Michelle Buteau, the comedian, actress, and author, has become an inspirational figure. She has challenged conventional beauty standards and embraced body positivity. Her journey is marked by defying societal expectations and carving out a successful career on her own terms.
Early Life and Influences
Michelle Buteau grew up in New Jersey, the only child of a Haitian father and a Jamaican mother. Raised in a strict Catholic family, she faced high expectations. The mantra in her house was: "Don’t eff up, get your education, don’t embarrass us." These rules, however, didn't create discomfort but grounded her in her own beauty and power. "Nothing ever fit," she says, adding, "I knew it wasn’t my fault, and I knew deep down inside I was beautiful."
Buteau's upbringing instilled a sense of self-assurance that would later help her navigate the challenges of the entertainment industry. Her Caribbean heritage, with its emphasis on family, parties, and dancing, also shaped her outlook on life.
Confronting Body Image Issues
From a young age, Buteau faced criticism about her weight. She recalls shopping in the "ladies" section at Macy's instead of the "junior" section. When she moved to Miami to study television production at Florida International University, one of her professors told her in front of the entire class that she was simply too fat to be on television. "I was embarrassed," Buteau says. “But I was also like, He’s doing me a favor ’cause I don’t see anyone like me on TV.”
Despite these experiences, Buteau remained resilient. She took a job behind the scenes as an editor at Fox local news. Her newsroom colleagues were the first to comment on her natural comedic flair.
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The Comedy Career
Buteau's decision to pursue comedy was partly influenced by her observation that many comedians seemed unhappy. "I would go to shows, and everybody was, like, so unhappy," she said. "And I was like, maybe this is not for me. Maybe I'm too happy for this."
However, she realized that comedy could be a source of inspiration and joy. She wanted to create a space where people could feel like they were also living life. Buteau's comedic style is characterized by its joyful and relatable nature. She embraces her body and celebrates her experiences as a woman, wife, and mother.
A Buteau-ful Mind
In her new Netflix comedy special, "A Buteau-ful Mind at Radio City Music Hall," Buteau shares her unique perspective on life, love, and body image. She is the first woman to record a comedy special at Radio City Music Hall. She is proud of this achievement, but also acknowledges that it should have happened sooner.
Buteau's decision to do one show and tape it like a live show reflects her confidence and willingness to take risks. She believes that people are often more ready than they think they are. She encourages others to take chances on themselves and create their own platforms.
The Wedding Revelation
The turning point in Buteau's journey toward body positivity came during her wedding. Pressured by friends to diet and exercise, she lost a lot of weight but felt miserable. "This doesn't feel good, and I miss turkey bacon," she realized. Her dress was too big and kept falling off during her father-daughter dance. After blacking out from tequila and a potato, she questioned her choices. "I already found a man that's gonna love me no matter what. What am I doing?" From that moment on, she decided to stop listening to others and embrace her body as it was.
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Marital life
Buteau met her husband out of a one-night stand. Despite the initial uncertainty, she followed her instinct and pursued the relationship. "I don't really know you," she recalls thinking. "He was in Amsterdam. I was in New York. We had no money. We would get miles or, like, GoFundMes and try to see each other, and I was like, 'I think I want my face to be in your face for a very long time,' and that's all I knew."
Buteau acknowledges that marriage is a risk. She admits to sometimes waiting for the other shoe to drop. After 16 years, she expresses disbelief and gratitude that they are still together. The couple has twins. They conceived through IVF after five years of trying and experiencing losses.
"Survival of the Thickest"
Buteau's TV show, "Survival of the Thickest," is based on her book of essays. The show follows Mavis Beaumont, a plus-size stylist rebuilding her life after her boyfriend cheats on her. "Survival of the Thickest" promotes self-acceptance and challenges the notion that only thin people are worthy of love and sex. Mavis Beaumont doesn't jump through hoops trying new weight-loss tactics, nor is she a charity case.
Buteau has also starred in rom-coms like "Always Be My Maybe" and "Marry Me," and launched a podcast called "Adulting."
The Fun House
Buteau prides herself on creating a fun and welcoming home environment. Growing up in a Caribbean household with lots of parties and families and dancing, she loves to host gatherings. She and her husband make it a point to have people over once a month, often hosting 40 to 80 guests. They also prioritize having dinner together as a family every night. Even if it's only for seven or 30 minutes, they make it a priority.
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Advice and Reflections
Buteau's journey has taught her the importance of self-love, resilience, and authenticity. She encourages others to embrace their bodies. She said that people who tell you to lose weight are never a doctor and never look happy. She also urges aspiring comedians to pursue their passion for the right reasons. "You should not be doing this for money," she advises. "You do it because you love it, and there's something that, like, drives you to that stage and that microphone every time."
Buteau views her anxiety and dyslexia as superpowers. She can make any script her own. Everyone says she is so natural and off the cuff.