Michelle Collins Really Wants You To Know Who She Is

As a devoted fan of comedian Michelle Collins for years and years, I am thrilled to report she's in top form. Back in New York for her new show: Wait Why Don’t I Know You, I caught up with Collins recently to chat all things growing up in Florida, her new podcast with BritBox, and her love of Joe’s Pub. Our conversation has been edited for clarity and length.  

So talk to me about this new set. As a fellow South Floridian, I love that you go deep into your roots. How did this come to be?

I've been doing standup for a long time and I really love it. It's probably where I am my most authentic self, I would say--in front of people, the immediate feedback. I've been doing it a long time, but I haven't had that big special yet. And when I went on tour with the cast of Queer Eye last year, you know, I opened for them and then I moderated and, not to sound cocky, but afterwards all these people would come up to me and be like, wait, why don't I know you? And I was like, well, I don't know. You know, what do you say to that? It's a compliment and it's obviously meant in such a nice way, but it's like, well, I guess because I haven't been as lucky as some other people. So, that kind of gave me the idea for the title of the show. And then I went home to Miami and found all these childhood pictures. And as an FBC, Formerly Bullied Child, I wanted to figure out why I'm a comedian, who I was, who I am now and have it be used as an opportunity to be funny and random.

You are obviously no stranger to talking about your family during your shows, but I’m curious what is was like revisiting and finding all of these old photos and diving into that?

It was actually a bit painful and I think it brought up some really weird feelings about my childhood and also how I looked when I was growing up because I was so deeply insecure. Then I looked at the pictures and I was like, oh, you should have been, look at you: you looked like a mess. Of course you were insecure, you know? It was really hard actually seeing photos of myself when I had short hair in the sixth grade. That was a nightmare in many respects. Also, being overweight and being tall and having to navigate that as a woman who was in high school. It was difficult. But it was funny because my mom was like, oh, well, which pictures are you taking from us? Which pictures are using? And I didn't want to tell her because I was just like, no, let me do this. I'm going through this journey. Like, no. It was harder than I thought. But then, on stage, I turn it into something positive.

Let's talk about Joe's Pub for a minute. Why is it such a special place for you?

I have a serious love for that venue. It's the most glamorous, fun, cozy, chic, delicious drinks, delicious food, the best employees, the people who work there are so unbelievably amazing and nice. I always feel very safe when I go to Joe's Pub. It just has a good energy. I've performed in places that don't have a good energy and you do feel that. Places that are either too big, the room is too long, all these other things. Joe's Pub is just magical in every way. I love singing there. I love having my slides up behind me and also being able to communicate with the audience who sits essentially, you know, two inches away from my crotch. They're fabulous and I just adore it.

I want to talk about BritBox for a minute and how this all came together. Talk to me about how excited you are for this new moment right now.

Well, here's the thing. I have always been trying to figure out a way to infiltrate England. It's been top of my list genuinely since birth. And I can't believe I finally, kind of, did it with this podcast. I have been the biggest Anglophile my entire life. I love the English. I spend so much time in London. I love their comedy, their drama, their sensibilities, everything about that country, genuinely, I connect with. Edith Bowman, who's my co-host, she's really well known in England as a presenter. Every English friend of mine adores her. She is just the funniest, loveliest, petite Scottish woman. We really clicked from the get-go. You know, it doesn't always happen that way. Sometimes chemistry can feel forced with people. Not with her. I just adore her and I'm so happy that we click the way we do. It's been really fun. We've had incredible guests on so far. The English are just inherently funny. We've yet to have someone who doesn't have a great sense of humor. They're always down to self-deprecate and have a good time and I'm over the moon about it.

I want to talk about Broadway for a minute. What is your dream Broadway role and how can I make it happen?

My dream...I have a couple. You know, I have a deep singing voice. So, I have to be realistic about this. I would love to be the plant in Little Shop. I think I'd crush as Audrey II. Honestly, you know how much I love Les Miserables. And I really think that they need to do a gender swapped, Tilda Swinton version of Les Mis, where I am ideally Javert. I think his songs are more in my wheelhouse. And I think I'd look better with like a low pony, double-breasted situation. I think physically I've got what it takes to be Javert.

While you're in town, are you gonna catch any shows?

I'm dying to see Death Becomes Her. Haven't gotten the chance. I've seen Oh, Mary! twice: once here with Cole [Escola], once in London with Mason Alexander Park, but Maya Rudolph is one of the great goddesses of my life, so I would die to see that.

Michelle, I can’t wait. 

Even if you don't know who I am, you will laugh. I feel like there's something for everybody in the show at some point. And I know that's true because there are women who bring their husbands, who have no clue who I am, and they always have a good time.