If you've watched television or movies in the past year, you've seen Michelle Buteau. With scene-stealing roles in Always Be My Maybe, First Wives Club, Someone Great, Russian Doll, and Tales of the City; a breakthrough stand-up special on Netflix and two podcasts (Late Night Whenever and Adulting), Michelle's star is on the rise. You'd be forgiven for thinking the road to success--or adulthood or financial stability or self-acceptance or marriage or motherhood--has been easy; but you'd be wrong.

Now, in Survival of the Thickest, Michelle reflects on growing up Caribbean and thick in New Jersey and what it feels like to have a full heart, tight jeans, and stardom finally in sight.