Grace Helbig Makes a Comedic Comeback After Battling Breast Cancer
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/grace-helbig-1-101525-93b2b448e85143eb82f759f4949745be.jpg)
Grace Helbig, the renowned comedian and YouTube sensation, has made a triumphant return to live comedy following a challenging and life-changing battle with breast cancer. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Helbig opens up about her 17-year YouTube career, her new live show titled ‘Let Me Get This Off My Chest’, and how the support of her friend Mamrie Hart and husband Elliott Morgan helped her navigate through the difficult journey.
Following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2023, Helbig underwent rigorous treatment including chemotherapy, a lumpectomy, radiation, and hormone therapy. After successfully beating the disease and entering remission, she decided to share her experience through a one-woman live show, which she describes as a deeply vulnerable and creative endeavor that has reignited her passion for comedy.
Helbig’s new show, ‘Let Me Get This Off My Chest’, delves into her journey from the highs of her YouTube career to the lows of burnout, offering fans a more intimate and raw look at her life. This marks a departure from her usual lighthearted content, showcasing a new depth and sincerity in her comedic style.
While recounting her early days on YouTube and the unplanned success that followed, Helbig reflects on the importance of comedy in her life, noting that it was always a part of her, even before her online fame. Despite initially not planning for YouTube to be her career path, Helbig found a sense of community and connection through the platform, which fueled her creativity and brought her closer to her audience.
Throughout her career, Helbig has ventured beyond the realms of the internet, starring in films, hosting TV shows, and touring the world with fellow comedians. However, it was her podcast with Mamrie Hart, ‘This Might Get Weird’, that allowed her to share her breast cancer diagnosis with her fans. Despite initial hesitation, Helbig chose to go public with her journey, receiving overwhelming support and gratitude from her audience.
Supported by her husband Elliott Morgan, Helbig found humor and resilience in the face of adversity, turning her cancer journey into a comedic narrative with ‘Let Me Get This Off My Chest’. The show combines heart and humor, offering audiences a chance to explore serious topics in a light-hearted manner, while also allowing Helbig to process her own experiences through laughter.
After a successful run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Helbig is now taking ‘Let Me Get This Off My Chest’ on a tour across North America, reconnecting with her fans and exploring new avenues for her comedy. As she navigates her return to YouTube, Helbig embraces the challenge of reinventing her content and finding joy in creating once again.
While the experience of battling breast cancer has been transformative for Helbig, she looks forward to a future filled with more laughter and light-hearted content, knowing that she has the strength and resilience to tackle any obstacle that comes her way. As she continues to inspire and entertain audiences with her unique blend of comedy and vulnerability, Grace Helbig proves that laughter truly is the best medicine, even in the face of adversity.