Nicole Byer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nicole Byer
Byer in 2022
Born	(1986-08-29) August 29, 1986 (age 38) Middletown Township, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation	comedian actress television host podcaster
Years active	2009–present
Known for	Nailed It! Loosely Exactly Nicole Girl Code Why Won't You Date Me?

Nicole Byer (born August 29, 1986) is a talented American comedian, actress, and TV host. She is widely known for hosting the Netflix reality baking show Nailed It!, which started in 2018. For her work on Nailed It!, she has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award four times.

Nicole Byer first became well-known for her appearances on the commentary series Girl Code (2013). She also starred in the comedy series Loosely Exactly Nicole (2016–2018), which was inspired by her own life. She has appeared in many popular TV shows like 30 Rock (2012), Family Guy (2016), The Good Place (2019), Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2019–2021), and The Simpsons (2019). Nicole has also acted in films such as Other People (2016) and Valley Girl (2020). In 2021, she began co-hosting Wipeout with John Cena.

Byer hosts several podcasts, including Why Won't You Date Me?, Best Friends (with Sasheer Zamata), and Newcomers. Her comedy special, Nicole Byer: ... (Big Beautiful Weirdo), was released on Netflix in December 2021 and earned her an Emmy nomination for writing.

Nicole Byer's Early Life

Nicole Byer was born and grew up in New Jersey. She moved to New York City in the early 2000s. There, she worked as a waitress. She shared that this job led her to study improv comedy. Her parents passed away when she was young, which was a difficult time for her. Nicole has said that comedy helped her cope with these losses, giving her a way to escape and express herself.

She started taking classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade in June 2008, learning improv and sketch comedy. She began her stand-up comedy career in 2013. Nicole also graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

Nicole Byer's Career Highlights

Nicole Byer travels across the United States performing stand-up comedy. She also regularly performs improv with the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles.

TV Shows and Hosting

Byer started appearing on MTV's Girl Code in 2013. In 2014, she hosted the first season of Are You the One? The Aftermatch Live. In 2016, she had roles in several TV shows. She was a regular on the Fox sketch comedy show Party Over Here. Critics praised her as a funny and reliable commentator on Girl Code. Early in her career, Nicole learned to do her own makeup and hair for performances because many on-set artists weren't prepared to work with her skin tone and hair type.

She has also made guest appearances on shows like BoJack Horseman, Transparent, and Bob's Burgers. She was a guest judge on the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars.

Hosting Nailed It!

Since March 2018, Nicole Byer has been the host of the Netflix baking competition Nailed It!. She hosts alongside head judge and chocolatier Jacques Torres. On the show, three home bakers who aren't very good at baking try to recreate difficult pastries. The winner gets a $10,000 prize. Nicole has been nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Host four times (2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023). She is the first Black woman to be nominated in this category.

The show is known for its fun, family-friendly comedy. Even though Nicole's stand-up comedy can be more adult, her comments on Nailed It! are edited to keep the show light and suitable for all ages. An entire season of the show is filmed in just 13 days.

Starring in Loosely Exactly Nicole

In 2016, MTV launched Loosely Exactly Nicole. This scripted comedy show was written by and starred Nicole Byer, and it was based on her real-life experiences. The show explored her journey as a Black actress trying to succeed in Hollywood. It first aired on MTV and was later picked up by Facebook Watch for a second season.

Co-hosting Wipeout

Since 2023, Nicole Byer has been the co-host of Wipeout with John Cena. The show airs on TBS.

Podcasts and Audio Shows

Nicole Byer hosts four podcasts: Why Won't You Date Me?, Best Friends!, 90 Day Bae, and Newcomers.

Why Won't You Date Me?

In December 2017, Byer started her weekly podcast Why Won't You Date Me? on the HeadGum network. In each episode, Nicole talks with a guest, often another comedian. They discuss her experiences with being single. At the end of each show, she asks the guest if they would date her. The show has been called "bold" and "refreshing" by critics.

Best Friends!

In 2019, Nicole Byer and her close friend Sasheer Zamata launched the podcast Best Friends on the Earwolf network. This weekly podcast explores the meaning of friendship. In the same year, Byer also became a co-host for Drag Her, a recap podcast about RuPaul's Drag Race, and 90 Day Bae, a recap podcast about 90 Day Fiance.

Newcomers

In 2020, Byer started another weekly podcast called Newcomers on the HeadGum network. On this podcast, she and her friend Lauren Lapkus watch famous film series for the first time. They share their thoughts as "newcomers" to these movies. Each episode features a guest who provides more information about the films.

Past seasons have covered the Star Wars franchise, The Lord of the Rings, and the Fast & Furious franchise. The fifth season explored movies from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the sixth season features Nicole and Lauren watching various Batman films.

Nicole Byer's Book

Her first book, #VERYFAT #VERYBRAVE: The Fat Girl's Guide to Being #Brave and Not a Dejected, Melancholy, Down-in-the-Dumps Weeping Fat Girl in a Bikini, was released in 2020. The book includes over 100 photos of Byer in bikinis. Much of the book's humor comes from the captions. Nicole explained that she wrote the book to share her bikini collection and to help others feel brave by loving their bodies as they are. The title started as a joke hashtag on Instagram.

Other Creative Work

In 2013, Byer and Sasheer Zamata created a web series called Pursuit of... which was produced by Upright Citizens Brigade. In 2018, she appeared in a Smirnoff advertisement with actor Ted Danson.

Nicole Byer's Comedic Style

Nicole Byer's comedy is often described as outspoken, funny, and relatable. She is known for her confident and charming style. She is not afraid to be silly and uses broad comedy.

Nicole has mentioned that Whoopi Goldberg, Tina Turner, and Mo'Nique were some of her early inspirations in comedy.

Nicole Byer's Personal Life

Nicole Byer is a strong supporter of body positivity. She believes that you should accept and love the body you have. She says that everyone is beautiful in their own way.

She lives in Los Angeles with her two rescue dogs, Clyde and Charlie. Nicole was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as an adult.

Filmography

Films

Nicole Byer has appeared in many films, lending her voice and acting talents to various characters.

Television Shows

Nicole Byer has had many roles in television, from guest appearances to main characters and hosts.

Podcasts

Nicole Byer has been a guest or host on many podcasts. Here are some of her notable appearances and her own shows.

Awards and Nominations

Nicole Byer has been recognized for her work, especially for hosting Nailed It!.