“It's always been my dream to be in a scene with Wanda Sykes or to do anything with Wanda," the television star tells PEOPLE
Credit: JC Olivera/Getty; Kristina Bumphrey/Variety/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Michelle Buteau tells PEOPLE that Wanda Sykes had a wild question for her before agreeing to make a guest appearance in the third season of Survival of the Thickest
- “It’s always been my dream to be in a scene with Wanda Sykes or to do anything with Wanda,” the television star says
- D.L. Hughley, Ashley Graham, Jenna Lyons and Ice-T also guest star in the season
Michelle Buteau has always wanted to work with Wanda Sykes!
Buteau, 48, tells PEOPLE that Sykes, 62, had a wild question for her before agreeing to make a guest appearance in the third and final season of Survival of the Thickest.
“It's always been my dream to be in a scene with Wanda Sykes or to do anything with Wanda because she has an amazing production company, Push It Productions, and they did both of my specials at Netflix,” the co-creator and star of the Netflix series says.
“While she's always been in this producing role and I've done pilots with her back in the day that have never gotten picked up, it's just like, finally I get to work with mama,” Buteau continues of the Black-ish actress. “It was really fun and very special.”
Credit: Netflix
On set, the television star says she stayed near Sykes.
“I was all in her business,” Buteau recalls, before sharing how the casting happened. “I texted Wanda and I was like, ‘Hey, there's this role and nobody else could do this role but you.’ And I'm like, ‘Are you interested and available?’ And she's like, ‘Yeah, I'm interested, but do I have to be naked’?”
Buteau reassured the Emmy winner that her role would be PG. “No, there's no sex,” she told her.
Survival of the Thickest first premiered on Netflix in 2023. The comedy-drama follows Buteau as a Black plus-size stylist and designer named Mavis.
“She’s determined to not only survive but thrive with the support of her chosen family, a body-positive attitude, and a cute v-neck with some lip gloss,” a synopsis teases.
The series is co-created by Danielle Sanchez Witzel and based on Buteau’s 2020 memoir.
The cast continues with Tone Bell, Tasha Smith, Garcelle Beauvais, Marouane Zotti and Peppermint. The final chapter will also see guest appearances from D.L. Hughley, Ashley Graham, Jenna Lyons and Ice-T.
Credit: Santiago Felipe/Getty
Buteau previously told PEOPLE about facing doubt on her journey to stardom.
The comedian, who has steadily appeared on the small screen since 2011, said she first experienced doubt at home.
"The first person was probably my parents. I told my mom at 12 or 13 or 14, I really wanted to be in a pageant or be on camera, or act or do something. And she was like, ‘That's not a real job.’ And now she's always just like, ‘Oh man, I should have invested,’ " she said.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Buteau continued to share that a college professor, executive producer and stylists have made similar comments.
Survival of the Thickest season 3 premieres July 2 on Netflix.
Read the full article here
