Steph Tolev on Her Netflix Special, Social Media Trolls, and Bar Fights

Steph Tolev's Netflix Special "Filth Queen"

• 👑 Steph Tolev discusses her first Netflix special, "Filth Queen," noting that it captures her authentic self without being "sanitized."
• 💰 Despite the prestige of a Netflix special, she clarifies that there is no immediate financial gain, and the production cost was significant.
• 🤝 Bill Burr was involved in producing the special, stemming from a deal with All Things Comedy.

Social Media and Public Perception

• 📱 Tolev describes the embarrassment of filming content in public, contrasting the reactions in New York versus Los Angeles.
• 📸 A viral mermaid video from 12 years ago unexpectedly gained 12 million views, which she finds amusing given its absurdity.
• 😠 She experiences significant trolling online, particularly from men who react aggressively to her perceived confidence and directness.
• 👃 Tolev highlights a specific trend of men criticizing her nose, often in response to her appearance in photoshoots or online content.

Personal Experiences and Comedy Influences

• 🏋️‍♀️ To prepare for her special, Tolev underwent a rigorous four-month diet and workout regimen, meticulously weighing food and avoiding oil to achieve a specific physique.
• 🎤 She discusses the pressure to avoid being perceived as fat, ugly, or unfunny, using her physical transformation as a way to combat potential criticism.
• 💥 Tolev recounts a wild bar brawl in Toronto where she punched a girl she mistakenly thought stole her phone, leading to a chaotic but ultimately harmless fight.
• 🚗 Her first car was a Maroon Plymouth Acclaim, a memory tied to her grandfather's passing.
• 🇨🇦 As a Canadian, she expresses concern about comedians facing scrutiny at the US border regarding their social media content, particularly political views.

Comedy Career and Performance Style

• 🎭 Tolev discusses the discomfort of performing in public and the evolution of her online content, moving from sketch and improv roots to stand-up clips.
• 👠 She adopted the jumpsuit as a stage outfit for comfort and practicality, noting its growing popularity among female comedians.
• 🎶 The opening of her special features a film segment with a dummy thrown over Fenway Park, inspired by British comedy and children's television.
• 🐶 A particularly shocking story from her special involves a man who confessed to killing his dog by overexerting it on a hike, a detail that deeply disturbed Tolev due to her love for animals.
• 🎤 She shares experiences with audience members saying "no" during her sets, finding it unsettling and unusual.
• 👯‍♀️ Tolev reflects on her childhood in Canada, influenced by British comedy and competitive Highland dancing, which instilled a strong performance background.
• 🚫 She recounts an instance where an audience member explicitly said "no" to her, causing discomfort and leading her to end her set early.

Touring and Future Plans

• ✈️ Tolev is planning a vacation to Barcelona and has a significant tour scheduled from September to January.
• 🎤 She emphasizes the importance of having a strong opening act, often touring with her boyfriend or close friend, to ensure a high-quality show for the audience.
• 😨 She shares unsettling experiences with creepy men lingering after shows, highlighting the need for security and the comfort of having her boyfriend present.
• 💡 Tolev believes that negative reactions and complaints can indicate that her content is effective and reaching people.