What we realized final night time on the Chicago Humanities Fest

Phoebe Robinson hadn’t deliberate on writing a second e book so quickly. Its debut in 2016, You may’t contact my hair, was a bestseller and a turning level in his profession. Shortly after her e book took off, HBO shot Two drug queens, the podcast she co-hosts with Every day present alum Jessica Williams, in 4 phases. She starred within the Netflix film Ibiza and was just lately a author on Portlandiathe final season.
She had arrived. Similar to Donald Trump.
The 2016 election put the 34-year-old comic and actress into motion, culminating in her new e book, Every little thing is trash, however all the things is ok. She learn excerpts at Thalia Corridor on Monday night time on the ultimate leg of her e book tour. The hour-long occasion was partly uplifting, partly introspective and unabashedly actual, with Robinson sharing a real vulnerability.
“Whereas Jess and I had the primary podcast on the planet,” Robinson mentioned, “I used to be, like, horribly broke.” All these Portlandia checks? They went straight to paying off pupil loans.
Even in these “trashy moments,” Robinson turned to humor. Working example: An try to keep away from a debt collector virtually made her miss the decision of her life with Oprah, which resulted in a hilarious voicemail that Robinson shared on stage. The 2 ladies just lately met and Robinson described a hug with Oprah “like Black Historical past Month by no means ends.”
On the finish of the night time, as Robinson answered questions from the group, a girl was delivered to tears on the event of chatting with him. Much like Oprah, Robinson rushed over to present her a hug, however in traditional Dope Queen trend, she turned the poignant second into comedy, crossing the stage on her abdomen for the hug.
“I simply wish to say that Oprah does not do this. She does not soiled her garments for anybody,” Robinson joked. “I am a Nordstrom Rack model of Oprah.”