Not Skinny But Not Fat — “Chelsea Handler is More Confident Than Ever”
Host: Amanda Hirsch
Guest: Chelsea Handler
Date: January 13, 2026
Episode Overview
In this lively and candid episode, Amanda Hirsch sits down with the iconic comedian, author, and TV host Chelsea Handler. Together, they dive into Chelsea’s journey of self-assurance, growth, and thriving in her fifties—spanning career pivots, fame, family, drugs, and the art of not giving a f***. Chelsea holds nothing back as she shares funny and occasionally vulnerable stories, sparring playfully with Amanda about everything from the chaos of Hollywood awards seasons to the perks (and perils) of family life and getting older.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Award Show Hosting and Critiquing the Industry
- Chelsea’s Critics Choice Gig: Chelsea discusses hosting the Critics Choice Awards for a fourth year, her approach to “fun” on stage, and the changing culture of award shows.
- “I love having fun. I like to make sure my job is fun and that I provide fun for other people and that when you're around me, you're gonna have fun.” (13:21)
- Women as Hosts: Both agree women excel at hosting, bringing warmth and inclusivity.
- “We’re better at this kind of thing ... women should be hosting award shows. I totally think that. All women.” (14:03)
- Award Show Politics: Chelsea clarifies that hosts do get paid and laughs about throwing jokes at industry heavyweights, from Leonardo DiCaprio to Kevin Costner.
2. On Nerves, Practice, and Confidence
- Handling Pressure: Chelsea reveals she still gets nerves, but reframes them as excitement and proof she cares. Age and experience now give her deep confidence in her ability to deliver.
- “One of the greatest things about getting older and getting more mature is ... you have so much experience to draw from.” (16:00)
- How She Prepares: Watching every nominated film "stoned and sober" with friends in Whistler—a process she relishes. (18:16–18:40)
3. Hollywood, Fame, and the Nature of Movie Stars
- Movie Stars Today: Chelsea joins Amanda in lamenting the loss of mystique due to social media but insists true movie stars remain; they just stay off the ‘gram.
- “It's people who are not on social media ... Julia Roberts is a movie star.” (20:53)
- The 'Ick' Factor: Both joke about how movie stars would lose their allure if they posted more online, calling out today’s try-hards and “thirst” culture.
4. Family, Childhood, and Becoming Fierce
- Growing Up Handler: Chelsea opens up about her Jewish/Mormon-NJ upbringing as the youngest of six, the chaos and pranks of her youth, and her early drive for independence and success.
- “I was like, I'm wealthy, I need to be wealthy, I need to be independent, and I need to get the fuck out of New Jersey.” (32:22)
- Non-Traditional Parenting: Amanda and Chelsea debate whether having inattentive parents breeds resilience, with Chelsea conceding that some neglect probably made her more resourceful—but “you can never love someone too hard.” (39:29)
5. Early Hustle and Comedy Beginnings
- First Big Breaks: Chelsea recounts writing “My Horizontal Life” in her 20s while waitressing, and how Girls Behaving Badly preceded Chelsea Lately—her life-changing leap into TV.
- Stand-Up Roots: She stresses her stand-up roots and love, which only deepened after taking a break:
- “Coming back to stand-up after that time ... I've done three specials in four years. I love it ... a much more present experience.” (60:30)
6. Changing Priorities & Embracing Growth
- Leaving Chelsea Lately: Chelsea discusses quitting her hit talk show after seven years, moving on for self-development:
- “I didn’t want to just be known as, like, this catty person ... I wanted to actually learn some stuff.” (56:58)
- Travel & Reassessment: She describes buying homes in Canada and Spain to “live a real life,” diving into documentaries, and launching a new Netflix deal for her podcast and a new scripted TV show. (59:04–60:09)
- Life in Her 50s: Chelsea beams about being happier, hotter, and more decisive than ever at 50:
- “Life keeps getting better and better and better.” (71:01)
- “Every decision is the right decision. I don't look back and go, what if I did that … make the right and don’t look left.” (72:32)
7. Drugs, Partying, and Drawing Lines
- Recreational Drugs: Chelsea openly discusses her enjoyment of weed, psychedelics, and microdosing. She draws the line at hard drugs but isn’t shamed about her lifestyle.
- “I'm a perfect shining example of drugs being an enhancement to my life.” (69:29)
- Party Compatibility: “If I'm gonna date a guy, they're gonna have to party ... I want to party. I like to get loose.” (69:19)
8. Romance, Dating, and Privacy
- Relationship Openness: Chelsea explains she’s had a new guy since her last public one, is generally monogamous, but is flexible and not strategic about sharing her dating life.
- “I don’t take myself that seriously ... I can’t guarantee I'm going to respect your privacy if you date me.” (74:43)
9. Competition, Envy, and Lifting Other Women
- Navigating Competition: Chelsea is honest about occasional envy, but insists on harnessing it positively and cheering on other women.
- “Blowing out someone else’s candle doesn’t make yours brighter. You want everyone's candles lit.” (65:59)
- Decisiveness and Listening to Her Gut: Aging has made Chelsea more loyal to her instincts and less tolerant of negative people.
10. Touring, Hotels, and Favorite Things
- The High and Mighty Tour: Chelsea launches an ambitious 60-city (and counting) tour, calling her travel “a dream” thanks to her perfectly “dialed” logistics.
- Packing Secrets: She doesn't pack her own bags—her housekeeper prepares duplicate kits for her various homes and destinations. (63:06–63:36)
Notable Quotes & Moments
- On Hosting and Experience:
- “I'm reliable, right. I know I'm reliable. So I'm not that worried about any of the responsibilities because I'm going to deliver.” (16:21)
- On Movie Stars & Social Media:
- “There's not ... mystique left because we know everything ... so it's become kind of ick.” (21:00)
- On Success and Worrying Less:
- “I wish I would have known how successful I would be when I was a little girl. I could have just really chilled out and stopped worrying so much.” (32:16)
- On Quitting Chelsea Lately:
- “I was bored talking about Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears ... I needed to move on and evolve.” (56:58)
- On Turning 50:
- “I'm more fit physically than I've ever been ... life keeps getting better and better and better.” (71:02)
- On Drugs and Fun:
- “I love drugs. They're not for everybody, but they're for me.” (68:01)
- On Jealousy and Competition:
- “All ships rise with the tide ... you want everyone's candles lit.” (65:59)
- On Dating Publicly:
- “I can't guarantee that I'm going to respect your privacy if you date me ... Probably going to talk about you at some point.” (74:43)
Highlight Timestamps
- Intro and Award Show Chat: 11:18 – 21:00
- The Nature of Fame & Hollywood: 20:34 – 23:01
- Growing Up & Family Stories: 32:12 – 41:19
- Career Beginnings: 54:07 – 56:45
- Chelsea Lately, Burnout, and Rebirth: 56:45 – 60:09
- Standup and Present-Day Confidence: 60:09 – 61:38
- On Drugs and Partying: 68:01 – 70:16
- Advice, Jealousy, and Supporting Women: 65:13 – 66:54
- Relationships, Love, & Privacy: 72:51 – 74:43
- Tour Info, Favorites Game: 75:16 – 76:54
Tone & Vibe
The tone is candid, irreverent, and fiercely self-assured—Chelsea is as open about her love for drugs and travel as she is about being a favorite aunt, or the importance of supporting other women. There’s a current of vulnerability beneath the bravado, especially as they reflect on families and aging. Both women riff with comedic timing and never lose their sense of fun.
Summary
This episode is a masterclass in how humor, confidence, and experience can shape not just a career but a whole way of living. Chelsea Handler pulls back the curtain on fame, family, reinvention, and the perks of quitting things when it’s time—reminding listeners that self-assurance, decisiveness, and a ‘make-your-own-rules’ attitude can lead to incredible growth at any age.