Comedian, actress, author, host, and producer Michelle Buteau stays booked and busy. The New Jersey native is more popular than ever following the launch of her book and adaptation for Netflix “Survival of the Thickest.” Not much of a game player, the hilarious mom of twins joins The Blackest Questions hesitantly but ends the trivia game show on a high.
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Panama Jackson [00:00:00] You are now listening to theGrio’s Black Podcast Network. Black Culture Amplified.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:00:05] Hi, and welcome to The Blackest Questions, which is a trivia game show meant to teach us more about Black history. I’m your host, Doctor Cristina Greer, politics editor at theGrio and associate professor of political science at Fordham University. In this podcast, we ask our guests some of the Blackest questions so we can learn a little bit more about them and have some fun while we’re doing it. We’re also going to learn a lot about Black history past and present. So here’s how this works. We have several rounds of questions about us. Black history, the entire diaspora, current events, you name it. And with each round, the questions get a little tougher and the guest has 10 seconds to answer. If they answer correctly, they’ll receive one symbolic breakfast and hear this. And if they get it wrong, they’ll hear this. We still love them anyway. And after the trivia questions, there will be a Black bonus round just for fun. I like to call it Black Lightning. Our guest for this episode is comedian, actress, TV host, producer, author and podcast host Michelle Buteau. Michelle has been performing standup comedy for more than 20 years.
Michelle Buteau [00:01:07] Thank you. White girls, be snapping. I love woke white people. Yes. This is my town hall. Thank you so much. Yes. Let’s get to the issues at hand.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:01:18] You may also recognize her from her work in TV and film. She was a part of the hit movie Always Be My Baby, and the TV series The First Wives Club. And most recently, she’s been killing in on Netflix, hosting several reality shows, including The Circle and Barbecue Showdown. And last but certainly not least, her memoir, Survival of the Thickest, has turned into an eight part series that was instantly a top pick on Netflix. Oh, it was so good. Hi, Michelle. Thank you so much for joining us in the Blackest Questions. Are you ready to play?
Michelle Buteau [00:01:48] No, I am not ready to play. I don’t play games. I have anxiety. My right jaw, they’re right part of my jaw. I’ve been like clicking it. Like, you have to understand what kind of kid I was. I was like. Like the one time I played basketball in school, I went, like, the wrong direction and got put in the wrong basket. And everyone hated me, you know, like I couldn’t do dodgeball, not with these two, like big old dodge balls on my chest. And so I am not the person you want on your team for trivia and plus of the tired mom in another country in a different time zone, everyday feels like a panic room. Like every conversation is a bad game of celebrity where I’m like, “What’s the name of that?” “But who’s the girl?”.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:02:28] It’s charades. Talking to you is like playing charades.
Michelle Buteau [00:02:30] Yeah, but guess what? I’m just being honest. Okay. Right. But let’s go.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:02:35] Here’s the thing. You represent so many of our listeners who have anxiety about these games, but you combating your fears and you’re going to be brilliant. I know it. I know it. I’ve seen your shows. I read your book. But come out okay. Ready for question one?
Michelle Buteau [00:02:50] Yes. Yes, Dr. Greer.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:02:52] This Grammy winner and Oscar nominated actress, recording artist and producer was the face of CoverGirl in the early 2000. And her collection with them was one of the first times a mainstream cosmetic company created inclusive makeup. Can you name this woman.
Michelle Buteau [00:03:11] How Oscar winner.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:03:13] Oscar nominated actress, Grammy winner, recording artist and producer. Oh, I’ll give you a little hint and a rapper.
Michelle Buteau [00:03:24] I mean, it has to be Queen Latifah.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:03:29] Yes, you’re right.
Michelle Buteau [00:03:29] Like, okay, okay. Oh, my God. I was like, you know that I can you see my butt clenching right now?
Dr. Christina Greer [00:03:38] All of our listeners can.
Michelle Buteau [00:03:38] Also, like, talk about beautiful multi-hyphenate. Like an artist in every true sense of the word family girl. Like Ride or Die just looks like a loyal person. Like she is.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:03:51] Drop dead gorgeous, by the way.
Michelle Buteau [00:03:55] Is it weird that I want to take some of her face and put it on like, bread like that nutella and eat it?
Dr. Christina Greer [00:03:58] She’s like butter. She’s on my Mount Rushmore of, like, amazing Black women, because she’s done all this stuff.
Michelle Buteau [00:04:04] Yeah.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:04:05] I saw her at the opera two months ago.
Michelle Buteau [00:04:08] Yeah.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:04:08] And when she came in, everyone just stopped, and we just all watched her walk to her seat. And I was like your’re flawless.
Michelle Buteau [00:04:13] I thought, you’re like, collaborate and listen. All right, go ahead.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:04:17] I think you’ve been flawless.
Michelle Buteau [00:04:18] Okay. Okay.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:04:20] Boom, boom, boom. Okay. Let me tell my audience a little bit more about Queen Latifah in case they’ve been living under a rock for the past 30 years. I just saw Juice and she was amazing in it. So she first partnered with CoverGirl in 2001, creating the Queen Collection that included shades of makeup for Black and brown women. Many brands then followed, and she’s considered a pioneer in this space, pushing for brands to include cosmetics for darker skin tones. Last year, she announced she was partnering with the brand again and helped them launch their True Blend Liquid Foundation that includes more than 50 different shades. Queen Latifah is beyond impressive. She started out as a rapper and emcee and is the first rapper not just female rapper, but first rapper to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In the early 1990s she broke into acting, landed her iconic role as Khadijah in Living Single. Since then, she’s been a part of more than 120 projects and even had her own talk show. So I know that you guys are both Jersey girls. Queen Latifah is also from Jersey, and she’s really made a space for Black women who don’t typically fit in this Hollywood beauty standard. She’s just been such a pioneer and a trailblazer. Tell our listeners a little bit more about your mission to do the same, because I think your Netflix show is beyond brilliant.
Michelle Buteau [00:05:36] I’m trying to grow my brand. I want to take fashion and trust women to help them love their bodies.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:05:42] And I think that it’s an extension and a continuation of the hard work that Queen Latifah has done for so many years.
Michelle Buteau [00:05:50] I mean, what I do love about Queen Latifah besides her living her truth. When I look at her, I see someone who loves what they do, and that’s the most important. But, you know, she is not. She is not this patriarchal standard of what beauty is even like what society says a Black woman should be, especially in the eighties and nineties. Right? So, you know, to say that she is breaking down barriers is like not only for, you know, the business, but it’s also for us, for us to love ourselves, for our bodies, and that we are worthy of love and flyness. And, you know, we don’t just have to be the big friend in the group that’s like just so can rap or, you know, like, Oh, I got this little like, oh, do that thing that you do. But like, you know, this girl’s going to get all the flowers, like, no, like she’s out here living her truth. And so I just love Queen Latifah so much. And also, it’s like a what can’t she do? You know what I mean?
Dr. Christina Greer [00:07:02] Listen, she make me feel like. I mean, I guess you get up a little bit earlier but first of all, Dana Elaine you named yourself Queen so that we, we I mean, that’s Black folks, that’s everyone, must sort of respect you from jump. Right. And then I think you’re so right because I feel like you’re clicking on the heels and continuing this legacy. It’s like you’re not just a comedian. You are. You’re moving into TV and movie ventures. You’re hosting, you’re writing. You know, I think about the power of Queen Latifah’s talk show host. It wasn’t, you know, on for decades, but the types of guests she had on, you know, I mean, blending not just hip hop culture, but, you know, she’s been in kind of Black movies and white movies, if you will.
Michelle Buteau [00:07:46] Yes.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:07:46] You know, and I think this this trailblazing that she’s had is rewriting the rules and tell our our audience just a little bit more about what motivates you to rewrite the rules of not just Hollywood, but Black womanhood and everything else.
Michelle Buteau [00:08:03] You know. I just every day and it sounds so corny, but every day really is a gift. And so nothing is too small for me to get excited about. And so when I have friends who are like, I don’t know if I should do this, it’s only two lines. I don’t know if I should do this. It’s only like 20 minutes on the part. I’m like, It doesn’t matter how long it is, you know, just do what you do. Put your stank on it, you know, make it memorable, make it viral if you want. Like what? You have the power, so go ahead and do it. And so that really is the place I not only start from, but the place I live because I can’t. I used to drive myself crazy, predicting the future, to try look out for it. Why? I was always upset. I was always pivoting. I was always like just driving myself crazy. But the way I look at my career and my artistry is also like how I am married. Like every day is a real Venza, and the fact that I still want to do it at work on it, that’s all that matters. And so that’s what it is.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:09:13] Right. Staying In the present and moving towards the future. I love it. I’m here with Michelle Buteau, who’s killing it, by the way, on the Blackest Questions. One for one. Are you ready for question number two?
Michelle Buteau [00:09:24] No.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:09:24] Okay, well, we’re doing it because you’re brave and you’re bold. Okay, Question number two. With nearly 30 million downloads, this award winning podcast dedicated to mental wellness, it’s considered one of the most successful podcasts in history, especially for the Black community. What is the name of the podcast?
Michelle Buteau [00:09:47] I don’t know.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:09:50] Okay. The answer is Therapy for Black Girls. It started out as a blog from psychologist Dr. Joey Harden Bradford, and became a podcast six years ago. It now has more than 300 episodes and has listeners in 196 countries. Dr. Joy says her goal is to destigmatize mental illness and encourage self-care in the Black community. In Dr. Joy’s online platform also helps link people to thousands of mental health professionals across the world. So again, it’s called Therapy for Black Girls podcast. And I know you joke about therapy in your standup, but I know you’re also a big supporter of therapy. So what’s your advice to some of our listeners out there who may be listening to this and thinking.
Michelle Buteau [00:10:32] Why didn’t I know that answer?
Dr. Christina Greer [00:10:36] You know, I’m a huge proponent of therapy. I’m a huge proponent of Black people in therapy. So for our listeners, what would you tell them if they’re thinking about therapy? But they just haven’t acted on it just yet?
Michelle Buteau [00:10:48] You know. First of all, 196 countries is amazing because Netflix is in 190 countries. So to be that global is like, bless up. That is, you are really doing Yahweh’s work there. But. You know. If you are uncertain or scared of a situation that is okay, all you have to do is say that, you know. If it doesn’t work out for you, if you don’t vibe with the person, it’s like going out on a date. Like, you know, this isn’t a tattoo. You’re not necessarily going to get it right the first time. For me, it took me a while to find the right therapist, and even then, sometimes I feel like we did what we need to do. I’m going to go and I feel like even learning how to talk to your therapist is something, you know, that we have to figure out as well. I’m such a people pleaser, sometimes I’m going to tell my therapist what she wants to hear. No, no, no, no. I’m doing that thing again. And so, you know, don’t be afraid of holding that ugly mirror up to yourself because it’s only going to make you better. So do that. And I will say, you know, working in a lot of different spaces in the industry, I can tell when someone has been therapized.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:12:13] Talk about it.
Michelle Buteau [00:12:14] You know, and I want to continue working with them because, you know, what I didn’t realize is how much trauma we bring from other jobs to the new job. You know, when we think about trauma, we think about, like relationships, but we’re just existing in the space of bring it with us. We don’t even know. So, like, what I will say is it will only help you. Give you the tools to be the the best self you want to be. I’m not saying this is like take a pill, it happens overnight. You know.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:12:48] I think you use the word that I always use, which is tools that we carry around a toolbox so that when different scenarios come up, we actually know which tool to use to navigate through that scenario. But I also tell people who are curious, I’m like, listen, therapists are like hairdressers. Just because they did a great job with your friend’s hair and her texture doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s for you. And also therapist can be like rabbits feet where it’s like sometimes the luck runs out. So it’s like you have a therapist for a particular moment in time. Maybe you’re going through a divorce or a grieving a death or loss of a job. And that therapist is really good. Like, you know, get yourself together. And then sometimes at a different point in your life, you need a therapist is like, Mm, I’m just listening in, Michelle And, you know, like we need a different therapist for sometimes different waves that we’re in. So for anyone who’s interested, I would say if you’re interested, then just take the leap and act on it. Which leads me to talk about your podcast Adulting, which you co-host with Jordan Carlos and it’s produced by Exactly Right Media. So tell us a little bit more about adulting and why you chose this topic as your focus.
Michelle Buteau [00:13:55] Well, you know, Jordan is a really good friend and we do just a crazy amount of stuff like. You know, run the streets doing stand up, just hustling and also trying to be in a loving relationship with our partners and raise kids in New York. And so, you know, we were just talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk to talk about all the crazy things that happened to us. And I’m like, why don’t we just, like, put this on a stage? Because there’s stories and there’s lessons and there’s advise, but it doesn’t fit like in a straight up stand up space. So it’s like, why not just do this and see what happens?
Adulting [00:14:38] The vocabulary is be selfish. Yeah, because I have been taught my whole life not to be selfish. Like when you grow up Catholic, it’s these things that have been ingrained into me, like even being high in public. I feel guilty like I’m not supposed to be high. I don’t tell people you’re high because my whole life get high behind the building and don’t tell nobody. You have to act not high.
Michelle Buteau [00:14:56] So originally it was a live show that we did in Brooklyn at Union Hall. Shout out to Union Hall.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:15:02] Shout out to Brooklyn.
Michelle Buteau [00:15:05] And we would donate part of the proceeds to some sort of organization, whether it is Black Lives Matter or the Trevor Project or Planned Parenthood or anything that, you know, important to us. And it was weird because it just felt so good. Like it was very it was rare to like, every time do this show with a friend in an audience, like everyone left feeling solid and whole and, like, replenish them like crazy. Like this is really a shared experience. So like. Yeah. When people started approaching us and saying, you know, can this be a podcast? I’m like, I don’t really know if this should be a podcast because it’s. The great part about it is that this is like a little dark room in the middle of nowhere. And so we can really just like, have this safe space. But when Jordan and I were talking about it, it’s like, well, wow. Like, we have such a big community of people that we can talk to and we still have things we have to talk about. What about those people that live, you know, hours and hours away from an airport? You know, they’re just they have no one to talk to. So we’re just like let’s just see. Let’s just, you know, mess around and see what happens. And so I’m so glad we did because the messages that I’ve gotten, it’s just like I never, ever need to read another like TV or film review, cause I’m just like, don’t worry about it.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:16:28] Right, Right.
Michelle Buteau [00:16:30] These are the reviews that really, really matter.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:16:32] All right. I love that. And I you know, we’ve had Cedric the Entertainer and Lee Anderson on, you know, talking about also doing projects with friends, which is so important because, as you said, you know, as people bring an old business into a new business, it’s so comforting sometimes to work on a project with someone that you know, love and trust.
Michelle Buteau [00:16:52] Yeah.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:16:52] We’re going to take a quick commercial break. I’m with the multihyphenate Michelle Buteau talking about all things therapy and podcasts and books and TV shows. We will be right back. You’re listening to the Blackest Questions.
Star Stories Podcast [00:17:08] I’m Touré. Join us for crazy true stories about stars who I really hung out with like Snoop, Jay-Z, Prince, Kanye and the time I got kidnaped by Suge Knight. Don’t miss my animated series Star Stories with Touré from theGrio Black Podcast Network.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:17:35] And we’re back. I’m with the multihyphenate Michelle Buteau talking about all the things she’s doing incredibly well on the Blackest Questions. Are you ready for question number three?
Michelle Buteau [00:17:45] No.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:17:46] Yes, you are. I believe in you. I believe. Despite what we were taught for generation, Christopher Columbus did not discover America. The Native Americans were already here. The same is true for this Caribbean island that Columbus visited in 1492. He was the first European to visit the island, and he claimed it for Spain. Over the next several hundred years, the island became a crucial part of Black history. Can you name this island? And if you do not name it, I think your mother will have a fit.
Michelle Buteau [00:18:19] I think my father will have a fit. No.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:18:23] I think your mother will have a fit.
Michelle Buteau [00:18:25] Oh, my mom was going to have a fit. Oh, my God. Okay. Is it Jamaica?
Dr. Christina Greer [00:18:32] It is Jamaica. I was just trying to help you.
Michelle Buteau [00:18:36] Really. Look. Some people like. Okay, because look. Okay, I’ll shut up. I’ll be quiet.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:18:43] So let me just tell our listeners. So a lot of people, I think, would think it’s Haiti.
Michelle Buteau [00:18:48] While you tell them, should I see myself out?
Dr. Christina Greer [00:18:51] No, no, you’re going to stay with me because we still haven’t gotten to Black Lightning, which I’m super excited about. Oh, okay. So it’s Jamaica. The first Jamaicans were Taino Indians who settled in Jamaica around 600 A.D. and live peacefully for almost 900 years until Columbus arrived. The Tainos were wiped out within 50 years of the Spanish conquest. The Arawakan language spoken by the Taino survives in many words such as hammock, hurricane, tobacco, barbecue and canoe. The word Jamaica also derives from the Arawakan language, meaning land of wood and water. So I know that your mother is Jamaican and your father’s Haitian. So how do you see their cultures coming into not just your work, but impacting your life? And how do you spend time in Jamaica or Haiti?
Michelle Buteau [00:19:39] Well, I can’t speak for everyone, but I always feel like you’re more of what your mom is. And so I have been going to Jamaica every year since I was three weeks old. My Haitian family, most of them have migrated. And so I’ve always wants to go to Haiti. I’ve never been. Like the few times I did want to go, my dad’s like, like one of those things, you know, where he came in the sixties and try to assimilate is that’s like, why do you want to go back to build toilets with white people? I’m like it ain’t that deep. But it is for him. So, you know it’s all the things you know like I, I love being Caribbean. It explains a lot about me and how my zest for life and community and, you know, seeing friends and like strangers as chosen family in a village, you know, Jamaicans definitely adopt everybody. Everybody’s Auntie and Uncle. And work ethic. I mean, yeah, I don’t mind working all day, if I’m doing something I love, even if it’s something I do like, you know?
Dr. Christina Greer [00:20:48] Right.
Michelle Buteau [00:20:48] I have pride. So. Yeah.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:20:50] Oh, I love that. You have pride. I feel like people don’t use that word enough. I really don’t. You have pride. You can tell that.You can tell that, though, in your work.
Michelle Buteau [00:21:01] Right. you’ve been to a restaurant and you’re like this chef does not like his job.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:21:05] Listen. You know, I can always tell? The salad. You gave me these these mescaline greens that are from the bottom of the tin. You didn’t care.
Michelle Buteau [00:21:12] Oh, oh.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:21:13] Like you didn’t care.
Michelle Buteau [00:21:15] Speak on it. I don’t want a soggy bottom.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:21:18] I know want a soggy bottom. Okay, so we’re going to play Black Lightning really quickly. That means these two Chatty Cathys have to just. These are the first thing that comes to your mind. There’s no right or wrong answer. Okay. Okay. You ready for Black Lightning?
Michelle Buteau [00:21:31] Yes, ma’am.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:21:32] Okay. What reality TV show could you not live without?
Michelle Buteau [00:21:37] 90 Day Fiancé.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:21:39] What’s an item of clothing or style you hate to wear?
Michelle Buteau [00:21:43] Brazilian bootcut jeans. How dare you?
Dr. Christina Greer [00:21:47] How dare you? I was going to say a bra, but that’s a whole nother thing. Okay, High heels are flats?
Michelle Buteau [00:21:52] Ooh, I say a kitten. In between. Come on.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:21:55] Oh, okay. Best thing about being a mom?
Michelle Buteau [00:21:59] Oh, I don’t have time for people’s bullshit.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:22:04] Love it. Favorite comedian as a kid?
Michelle Buteau [00:22:08] Oh, my goodness. Um. Oh, my goodness. Joan Rivers.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:22:13] Oh my god, that’s mine.
Michelle Buteau [00:22:14] I have her desk.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:22:18] Oh, my gosh. Oh, my gosh. Okay. Yeah, I literally found my kindred spirit online. Okay. Who’s your favorite comedian now?
Michelle Buteau [00:22:27] Too many to count.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:22:28] Okay, One food item you can’t get enough of?
Michelle Buteau [00:22:32] Oh, my god. Uh, I don’t know. That’s so crazy.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:22:40] Okay. Think about it.
Michelle Buteau [00:22:42] Yeah. I love a green juice. I don’t know. Champagne. Is that a food item?
Dr. Christina Greer [00:22:47] I just got a juicer, and it totally is because it’s grapes, so therefore it’s fruit. Okay, last question. You can have dinner with anyone dead or alive. Who are you sitting down with?
Michelle Buteau [00:22:57] My grandma, Mavis.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:22:59] Mm. Oh, I love that. I want to thank you so much for playing along with us. Make sure you follow Michelle’s project so you can keep up with all of her work. And check out our podcast, Adulting with Michelle Buteau and Jordan Carlos. Produced by Exactly Right Media wherever you get your podcasts. Obviously, check out all four other projects as well. I want to thank you all for listening to the Blackest Questions. The show is produced by Sasha Armstrong and Geoffrey Trudeau, and Regina Griffin is our director of podcasts. If you like what you heard, subscribe to this podcast so you never miss an episode. You can find more on theGrio Black Podcast Network, on theGrio app, website and YouTube. I want to thank Michelle Buteau again. What a fun and fun episode.
Michelle Buteau [00:23:36] Yay! Thank you.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:23:39] Woo, we did it.
Star Stories Podcast [00:23:45] I’m Touré. Join us for crazy true stories about stars who I really hung out with like Snoop, Jay-Z, Prince, Kanye and the time I got kidnaped by Suge Knight. Don’t miss my animated series Star Stories with Touré from theGrio Black Podcast Network.
