath in the day,” she shares. “I love it when things are back to back. I have ADHD so it works with my brain to be like, ‘Oh, I got to do this, and then this, and then this’. Driving onto a lot never gets old. Being on a sound stage never gets old. Recording podcasts never gets old. Stand-up never gets old. There’s always something fun that’s happening. I love what I do, which sounds so corny, but it’s true.”
Helping her keep things afloat these days is her “lifeline,” a.k.a. her personal assistant Lindsay. Asking for help is a major theme for Byer, who emphasizes the importance of leaning on others. “I used to think I had to do everything on my own,” she reflects, “but now I know the power of surrounding myself with incredible people.”
While her comedy continues to evolve, Byer’s stand-up remains rooted in her own life experiences. Her upcoming special will tackle everything from dating disasters to societal pressures around body image. In particular, Byer touches on the recent Ozempic craze, poking fun at the absurdity of the diet industry.
“It’s so funny, every time I make an Ozempic joke in Los Angeles and ask the crowd who has actually taken it, the room goes dead silent. I’m always like, ‘Really? In Los Angeles? Are you kidding me? You guys are a bunch of liars sitting in the dark; there’s no way!’” she shared with a laugh. “I think with each special or each new hour as a comedian, it’s not about changing your brand, it’s more about evolution.”
The show also reflects her joy in returning to live audiences and being able to do exactly what she wants.
“You know, sometimes being on a set, things don’t go as planned or the scene isn’t working or there might be a delay with the location and it can become frustrating but then on the weekends when I get to do stand up, I just get to do exactly what I want,” she said. “On a set, there isn’t instant gratification, but when you’re on stage, the audience tells you immediately that they like what you are saying. There’s nothing like being on stage. I feel at home, I feel good.”
SEE ALSO: How the film ‘My Old Ass’ takes an unlikely premise to a surprising place
Of course, Byer’s journey to success hasn’t been without its challenges. In 2020, she made history as the first Black woman nominated for an Emmy in the outstanding host for a reality or competition program category. She notes the stigma surrounding body types in food-related media, highlighting that heavier individuals are often sidelined in food commercials.
“Sometimes people ask what it felt like to be nominated, and I don’t think it’s humbling. It felt validating,” she reflects. It was really wild and felt great. I hope it opens doors for hiring fat Black women, queer people, and trans people. The average woman is a size 15 or something, yet we rarely see that kind of representation on television.”
Related Articles
Steve-O talks new face tattoo, the state of comedy and more before Southern California shows
Don’t label Brian Regan, he’s just doing comedy the way he likes
How audiences are finding pop-up Don’t Tell Comedy events
Things to do in the San Fernando Valley, LA area, Aug. 15-22
Column: Are comic strips still a part of your daily life?
As Byer continues to break barriers in comedy, she’s constantly exploring new material and pushing herself creatively. She mentions the delicate balance of creating fresh content for both her podcasts and stand-up sets, ensuring she doesn’t repeat the same stories across platforms. “It’s tricky to remember what I’ve said where,” she admits, “but I love being able to reach different audiences in different ways.”
As her career continues to soar, Byer remains focused on what’s most important—making people laugh and staying grounded with the help of her close-knit circle. Her upcoming special is yet another chapter in a career that shows no signs of slowing down, and for Byer, that’s just the way she likes it.
“I love stand-up,” she says. “It’s where I started, and it’s still where I feel the most free. It’s where I can be my weirdest, fullest self, and that’s where I belong.”