NEW YORK ‒ Back in 2013, Michelle Buteau devised a five-year blueprint for her life: to have two children, host her own television show, and secure a backyard in Brooklyn for composting.

Now residing in the Bronx, the “Survival of the Thickest” actress has not only achieved those goals but has also added to them, releasing the Netflix special “Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind at Radio City Music Hall,” which is currently available for streaming.

“Look at me! I’m doing it,” Buteau exclaims with a smile. “Composting is actually the toughest part. I’m still trying to figure out what to do with eggshells, and I really dislike fruit flies. I had no idea I was even manifesting these things, but it feels great to be excited about what you love. You don’t need to be positive all the time; just appreciate something or someone—maybe even yourself.”

Buteau takes aim at Dave Chappelle in her new Netflix special

With her hour-long performance, Buteau, 47, makes history as the first female comedian to record a special at Radio City. This accomplishment brings a mix of emotions for the vibrant and bold comic, who aimed to ensure her audience feels “acknowledged” while performing in the iconic venue.

“I never asked my team, ‘Is this possible?’” Buteau states. “I told them, ‘How can you support me in making this happen?’ I refuse to hear the word ‘can’t.’ It’s absurd. How does one navigate this world as a Black, brown, queer, or plus-sized individual? You just do. Disregard those who try to hold you back.”

“Buteau-ful Mind” serves as the crowning achievement following Buteau’s long journey in comedy: For nearly 20 years, she tirelessly worked her way through the New York stand-up scene, performing to small audiences at venues like Union Hall, Littlefield, and The Slipper Room.

“You don’t get to Radio City without countless hours of performing in smaller venues,” she explains. “The affection you have for those 30 people is the same that resonates with an audience of 6,000. But it’s crucial to advocate for yourself and others. In my bar show days, I struggled to even receive a drink ticket. Now, I clearly express my needs and how I want my audience to feel.”

Similar to her 2020 special “Welcome to Buteautopia,” her new show humorously tackles themes like marriage, parenting, and cannabis. However, Buteau also infuses her stand-up with a message of inclusivity, expressing her desire for everyone to feel “safe, secure,” and “entertained.” In a notable moment, she sharply critiques comedian Dave Chappelle for his recent homophobic and transphobic remarks.

“I’m not suggesting you cannot express your thoughts – I’m just asking, ‘Can you make it humorous?’ Because it doesn’t come off as funny,” she points out. “You’re causing harm and making it perilous. And it’s not just about Chappelle – it’s part of a societal trend that I struggle to comprehend. When people claim, ‘We can’t do what we used to do,’ I have to remind them: Slavery was once legal. Sometimes we need to progress, and I understand it might be uncomfortable, but it’s time to adapt.”

Michelle Buteau turned to standup after 9/11: ‘I might as well live’

Having grown up in New Jersey with Caribbean parents, Buteau didn’t initially envision a career in comedy. She aimed to become an entertainment journalist and launched her professional journey as a news producer at NBC in New York.

“For some time, my colleagues would say, ‘You’re so amusing! You should try standup,’” Buteau recalls. “I’ve always claimed I was too attractive for a career behind the editing desk.”

“A Black person with freckles? Seriously? Give me a break!”

While she enjoyed engaging with new people in her work, the task of making obituary reels and reporting on tough news was draining for her. Just three days after the September 11 attacks in 2001, she took to the stage for her first stand-up performance.

“As I was editing all this sad material, I thought to myself, ‘There’s so much death around. I might as well embrace life,’” reflects Buteau. “It might sound silly, but comedy truly rescued me in many ways. It helped me discover my voice and learn to advocate for myself and for others.”

For many years, Buteau honed her skills in what she describes as “really unfortunate gigs on the road.” (“I thought to myself, ‘Is this dog food I’m eating? Do they even want me here? Everyone seems to be ignoring me.’”) Meanwhile, she was consistently landing small roles in films alongside stars like Kristen Stewart (“Happiest Season”) and Jennifer Lopez (“Marry Me”). Eventually, she made her way to a leading role in Netflix’s “Survival of the Thickest,” a project she created and produced. The comedy series, inspired by her 2020 book, is set to return for a second season in the upcoming year.

“Michelle has dedicated 23 years to reach this point,” praises Ilana Glazer, who acted alongside Buteau in last year’s “Babes.” “People are finally noticing her talents, and it’s well-deserved because she is irresistibly charming and hilarious. The energy she exudes is boundless, and witnessing her achievements is incredibly satisfying.”

As the new year approaches, Buteau is focused on manifesting “more”: more financial success, more projects, and more opportunities for her twins, Hazel and Otis, whom she welcomed through surrogacy in 2019. (“I want the best for them,” she shares. “I want them to understand that they’re always learning, never losing.”) She attributes her drive to her partner of 14 years, photographer Gijs van der Most, who motivates her to aim higher.

“I know it sounds cliché, but he has made me believe that anything is achievable,” Buteau confesses. “Everything changed for me when I found someone who truly understood my potential. And as I grow older, I want to ensure I’ve done all I can to pursue my happiness. I often look around and wonder why we should settle for less. We shouldn’t do that.

“Unless it’s airline food. In that case, there’s no choice.”