I don’t know who first decided that January 1st had to be a hard deadline for resolutions, but it never made sense to me. The first week of the first month of the new year isn’t going to set you up to be your best new self. You’re recovering from December and the kids are still at home. I will probably (reluctantly) have to go back to work. Are you supposed to somehow wake up refreshed and reborn? Mr. Bish, please. And you know what? Michelle Buteau agrees.
2026 is shaping up to be another important year for Buteau. She’s the creator and star of Netflix’s hilarious hit series Survival of the thickestproduction has now resumed for a third and final season. Comedian made history by becoming the first woman to record a stand-up special at Radio City Music Hall. And especially relevant to this conversation are moms who fully understand that the “new year, new me” energy doesn’t magically begin on January 1st.
That’s why it was a natural fit for Buteau to partner with Premier Protein on its “New Year, New Year” campaign, which encourages people to start fresh when they’re ready. She has always been an advocate of living life on your own terms. “My mission statement has always been that it doesn’t matter how you get there, as long as you get there and give yourself grace,” she told us over Zoom.
That’s just one of the many ways Buteau appeared in our conversation exactly as you might imagine. Very funny, a little unsettling (at one point she pulled her leg up and pointed it skyward to show me her socks), and refreshingly real about everything from determination to the inherent messiness of motherhood.
SM: As a working mom with so much going on, what is it actually like to start a new year?
MB: It seems like self-care, but let’s be honest…I don’t have time for vacation. That’s everyone’s go-to answer for me. need to run away. Like, “Do you know how much effort it takes to escape?” This, that, and this person all have to make plans, pack up, and leave. And then I have to come back and worry about my Instagram photos and clothes. Then I have to reintroduce myself to my family and everyone else, fix what you messed up while I was gone, do the laundry and get back to work right away. And that’s not fun for me. I like to find rest, civility and health in everyday moments.
SM: Protein has become something of an internet personality trait these days. Everyone is hooked. What’s the weirdest way you’ve tried to get protein?
MB: To be honest, I’m one of those protein-craving girls. I put a little protein shake in my coffee and eat a boiled egg with kimchi on top. Then snack on rolled turkey slices with spicy mustard. And I’m married to a European-Dutch guy who’s a quarter of a sandwich person… but I don’t like sandwiches. I like what’s in my sandwich. And I love weightlifting and sometimes do the odd squat in the middle of a conversation. Because I am a goddess and I need a goddess stretch. I mean, I’m a weirdo, but I’m a good person.
SM: You like dancing, right? you are a dancer
MB: Are you a dancer or are you just like, oh no?
SM: Oh, I’m good at dancing. Basically, I don’t understand why this is the case do not have I’m actually a Disney princess because I spend my whole life dancing and singing around the house. My kids think it’s “uncomfortable”. I don’t care.
MB: I don’t care either. At the moment I am a co-producer KPop Demon Hunter song.
SM: Mothers are tired. What’s the most disabling thing you’ve done recently that made you think, “Wait, am I okay?” Am I okay?
MB: Yeah, there are a lot of things. But what I can actually share publicly is, don’t ask me what I do with a dirty towel. I just…we’re out of here. But I feel like I forgot to use the fork at some point. I was just eating with my hands. But not only did I forget to use a fork, I was serving the kids at the dinner table. (Handing out green beans) Something like, “Give me some green beans.” They’re like, “What are you doing?” I’m like, “What?” you Are you doing it?
SM: I think they thought it was a lot of fun.
MB: No, but it’s okay. They made me a card. they were kind to me.
SM: Oh, that’s so nice.
MB: Yeah, they could read the room.
SM: You’ve done so many big, iconic things – Radio City, Netflix, touring, etc. – what’s a small victory lately that’s made you feel unstoppable?
MB: A clean kitchen counter would be amazing. oh. I don’t know what oregano oil is. It seems sour, but I put it in my mouth. I’m like, I don’t know. Everyone keeps telling me I need to do that. Plus, I did something really crazy, washing clothes, drying them, then folding them. and I put them away.
SM: Now you’re just talking crazy stuff.
MB: I’m wild. I’m upset. Please come and get her.
SM: We’re talking big projects and moving into a new year, but what stories do you want to tell next that may have felt out of reach earlier in your career?
MB: It’s so funny to say that because even when I started doing comedy, there was only one woman in the lineup. And I remember thinking, this is the only comedy movie that uses two hands. thelma and louise. ‘Where are the movies for women?’ So it’s really exciting to be in this time where we’re sharing our stories, we’re raw, we’re vulnerable and we’re into it. We have a language and a vocabulary for what our bodies are experiencing. In this beautiful watercooler talk, you can now share things you haven’t been able to share before. And I love it so much. That’s kind of my mission statement in everything I do.
I did this movie with Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, and Anna Ferris, and guess what? Comedy powerhouse. it is called spa weekend, And it’s a story about four tired women who almost refuse to let go of the responsibilities they have, so they’re forced to give themselves time off and go away for the weekend – and life can’t do without them. But that’s part of life. It’s just like resting teeth productive. So it was a really fun movie.
I’ll be on tour as well, and the comedy tour is going to be called “Surviving and Thriving.” Because we always feel like we’re in two places at the same time. Yes, whatever surviving or thriving means to you, I love it. It’s going to be a lot of fun, and there are no refunds. sorry.
SM: As a mother, what are some of the things that you kind of like about parenting that it completely ruined for you?
MB: Having something good. Giving value to things you buy that are broken or white (lol). Girl, what? That’s not the case now. It’s just kind of a weird egg shade. And privacy. But I love it. I like it very much. It’s a pile of emotional puppies. Pile-up or pile-up? Forget the words!
It’s so wonderful. Every day feels like a kind of panic room, and you need new clues to figure out how to move on to the next thing. But the village is exactly what people are. everyone will help me. you know what i mean? I love going out with my twins, especially at the airport. I can’t believe I’m actually saying that, but it’s true because people just show up and help. And I feel like having kids made me want to be a better person and at the same time taught me about humanity and what’s good in this world when people just want to help us and don’t even know us.
So I don’t even remember asking the question.
SM: Neither do I. But everything you said was so beautiful.
MB: That’s all that matters, sis.
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
