Nicole Byer
Nicole Byer | |
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Born | |
Occupation |
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Years active | 2009–present |
Known for | Nailed It! Loosely Exactly Nicole Girl Code Why Won't You Date Me? |
Nicole Byer (born August 29, 1986) is an American comedian, actress, television host, podcaster, and author. She is known as the host of the Netflix comedic reality bake-off series Nailed It! (2018–present), for which she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.[1][2]
Byer gained recognition for her work in the commentary series Girl Code (2013).[3] Byer later starred in the MTV/Facebook Watch comedy series Loosely Exactly Nicole (2016–2018), which was based on her real life experiences.[4] She made several guest appearances in such comedy series as 30 Rock (2012), Family Guy (2016), Transparent (2016–2017), The Good Place (2019), Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2019–2021), and The Simpsons (2019). She also appeared in films, including Other People (2016), All About Nina (2018), Bad Hair (2020), and Valley Girl (2020).
Byer is the host of the podcast Why Won't You Date Me?,[5] the Earwolf podcast Best Friends, and the Headgum podcast Newcomers.
In 2021, Byer began co-hosting Wipeout with John Cena.
Early life[]
Byer was born in the Lincroft section of Middletown Township, New Jersey on August 19, 1986, the youngest daughter of Trevor Byer, a scientist for AT&T, and Lillie Byer.[citation needed] Byer graduated from Middletown High School South in 2004.[6]
Byer moved to New York City after high school, waitressing and taking classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade before moving to Los Angeles in 2012.[7] Byer graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy Certificate Program in Professional Performance.[8]
Career[]
In 2013, Byer and Sasheer Zamata created and starred in a web series called Pursuit of Sexiness which was produced by Upright Citizens Brigade.[9]
Byer appeared in several roles on network television in 2016. That year, she had supporting roles on three shows: MTV's commentary show Girl Code; a hidden camera prank show Ladylike, also on MTV; and she was a series regular on the Fox show Party Over Here, a half-hour sketch comedy created by Paul Scheer and Lonely Island, which was cancelled after one season.[10][11][12] As a commentator on the show Girl Code, she was described by Maitri Mehta at Bustle as a "beloved talking head";[3] Stephanie Merry at The Washington Post called Byer "one of the most dependably funny commentators" on the show.[13]
Byer has guest starred in several shows including BoJack Horseman, Transparent, and Bob's Burgers. She played Lizette in season 5, episode 7 of the Freeform series Young & Hungry in 2017. She appeared as a guest judge on the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars.[14] She tours the United States doing stand-up comedy and regularly performs improv with Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles.
Since March 2018, Byer hosts a Netflix original bake-off series Nailed It! alongside head judge, chocolatier Jacques Torres. Each episode features three home bakers with a "terrible track record" attempting to recreate extremely complicated pastries for a $10,000 prize.[15] She received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program.
In 2018, she appeared in a Smirnoff ad campaign with actor Ted Danson.[16]
Her first book #VERYFAT #VERYBRAVE: The Fat Girl's Guide to Being #Brave and Not a Dejected, Melancholy, Down-in-the-Dumps Weeping Fat Girl in a Bikini was released in 2020.[17]
Loosely Exactly Nicole[]
In 2016, MTV premiered Loosely Exactly Nicole, a scripted, single-camera comedy written and starring Byer, based on her life.[4] Madeleine Davies at Jezebel described the show's premise as a "comedic look on [Byer's] life as a black actress struggling to make it in Hollywood."[18] Loosely, Exactly Nicole premiered September 5, 2016 on MTV.[19] It was later cancelled after one season.[20] Shortly after, it was picked up by Facebook Watch for a second season.[21]
Podcasts[]
In December 2017, Byer launched a weekly podcast Why Won't You Date Me? on the HeadGum podcast network.[22] Each episode features a guest, typically another comedian, with whom Byer converses openly about her limited dating history, past sexual experiences, and frustration with being single.[23] The guest also critiques her Tinder profile. Byer concludes each show by asking the guest host if they would date her. Past guests include her very close friend Sasheer Zamata, Emily Heller, and Brooks Wheelan. Critics have referred to the show as "bold"[24] and "refreshing."[25] In 2021, the show left HeadGum to join Conan O'Brian's Team Coco podcast network.[26]
In 2019, Byer, alongside Sasheer Zamata, launched a podcast on the Earwolf podcast network, Best Friends, a weekly podcast in which the two ruminate on the nature of friendship. Guest episodes have included such pairs such as actresses June Diane Raphael and Casey Wilson, drag queens Katya Zamolodchikova and Trixie Mattel, and internet personalities Keith Habersberger and Zach Kornfeld of The Try Guys.[citation needed] The same year, Byer joined comedian and actor Mano Agapion as a co-host on the RuPaul's Drag Race recap podcast Drag Her, and became a cohost of the 90 Day Fiance recap podcast 90 Day Bae with Marcy Jarreau.
In 2020, Byer launched a weekly podcast, Newcomers, on the HeadGum podcast network alongside Lauren Lapkus, in which the two friends watch films for the first time (Star Wars in the first season and The Lord of the Rings in the second) and comment on their feelings on each movie as newcomers to the series.[27] Each episode features a guest who provides more background on the series and characters. Past guests have included John Gemberling, Demi Adejuyigbe, Paul F. Tompkins, and Betsy Sodaro.
Comedic style[]
On The Ringer, Allison P. Davis described Byer's comedy: "Most easily compared to a raunchier Retta with a hint of Ilana Glazer's madcap energy. She's mouthy, vulgar, a little bit goofy, relatable but ridiculously charming, and not afraid to infuse her broad comedy with a confident sexuality."[7] Writing for USA Today, Jaleesa M. Jones said that "it's precisely [Byer's] brazen, ribald brand of comedy that landed her in the creative incubator that is MTV, where she toplines two new comedy shows in 2016, Ladylike and Loosely Exactly Nicole".[19]
Byer described Whoopi Goldberg, Tina Turner, and Mo'Nique as her early inspirations.[19]
Personal life[]
Byer supports body positivity and stated in an interview with Brit+Co, "Body positivity, to me, means you accept the body that you're in... And if you want to change it, you can, but you should love the skin that you're in currently, forever. Because everyone is beautiful. No one's truly ugly. You're always beautiful to somebody, and you're always ugly to somebody."[28] On her sexual orientation, Byer has said that she "doesn't identify as straight", but is uncomfortable with the labels "bisexual" or "queer." She has stated on her podcast Why Won't You Date Me? that she is open to dating people of any gender, and has dated men and women in the past.[29] She is roommates with fellow comedian John Milhiser.[30]
Filmography[]
Film[]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2014 | A Better You | Neighbor | |
2016 | Other People | Charlie | |
2016 | Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates | Office Nicole | |
2018 | All About Nina | Leslie | |
2020 | Bad Hair | Gina | |
2020 | Valley Girl | Deejay | |
2021 | Vivo | Valentina (voice) | |
TBA | Unplugging | Post-production | |
TBA | Mack & Rita | Post-production |
Television[]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | 30 Rock | Mo'Nique Lookalike | Episode: "Grandmentor" |
2013 | Girl Code | Herself | Unknown episodes |
For-Profit Online University | 22MuchBIZ | Adult Swim special | |
2013–2014 | The Birthday Boys | Nurse / Maurine | 2 episodes |
2013–2015 | Pursuit of Sexiness | Nicky | 11 episodes; Also writer |
2014 | Friends of the People | Unknown | Episode: "Meet the Friends" |
2015 | Like, Share, Die | Miss Andry / Wendy Williams (voice) | 2 episodes |
Comedy Bang! Bang! | Terri Herdsman | Episode: "Weird Al Yankovic Wears a Different Hawaiian Shirt" | |
2016 | Angie Tribeca | Holly | Episode: "The Famous Ventriloquist Did It" |
Animals. | Stephanie (voice) | Episode: "Pigeons" | |
Lady Dynamite | A.D. Fiona | 2 episodes | |
Party Over Here | Various | 10 episodes | |
Ladylike | Herself | 8 episodes | |
Family Guy | Airport Security Officer (voice) | Episode: "The Boys in the Band" | |
2016–2017 | The UCB Show | Various | 2 episodes |
Transparent | Jataun | 2 episodes | |
2016–2018 | BoJack Horseman | Interviewee / Talk Show Peahen / Teenage Girl (voice) | 2 episodes |
Loosely Exactly Nicole | Nicole Byer | 20 episodes; Also writer and producer | |
2017 | Michael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Special | Security Guard #2 | TV special |
Young & Hungry | Lizette | Episode: "Young & Bridesmaids" | |
2017–2018 | Star vs. the Forces of Evil | Princess Arms / Princess Jaggs (voice) | 3 episodes |
2018–present | Nailed It! | Herself (host) | 32 episodes |
2018 | Bob's Burgers | Martha / Drunk Lounge Lady (voice) | Episode: "Go Tina on the Mountain" |
Little Big Awesome | Ho Cho Flo / Puppy Num Nums (voice) | Episode: "Puppy Shower/Claude the Buff Hamster" | |
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars | Herself | Episode: "All Stars Snatch Game" | |
2018–2020 | Apple & Onion | Cotton Candy / Kid / Rude Fan (voice) | 5 episodes |
2018–2021 | Big City Greens | Andromeda (voice) | 5 episodes |
2019 | The Good Place | Gwendolyn | Episode: "The Book of Dougs" |
The Simpsons | Erica (voice) | Episode: "Bart vs. Itchy & Scratchy" | |
Bajillion Dollar Propertie$ | Mandine Chinton | Episode: "Missing Dean" | |
A Black Lady Sketch Show | The Invisible Man | 2 episodes | |
Snoopy in Space | C.A.R.A. (voice) | 11 episodes | |
2019–2021 | Brooklyn Nine-Nine | Trudy Judy | 3 episodes |
2019–present | Tuca & Bertie | Various voices | |
2019–2021 | The Unicorn | Meg | 3 episodes |
2020 | Lego Masters | Herself | Episode: "Storybook" |
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars | Herself | Episode: "Get a Room!" | |
American Dad! | Pickle House Customer (voice) | Episode: "Trophy Wife, Trophy Life" | |
Game On! | Herself | Episode: "Celebrity Guests: Nicole Byer and David Ortiz" | |
Mapleworth Murders[31] | Julia Squift | Episode: "The Case of the Case of Wine: Part I" | |
Amphibia | Gertie (voice) | 2 episodes | |
Woke | 40 Oz. Bottle (voice) | 3 episodes | |
Archer | Gabrielle (voice) | Episode: "The Double Date" | |
The George Lucas Talk Show | Herself | Episode: "Radioland Stream Night" | |
2021 | Close Enough | Ophira (voice) | Episode: "Where'd You Go, Bridgette?/The Erotic Awakening of A.P. LaPearle" |
RuPaul's Drag Race | Herself | 2 episodes | |
Wipeout | Herself (co-host)[32] | 10 episodes | |
Invincible | Vanessa / Fiona | Episode: "That Actually Hurt" | |
Home Economics | Amanda Conley | Episode: "Opus Cabernet, 2015, $500" | |
Rugrats | Lucy Carmichael (voice) | Main role |
Podcasts[]
Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
2013 | Before You Were Funny | Guest |
2013 | Doodie Calls with Doug Mand | Guest |
2014–2017 | Baby Geniuses | Guest; 4 episodes |
2015–2017 | Hollywood Handbook | Guest; 2 episodes |
2015 | Can I Pet Your Dog? | Guest |
2015–2019 | Lady to Lady | Guest; 2 episodes |
2015 | The Champs | Guest |
2016–2020 | Doughboys | Guest; 8 episodes |
2016 | Black Men Can't Jump [In Hollywood] | Guest |
2016 | Make Me Like It | Guest |
2016 | The MEAT Improv with Jake Jabbour and Josh Simpson | Guest |
2016 | Don't Get Me Started | Guest |
2016 | The CONAN Podcast | Guest |
2016–2019 | High and Mighty | Guest; 5 episodes |
2016 | Slate Daily Feed | Guest |
2016 | Another Round | Guest |
2016 | No Joke | Guest |
2017 | The Bechdel Cast | Guest |
2017–2018 | Natch Beaut | Guest; 2 episodes |
2017 | The Need to Fail with Don Fanelli | Guest |
2017 | Weird Adults with Little Esther | Guest |
2017 | The Dumbbells | Guest |
2017 | Kar-Dishin' It: All Things Kardashian | Guest |
2017–2019 | I'm Too Effing High | Guest; 5 episodes |
2017–2019 | If I Were You | Guest; 2 episodes |
2017 | Treks and the City | Guest |
2017–present | Why Won't You Date Me? | Host |
2018 | Unladylike | Guest |
2018 | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Guest |
2018 | Raised by TV | Guest |
2018 | Spontaneanation | Guest |
2018 | Off Book: The Improvised Musical | Guest |
2018 | The Big Listen | Guest; 2 episodes |
2018 | Unhappy Hour with Matt Bellassai | Guest |
2018 | You're Making It Worse | Guest |
2018 | The Soft Spot | Guest |
2018 | Inside the Disney Vault | Guest |
2019–2020 | Not Too Deep with Grace Helbig | Guest; 2 episodes |
2018 | Womp It Up! | Guest |
2018 | A Funny Feeling | Guest |
2018 | Hysteria | Guest |
2019 | Good One: A Podcast About Jokes | Guest |
2018 | Everything is Rent | Guest |
2018 | unBEARable with Big Dipper and Meatball | Guest |
2018 | This Particular Album is Very, Very Important to Me | Guest |
2018 | All Fantasy Everything | Guest |
2019–present | Best Friends | Co-host (with Sasheer Zamata) |
2019 | Who's Your God? | Guest |
2019 | The Good Place: The Podcast | Guest |
2019 | Cool Playlist | Guest |
2019 | Be Here for a While | Guest |
2019–2020 | Forever35 | Guest; 2 episodes |
2019 | Two Girls One Ghost | Guest |
2019 | The Worst with Greta Titelman | Guest |
2019 | Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend | Guest |
2019 | Three Questions with Andy Richter | Guest |
2019 | Scam Goddess | Guest |
2019 | A Mediocre Time with Tom and Dan | Guest |
2019 | And Especially You | Guest |
2019 | Worst Firsts with Brittany Furlan | Guest |
2019 | I Hate Talking About Myself | Guest |
2019 | Your Mom's House | Guest |
2019 | Air Jordan: A Food Podcast | Guest |
2019–present | Drag Her | Co-host (with Mano Agapion) |
2019 | Gettin Better with Ron Funches | Guest |
2019 | Kreative Kontrol | Guest |
2019–present | 90 Day Bae | Co-host (with Marcy Jarreau) |
2019 | Punch Up The Jam | Guest |
2019 | Ghosted! by Roz Drezfalez | Guest |
2019 | Sloppy Seconds with Big Dipper and Meatball | Guest |
2019 | Good for You with Whitney Cummings | Guest |
2019 | The Goodie Goodie with Sabrina Jalees | Guest; 2 episodes |
2019 | I'm Afraid of That | Guest |
2019–2020 | It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders | Guest |
2019 | Las Culturistas | Guest |
2020 | Inside Voices | Guest |
2020–present | Newcomers | Co-host (with Lauren Lapkus) |
2020 | Strong Black Lead | Guest |
2020 | Netflix Is A Daily Joke | Guest |
2020 | Staying In with Emily and Kumail | Guest |
2020 | Culture Kings | Guest |
2020 | U Up? | Guest |
2020 | I Don't Want to Talk About Fight Club Anymore | Guest; 2 episodes |
2020 | I Weigh with Jameela Jamil | Guest |
2020 | Spanish Aqui Presents | Guest |
2020 | Marti Talks | Guest |
2020 | Late Night with Seth Meyers Podcast | Guest |
2021 | Wanna Be On Top? | Guest |
Awards and nominations[]
Year | Association | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Gold Derby Awards | Best Reality Host | Nailed It! | Nominated | |
Reality Host of the Decade | Nominated | ||||
Online Film & Television Association | Best Host in a Reality Program | Nominated | |||
2020 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program | Nominated | ||
2021 | MTV Movie & TV Awards | Best Host | Pending | [33] |
References[]
- ^ Romano, Nick (March 10, 2018). "Nailed It is the Netflix series about baking fails you didn't know you needed". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 12, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
- ^ "2020 Primetime Emmy® Awards – Nomination Press Release" (PDF). Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Mehta, Maitri (September 8, 2015). "Who Is Nicole Byer? The Comedian Has Two New Shows On MTV & She Deserves It". Bustle. Archived from the original on September 6, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
- ^ Jump up to: a b de Moraes, Lisa (July 31, 2016). "'Loosely Exactly Nicole' Star Nicole Byer Asked To Explain Show's White EPs – TCA". Deadline. Archived from the original on September 5, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
- ^ "Why Won't You Date Me?". HeadGum.com. Archived from the original on August 15, 2018. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
- ^ "DOE Co-Sponsors 24th Annual Governor's Awards in Arts Education" Archived January 15, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of Education, press release dated May 26, 2004. Accessed January 14, 2019. "Nicole Byer - Lincroft - Middletown HS South"
- ^ Jump up to: a b Davis, Allison P. (September 6, 2016). "Nicole Byer Is Not Your Teacher". The Ringer. Archived from the original on February 15, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
- ^ Byer, Nicole. "Best Friends with Nicole Byer and Sasheer Zamata; Episode 7:Nicole is Watching Frasier (at 35:15)". Apple.com. EarWolf. Archived from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
- ^ Wright, Megh (April 28, 2015). "Sasheer Zamata and Nicole Byer Turn into Garbage Monsters in 'Pursuit of Sexiness'". Splitsider. Archived from the original on June 9, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
- ^ Wright, Megh (March 17, 2016). "Nicole Byer Is the Nation's Top Transvaginal Mesh Attorney on This Week's 'Party Over Here'". Splitsider. Archived from the original on September 19, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
- ^ Wright, Megh (May 13, 2016). "Nicole Byer Gets Stalked by an Internet Ad on Tomorrow's 'Party Over Here'". Splitsider. Archived from the original on September 19, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
- ^ Houlihan, Ryan (September 8, 2015). "Nicole Byer Is About To Redefine The Term 'Ladylike' With Brand-New Show". MTV. Archived from the original on September 14, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
- ^ Merry, Stephanie. "Nicole Byer has her own TV show, and the fact she's a black female comedian is the 'least interesting thing' about it". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 9, 2019. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
- ^ Sava, Oliver (February 15, 2018). "Kristin Chenoweth can't save Drag Race's humdrum All Stars Snatch Game". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- ^ Licata, Elizabeth (February 22, 2018). "Netflix's "Nailed It" Is a Hilarious TV Baking Competition for Amateur Chefs". The Kitchn. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
- ^ Scott, Sydney. "Nicole Byer Shares The Most Embarrassing Thing She's Done In Bed With A Guy". Essence.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
- ^ Miller, Gregory E. (October 30, 2019). "Nicole Byer dishes on pole-dancing, comedy and writing book". New York Post. Archived from the original on November 12, 2019. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
- ^ Davies, Madeleine (August 1, 2016). "'I Want It Blacker': Here's the First Trailer for Nicole Byer's Loosely Exactly Nicole". Jezebel. Archived from the original on September 7, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Jones, Jaleesa M. (August 3, 2016). "'Loosely Exactly Nicole' star Nicole Byer on early auditions: I was asked to 'be as black as possible'". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 8, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 9, 2017). "MTV's 'Loosely Exactly Nicole' & 'Mary + Jane' Comedy Series Canceled After One Season, What About 'Sweet/Vicious'?". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 15, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley. "Facebook Dives Into Scripted Television With Nicole Byer Comedy Series". hollywoodreporter.com. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
- ^ "Why Won't You Date Me?". Headgum.com. Headgum. Archived from the original on August 15, 2018. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
- ^ "Nicole Byer Takes Honesty About Dating to Whole New Level with 'Why Won't You Date Me?'". The Comedy Bureau. February 23, 2018. Archived from the original on August 15, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ^ Wright, Megh. "This Week in Comedy Podcasts: A Very Special Episode of Nicole Byer's 'Why Won't You Date Me?'". Vulture.com. Archived from the original on August 15, 2018. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
- ^ Foskett, Annie. "5 Podcasts About Dating You Need To Hear If You're Dating In Your 20s". Elite Daily. Archived from the original on August 15, 2018. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
- ^ White, Peter (January 12, 2021). "Conan O'Brien's Team Coco Picks Up Nicole Byer Podcast, Develops Show With J.B. Smoove & Staffs Up". Deadline. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ "Newcomers: Star Wars with Lauren Lapkus & Nicole Byer". Headgum.com. Headgum. Archived from the original on May 27, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ Takeda, Allison. "Nicole Byer Can Find Humor in Anything — And She Does, on 'Loosely Exactly Nicole'". www.brit.co. Brit+Co. Archived from the original on August 21, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
- ^ "Nicole Byer: "I don't identify as straight, I identify as a person who just loves"". Gay Times. Archived from the original on July 22, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
- ^ "Living with Nicole Byer (w/ John Milhiser)". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
- ^ Porter, Rick (December 3, 2019). "Lorne Michaels' Quibi Murder Mystery Lines Up All-Star Cast". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 8, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
- ^ Denise Petski (September 10, 2020). "Wipeout: John Cena & Nicole Byer To Host TBS' Revival Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 10, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
- ^ "Your 2021 MTV Movie & TV Awards Nominations Are Here: See The Full List". MTV News. April 19, 2021.
External links[]
- Living people
- American sketch comedians
- American television actresses
- Upright Citizens Brigade Theater performers
- American women comedians
- Middletown High School South alumni
- People from Middletown Township, New Jersey
- American women podcasters
- American podcasters
- 21st-century American comedians
- Comedians from New Jersey
- 1986 births
- American stand-up comedians
- LGBT comedians
- Actresses from New Jersey
- American television hosts
- American women television presenters
- American voice actresses
- African-American female comedians
- African-American women writers
- 21st-century American actresses