Chelsea Handler Brings Controversial Comedy Tour to New Zealand

US comedian Chelsea Handler is set to bring her controversially-named tour, ‘Little Big B****,’ to New Zealand this July. The two-stop tour will feature performances at Auckland’s Town Hall on July 5 and Wellington’s St James Theatre on July 6. This marks Handler’s first tour since 2019, and she is eager to reconnect with audiences in the region.

Handler, known for her bold and unapologetic style, has built a career spanning over two decades as an actress, writer, and television host. In a recent interview with ZB‘s Francesca Rudkin, she reflected on her upbringing as the youngest of six children in a chaotic household. “I was not satisfied at all with my family dynamic,” Handler said. “I wanted a big life, I wanted freedom, and I wanted adulthood.”

Her comedy often draws from personal experiences, including her determination to succeed despite early setbacks. Handler recounted a childhood memory of being told she would never fly first class. “I remember walking past the first class section and sniffing around—this is my group, you know? It smells like my group!” she joked. “And my mom’s like, ‘Keep going, we’re in the back, we’ll never be able to fly first class.’ I was like, ‘First of all, speak for yourself.'”

Handler’s outspoken nature has occasionally sparked backlash, but she remains unfazed. “If everyone does like you, what does that say about you?” she said. “It says that you have no opinions, that you don’t stand for anything.” She hopes her comedy inspires women to embrace their power and live boldly. “It’s all about women knowing their own power and standing up for themselves,” she added.

Handler’s tour comes at a time when she is also working on a new book and continuing her podcast, ‘Dear Chelsea.’ She expressed excitement about returning to New Zealand, calling it a “total privilege” to travel the globe and make people laugh. Depending on the outcome of the upcoming US presidential election, she hinted that she might return to the region even sooner.