Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias and the Art of Mentoring | What Now? with Trevor Noah Podcast

are you living out here now? You're. Oh, I'm living nowhere. Living? No way. I'm a nomad, Dave. You know what's funny is I sold my house. I don't have an actual residence. Oh, really? Yeah. My sole living. They broke into it, and I don't. I didn't spend enough time in it. You know what? I don't need it. Is there anything they didn't didn't take that you hoped they would take? Oh, for the sake of, you know, like, for me, I remember when I used to have Crocs. Like, back in the day. But then my house got robbed. Oh, they stole everything. All my clothes, all my shoes, everything.

And then my friends, we were all. Then we're like, oh, the house got robbed. The house got up. We're going to everyone's room because I live with my friends. And then my friend was like, oh, they left your Crocs. Well, at least we know they had taste. And I was like, yeah. Insult to injury. Ouch. And this is what now. with Trevor Noah.

Welcome to the podcast. I'm thank you, Gabriel Iglesias. Every time I, I'm going to have a conversation with somebody. I know personally and intimately. I have to think about how I would introduce that person to my audience. I think you just did it. Yeah, but I think it's good. I think there's two things that I. That I honed in on that I'd love to talk about. in this conversation, particularly, obviously the comedy and the life and the stories we share. And just, you know, you know, how much of an amazing person you are. But but that there's two big things. that I haven't heard many people speak to you about.

One is mentorship. And the other one is business acumen. And I mean raw business acumen. But maybe I'll give a bit of I'll give a bit of backstory, and you're going to have to fill in some of the backstory, by the way, for how we met. First of all, you know, I have a high school education, so what the hell is acumen? Acumen is good. Give me. Give me haven away. It's almost sounds like Spanish.

I have an idea of what it means. Como se dice? Acumen. You. I commend you, man. You have. You have a knack. Come on, man. I like how did we meet? I actually don't know the full story of this. How did we. Well, I was in Bakersfield doing a show. I remember vividly I was in Bakersfield doing a show. Yeah. And at the end of the night, I was in my hotel room, and I'm flipping through, flipping through, you know, channels. And I came across the Tonight Show. Okay. And I saw Jay, and Jay was introducing. that funny comedian from South Africa.

You know, when you came out there, you came out there and I was like, who is this person? They are freaking amazing. You so talented. You're you're charisma, your energy, the way that you presented yourself. I'm like, this dude is hysterical. Thank you. I'm like, clearly he is way too comfortable, way too confident, way too smiley. I'm like, no, this dude is like, he's already white to smiley. Yeah. Yeah. It caught my attention right away. How, the level that you were already at. And so I went online to see where you were going to be performing,

and I saw that you were going to be at the, Improv in Irvine. And I'm like, oh, my God. You know, I was, you know, I lived I lived by there. And so I said, I'm gonna go check them out. And so then I went out there to go see your show, and I'm in line. with all these South Africans and all these girls, these white girls with South African flags. And they're like, we're here for Trevor. And I'm like, this dude already has a following. Of course he's famous. I knew it. This guy wasn't just some nobody. He showed up there and he already had a following. And so I saw your show the full hour, not five minutes.

And so afterwards, that's when I walked up to you. And you had your. you had your little, South African posse right there in the comics and stuff. And I just walked up and you recognized me, and you're like, oh my God, hey. And I'm like, hey! And I said, so I'll tell the story from this book. Okay. So, so from my perspective, this, this, this is how it happened. By the way, your whole story. is the exact same story as many of my stories, by the way, which I. It's amazing how they intentionally follow you on television. And then we waited. I saw you on, And I was like, he smiles so much.

And then I researched you online. and I was like, this is where he will be. And I came. Then I was, oh my God. I was like, oh, you fucker. I waited for you after the show, Trevor. And there you were. There you were. but I so from my perspective, first of all, I didn't know you were there. I was on stage. I do the show as normal. Irvine, California is one of the few places. where I was able to get people to buy. enough tickets to fill out a club, right? Nobody knew me in America. Nobody. And. And so I do the show.

And at the end, they go, hey, the comedian here, Gabriel Iglesias, wants to chat to you. I'm like, Gabriel. I'm like, it's not the singer. they're like, no, that's Julio Iglesias. I'm like, oh, shit. Okay, wait. Gabriel. I'm like, Who's Gabriel? Because I'm terrible with names. And as soon as I see you, I'm like, oh, shit, the guy, the guy, the. And you must remember for me, it's so weird because I obviously I come from South Africa. We don't bump into people who you've seen on TV, who. you've seen on like any competition shows or any big shows or anything.

I knew you, I was like, this is the guy. So I come over to you. and it's funny, you start with my South African posse. because you were with like, it seemed like, like a little. It was sort of like a little Mexican Mafia vibe. Nice. Because you give off, like, Godfather vibes. I'm like, I don't know if you've ever noticed this about you. You have like, a but it's like a kind. You have like a kind vibe. Nobody gets whacked. No no no no no no no no, nobody gets whacked. But it's because there's an understanding, you know what I mean? It's an understanding. It's like, yo, you know, you don't want to get fluffy angry.

You've got like this and it's a and everyone around. you has like a really peaceful but protective demeanor, you know? And so, you waited for me afterwards and it's just a small little crew. and you're like, hey, how you doing, man? And I remember how kind you were. And I was just like, oh, this is great. I can't believe, you know, I think every comic has this every comedian. is deeply grateful and feel seen. when another comedian watches their full sets. I remember I was shocked, like, why are you here?

And you're like, I came to the show. you didn't, like, ask me for tickets, I didn't know you. And then you said the sweetest thing a human being has ever said to me. You said, hey, man, I know that you're a big deal where you're from. But I wanted to. I wanted to offer you an opportunity. I want you to come on the road with me. And you said. And you said, please don't be offended. I'm not saying you should be my opening act. I'm not. I'm not saying any of that. I know you big in South Africa, but I really think it would be good for you. to come out on the road with me, because I could expose you.

to audiences who you would have otherwise never gotten to, and who I think will love you, you like. I think a lot of people in my audience would love you. And I remember thinking to myself, I was like, who is this person? Do you know, I mean, who is this Hispanic Santa Claus? I said yes to you. I didn't know what I was getting into. I came on the road with you. and I was like, I've never seen that many like. But when I say fans, I don't mean.

I don't mean people who have come to the show. I don't mean people who are watching you. I mean fans. And that's maybe, you know, my first question about, like, your business acumen, what do you think you did right. to build an environment where you don't you don't just have. you don't just have people who like, like your comedy. You have people who by your face, you know, on those little. the little dolls that have the bobble head things and you, you have people who buy like plushies of you, and you have people who buy your t shirts.

But I want to know if you intended that from the beginning. And then also, how did you even begin that journey with people? Because there was some point when nobody knew your comedy. But now when you're filling up like a Dodger Stadium, what what happened in between? Where did this where did this begin? I think it was, you know, to say that I had a plan to design this almost. sounds like maniacal and evil, like it was my plan all along. No, I. it was one of those things where I was just grateful.

that people would come to the shows. Yeah. And I would always thank them. And I would always say, hey, if you liked the show, tell somebody about it, you know, and, you know, that's the word of mouth is the best thing. You guys, if you enjoy what I wear, what I'm doing, please share, please talk about it. And then after the shows I would just go outside. And if anybody wants to come by and say hi, you know, I made it. so that people knew that I was somebody they could come up to. Yeah, yeah. I wasn't putting this divide in between where it's like, no, my show's over now. You go home, I take a check and I go buy a car. Yeah, yeah. By not making people.

ever feel like I was above them or better than them, it's just, I'm this lucky kid from the same area that they're they're driving from. I'm like, hey, I'll see you guys on the 4 or 5. You know, I'm the guy where I'm like, hey, if you see me in a line at a Jack in the box. and you like my show, let me cut. And they're like, okay, go ahead, you know, so. I'm somebody you can run into by the bathrooms. And I get people always asking, can I hug you or can I feed you? And I'm like, yeah, this is not the norm, you know? So to say it was a plan I it was not a plan. It was just it was just me,

welcoming the audience and trying to be cool with everybody. And it wasn't until years later where it just got so out of control, where you had. to start putting things in place so that you didn't find yourself. Because I came really close to getting kidnaped a couple times. I now to save the jokes. but yeah, people would just try to see I didn't have a joke. I know there's something in the jokes. People are like, really? Kidnap? Yeah. Come on. They. But, Yeah, well, it wasn't a plan. It was just, you know, let me just let me just treat my audience. the way I feel like I would want to be treated.

Like when I go to a concert, I look to see how the artist welcomes their audience. There's some, like, singers that will just start singing. Yeah, and they want to go. Yeah. Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram. There's no. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the show. Thank you for being here. We're going to have a fun time. Yeah. It's great. I got so-and-so working on sax. I got so-and-so on drums. We were talking about being here tonight. Little things like that goes so far, and people don't want to break. that wall. They're afraid of engaging for some reason, and I think that's a mistake.

I think a lot of artists would go so much further by bringing audiences. Then all it takes. is looking at someone smiling, even if they're smiling too much. I do it too. smiley. Recognize smiley. but you. But you know what? I think it is excellent. I think it's what you just said. You know, it's a fear. And not not necessarily a bad fear. I. I don't take for granted that there are two types of performers. I think there are performers. who are. trying to get into themselves, and the performers. who are trying to get out of themselves.

Do you know what I mean? I've seen this with comedians as well. So there are some performers who get on stage, and in order. for them to hit the marks that they need to hit on that stage, they can't be themselves. They can't be Gabriel, they can't be Trevor, and they don't want to be that person. So they've got to transform into this other being. Like, I'm sure you've met tons of comedians. who can't go on stage sober, have to get in the zone. Yeah, yeah, I need to get into my space. Yeah. You know, but I think it's. I think it's a protection thing where they go. If you don't laugh at this joke that Gabriel has told,

then Gabriel has failed. But if it's like El Matador who told a joke. and then the joke doesn't land well, what would not the door do? Do you know what I mean? It's like it's just the. It's the protection. Yeah, it is, it is completely. And you, you have a vulnerability to you. that that that really is unique, honestly. Like where what do you think you got that from? Like what were your first experiences in life. that allowed you to like open yourself up in that way?

I think the fact that I've always wanted acceptance. and I've been used to not being accepted, it's just been one of those like, you know, I was very much the, the kid that didn't have very many friends. I was always overweight, I always I had really bad teeth, I had acne, and for somebody. who was not accepted, I was never picked in sports. I was always, you know, anytime people would get together for groups, I wouldn't even get picked for group. So it's like, really, I can't you you know, this has nothing to do with know being physical. And I can't even get picked for the science team. or get picked for this or that. So it's like I did not fit the entertainer's mold.

but I was drawn to comedy. I loved watching Eddie Murphy. I loved watching Saturday Night Live. I loved. hearing the laughter because to me the laughter was acceptance. Yeah. The one thing I, I've realized as I've become an adult is. I was I was like awkward because I was just observing people. And I don't know, like, you seem very affable now. You are very affable now, why were you like that as a kid. as well? I feel like I was very much the same as now, where. when you've seen me off stage, it's like I'm, I am.

not the loudest person in the room, you know? Nor am I trying to be the loudest person in the room. So as a kid, I think that I just didn't get the opportunity. to connect with people, okay? And I'm not. I'm not someone who goes out of their way to try to insert themselves. I would rather just see that there's an organic opportunity. to join a conversation or to to get to talk to people. but I'm not trying to go out of my way. So if that was awkward, maybe because I was quiet. Yeah, I wasn't outspoken.

But, as far as socially, like when someone starts. talking to me, it's like, all right, let's go. You know what I mean? And so I still have a couple of friends from my childhood. that remember me from back. then, and I value and I cherish them just because it's like, man, that's my only, like, grounding, too, before all this happened. Yeah, you know what I mean. And so any time I have a question about, hey, man, am I. am I act in a certain way or am I doing something different or my. is my view on this messed up because they'll be real with me, and they're not afraid to tell me exactly what they see.

And I think it's important to have a connection to the past like that. Okay, but then what do you what do you want to lose of the past? You know, I think it's important for poverty, man. Sharing a bathroom. And. Fuck that. but you know what I mean. There are some things. we hold from the past that, you know, like, I'm always careful. People will say you just the way you've always been or you've changed.

And I always go, what? What is the way I've always been that you're holding on to? What is the change that you wish I'd maintained? Some things are good to hold on to. And some things are good to change. Are there things that you don't do that you used to do. when you were younger that you're glad you let go of? I don't think that I've changed too much things from the past that I. I definitely would want to let go is the small thinking, the small like, oh, it's it's the you know, the thing is only this big versus. thinking globally. Right. So I was very much only thinking this much back then,

and I didn't have the ability to see outside of that when I was younger. Whereas now it's like. it's endless, you know, you can make it as big as you want. or keep it as small as you want. But the problem is, the bigger something gets, the. the more difficult it is to manage. And having control over yourself and your career and your surroundings. It is really hard when the circle gets really big. Yeah, and unfortunately for me, that circle did get too big. at one point where I did start to lose control and I couldn't see.

and the wheels were turning and I didn't know who was making a turn. Right. And so it's kind of like, all right, you know, you say you want the the big pie. Well, when you get it, see what happens. You really made it a big pie, man. You like. There are few people I know of in the world. who have the footprint that that you have with your. with your comedy, with your, with the way you've made people feel, which is, I think, crucial. So I've been lucky enough. to travel all over the world for comedy and otherwise.

And I am always, always, always, always impressed. at how many places I go to where they they know you. What's interesting is what they feel about you and how they feel. It's I want to know when you decide and if it was an act of choice, to take many of the things. that ostracize you at a young age and turn them into the tool. that made you bring people to you and bring people together. You know, like so many people grew up being teased about their face,

their weight, their vibe, their voice, their everything. Very few people have taken that call, crushed it. into a diamond and shared it with everybody around the world. Was there like a conscious moment where you did that, and how did you ensure that the audience. was laughing with you and not at you? I want to. say about four years into it, because my whole act in the. beginning, when I first started doing standup was. I was just doing characters and impressions and everything was.

a situation with cartoons or, or this character. So it's like it was nothing to do with me. it was like, he's entertaining. He can do all these characters voices and sound. effects and he's and he's painting pictures, but it's. You don't really know anything about the guy. Yeah. And I remember I did a Comedy Central, show called Premium Blend, and I did a bit about being at a nightclub. and how I only wanted to dance with big girls, because if I'm dancing with. a big girl, then we would get tired at the same time.

And I remember it was the first bit that I put out there like that. where it's like, wow, that was actually personal. Yeah. You know, and for some reason, like it just it started with that one bit. and then it just started expanding from there. But you know, of course there's, there's, there's self-deprecating. and then there's just like, hey, man, look, this is just me. And either you know, your cool with that. or you're not cool with it, I'm going to be good either way. Yeah. You know, and so, I don't know, I think it was just that whole. I don't care, call me whatever you want.

You know, I've already gone through years of this as a kid. You can't faze me now. So it's like, whatever. And then the more the more shows I would do and the more laughter. And afterwards it's like, okay, well, if I'm this big joke and people just want to make fun or laugh at me, why would you want to talk to me after the show? Why would you want to get in line for a photo? I'm wearing freaking New Balance with a stain on it right now. I got a hoodie that I'm wearing. It's not fashionable, but it keeps me warm. It fits, you know, by by maintaining certain things. and not letting the business turn me into something else.

that I think I did have to work on, because you can get consumed. really quick. I wish I could make everybody happy, but you can't. but I just think it's one of those people understand. and they relate to to people who have flaws. Someone who's not trying to pretend to be perfect. Yeah. We're going to continue this conversation. right after this short break. And what of the business I want to turn you into in the beginning?

Oh, dude, man. Well, when the money starts coming in. All right, everybody who. goes from having a certain amount to all of a sudden warm overnight, the money quadruples and you're like, what the. So of course, for me, out the gate, man, I bought two Hummers. I went from living and I was still living in an apartment, so. Yeah, the money will mess with you. Yes. I had two Hummers while coming in. Different colors. Different colors. Okay, good. Yeah. Different colors.

But I was living in an apartment. Oh, man. Yeah. So I just started doing stuff like that, putting TVs and PlayStations. in the car, and I'm like, what the hell am I doing? But at the time I'm like, how cool is this? Yeah, I was just so excited. I'd never seen money like that before. And so, yeah, I did a lot of a lot of stuff. But you know what I love? But you know what I loved about your vibe? So. So there are two things that I found impressive. Is that like one just personally on the bus, what I loved. about rolling with you on your tour bus was how diverse the people were.

The like the the schools of thought were. I mean, I would be having fights. about Republican politics, Democratic politics. I remember your bus was the first time. I realized that this was even like a thing was, you know what I mean? Because where I come from, there is no just like strict delineation. It isn't your Republican, your Democrat. We don't have that. And I always say to people, there's my opinion. I always say to people, I think one of the worst things that's happened in America. is that it's become Democrat, Republican, blue, red, because it makes it that people have chosen a side or a thing.

where before they engage in the topic. Whereas in South Africa and in many other places, we just fight about each topic. and you find like people agree on different things. and people disagree on different things, but you find coalition wins and moments that connect you. And I love that. On your bus, for instance, we used to have arguments for days. You would just sit in the corner laughing, by the way, which I love. Yeah, you were the best audience member. and you were just like asked like a really like it wasn't incendiary, but you'd ask a question, you'd be like, but Trevor, what about this? Or you'd be like, but Rick, what about that? And it would spark a whole conversation.

But I do love that your environment encouraged that. And what I found particularly interesting was. you, as Gabriel have said, I don't engage in politics, etc. but you not once, not once said to me, Hey, Trevor, don't talk about certain things on stage, not even. And I mean, there's not even one time when you came to me, I said, hey, man, please don't say that. That thing you said about slavery or hey, that. No, you gave me the full leeway you gave me. And maybe that goes into into like, the mentorship of it all.

Anybody who asks me and. thousands of people anywhere they go like, oh, who, who made your career? And I go, guys, I couldn't have gotten you see me on The Daily Show. So I'm like, none of that would have happened without Gabriel Iglesias. Oh come on. No, no, no, I'm telling you, you know why? Because you genuinely one of the greatest gifts you gave me. was you put me in front of audiences that I never. otherwise would have been put in front of. And the still comedians today who I know of, who don't go to the markets. You took me to places where people exist in America,

but I learned thanks to you, they feel like they don't exist. Do you know what I'm saying? Nobody comes and does a show. Nobody even considers them politically. because they don't really shift a needle in either direction. They just like these forgotten places in, in America. And you, you put me there. So let's talk a little bit about about mentorship in that way. You were mentoring me. You were teaching me about merchandise. You were teaching me about comedy, about sets, about, in fact, here's a story. The only time.

man, man, food. We're going to talk about food. Oh my God. Yeah, yeah, yeah. The the. the only time you you told me. something instructive where you said, don't do that, I'll do that was. I was doing a set and, we, you know, you on stage. You're on. You're going from one show to the next. And I have a whole host of men. You have a bunch of material, but I've been doing the same set with you on the road I've been doing.

And so at some point I was like, man, let me switch it up. I've been doing the same jokes. Let me let me switch this thing up. And I had a great set. And I walk off stage and fluffy standing there almost like a. not angry, but let's just like a disappointed. father or uncle, you know, and you would just like you're like, hey, you're like, yo, what happened to the joke? And I'm like, what do you like? You didn't do not mean. And I had this joke, you know, now. mean and was, you know, I did it like it will on a.

on Leno and I was a great joke and I loved it, but I was like, yeah, I was like, I don't need to do it. And you're like, no, these people haven't seen that joke. I was like, yeah, but it's fine. You're like, no, you need to let these people see that joke. And I was like, no, I was like, the time and and you're like, hey. And you looked at me. It was like a coach in a basketball movie. And you looked at me. You like Denzel was somebody one of those motivational. And you looked at me and you were like, hey, you remember something? These people weren't with us yesterday, and they weren't. with us the night before, and they won't be with us tomorrow.

You might be getting sick of these jokes, but they're not sick of them. You go out there and you do it like it's the first time ever, he said. Those people deserve. I mean, you got there and you give them, not me. And I was like, I can't go back out there. I'm gonna look like an idiot. I've just got off stage. I'll do it tomorrow. And you're like, no. They're like, yo, man, he forgot to tell you a joke. So he's going to come back on stage and I'm like, I can't come back. What is going on right now? I can come back. And you were like, you go out there and you show them what you made of. You give them their show. And then I came back on stage like, this is the most awkward experience I've ever had in my life.

No opening act has ever had an uncle. I'm willing to bet money, no opening act. And I went out and I did the joke, and it got a standing ovation. And I came back and you just hugged me, and you were like, that's what I'm talking about. So, like, talk me through this. Why do you have comedians on your show. who don't perform your style of comedy, who may not. even, like, compliment. your style of comedy and could at times like you don't.

surprise your audience? Why would you do that? I thought you were funny. I thought you were very funny. And and the show. You added more to the show. You were so different. You're so unique. Whenever I put on shows, I look at the entire show as a whole. I don't just look at my performance, I look at what's the fan experience. Are people going to enjoy it from beginning, middle, end, or are they just sitting there waiting? You know, so I did have a lot of comics on the show. I mean, at the time, I think with yours, you, Rick Gutierrez, Alfred Roberts, Martine, Sean Latham.

Yeah, yeah. And then, of course, and then there were people who rotated in between. Yeah. So I was already. Most comics only have one guy. Yeah. You know, maybe two. The only other person that I know. that had more people on their show was Kevin Hart. And I know this because I went to a show one time, like, like, wow. There's a lot there's a lot. of people on the show, but, yeah, no, I, I enjoyed what you did. And, you know, it's funny. that you brought up the not mean, but because we we love that.

joke so much that your nickname, my nickname became nickname Nami. Yeah. So, Martin, when he told me today. because I was going to bring him with me, he goes, man, give, give not mean a big hug for me. So even years later, that's still that stands as not now mean. Yeah. And all that. Yeah. So maybe the reason I'm asking this question. is because I feel like we live in a country, and in a world. where people are less likely to engage in ideas. and other human beings who aren't completely aligned with them. And here you have this person who has done.

really well building an audience that has an idea of them. But then every time you are risking the association. with another human being and you are risking the audience. that you've built for that human being who doesn't have much. Like what? Like why? Why are you doing this? Why take the risk? I don't I don't feel like it's as much a risk that. Don't get me wrong, there was a couple times. when I would get emails. and they're like, hey, listen, we really like what you do, but we didn't like what you're one of your other. That's what I mean. Said yeah.

And it's like, okay, I can see that. but for some reason, I don't know, man. It's just the only time I acted on it. And when I did, I felt terrible for it. And I still haven't fully, you know, recovered from it. And that was with Martin Martinez. Been on the road with me forever. Yeah. But I do remember that there was a year where we started. getting a lot of complaints about certain, because I tell Martin, just go out there, be you. Yeah.

I had gotten a few emails and, you know, talking to management, talking to all the people around me, they're like, hey, man, look, this isn't a good thing for you. And, you know, I had I had a whole break in the. in the tour, and Martin went off to do his own thing for, for a while, and I missed him. I missed him, and I felt like it was a break up, but I'm like, this is still my friend. But if the way that things went down, it just it didn't sit well with me. And, I felt I felt terrible for it. And I'm like, I should have. just had a conversation with him versus. just letting all the powers that be dictate that.

But, it was one of those things where I like to support and make sure. that everybody around me does whatever they do. And if if they have a different idea or a different opinion that just, you know, I don't want everybody to think the same way as me. That's boring. You know, I want people to go up there. and shake the room up a little bit, have me say something that's so crazy. I can make a call back on it, or say something that's like, whoa, you know, I like that because I remember one time. I had Rick Gutierrez on the road with me, and, I told him, hey, dude, what the hell?

I, I just saw your set. What? Did you know? You didn't do this. You didn't do this. You didn't do this. I'll call people out when they don't do the stuff you always do. Clearly. And he goes, oh, man. I was just, you know, I don't want you to have to follow the. the fact that this and this and this, I go, Rick, I'm a headliner or two. If I can't follow you, I shouldn't be closing the show. Oh, you go out there tomorrow and you put your stank on that stage, all right? And let me worry about following you. You putting on a kickass show will make me work that much harder. I don't want to be lazy and complacent.

You going out there and killing that stage elevates my game. Because now. I have to perform better than I'm, you know, used to performing, right? Because it just. It makes you a better comic, right? It makes you better. It's a it inspired me. I mean, it's the reason I do my tours the way I do now. You know, I was thinking about how. some of my favorite memories, genuinely, whenever people ask me about America and they go like, what are your favorite memories in America for? I want to say. eight out of ten of those memories involve you or where you took me. I like, like there are places I remember.

and I've told jokes about some of these things. But like the. woman in Lexington, Kentucky, who came up to us after the show. and she was so sweet, and she was like, she's like, I just want to let you know you're by far. the funniest and handsomest nigger at an ever seen. And I remember ever. But I had never experienced this firsthand. You know, you see America on TV, you see and hear. She was. And I know it's a strange thing to say, but it's like seeing somebody. who is not trying to be racist, nor even thinks they're seeing a. thing, that she was just like, what?

And what the best. You know what I do to tell the joke? But it was all true. It was delivered to me. It was my favorite was when Alfred and the gang said to her, they said, yo, you can't say that. You can't say that. And then she's like, what? I can't say he's the funniest. I didn't mean to offend y'all. And we were like, no, that's. that's not the part of the sentence that was a problem. But I think of the memories I've had and one of my favorite memories. on the road with you. So there were a few. So this was in El Paso, Texas.

Okay. You were the person who took me to El Paso. I'm new in America. I'm on the tour bus with fluffy, and we get to this town and El Paso at that time was like, was this really interesting place where you were in America? But it really felt like you were experiencing a city in Mexico. Do you know what I mean? It had like a had an interesting finish. It is a border town. Yes, it is neighboring to it, to Mexico, on this day, I, I remember I was trying to look for a searching for a Foot Locker.

This was this was years ago. We are talking the 2012. Yes. Yes, this is 2012. So I remember I'm using Google Maps. Google maps wasn't as sharp as it is today. So I'm using Google Maps and I go footlocker. I'm like that's where people buy their shoes in America. I'm like, all right, Foot Locker and Google Maps shows me a place. without even thinking. I leave the tour bus to a sleeping on and I just start walking. and I just follow Google Maps, follow Google Maps, follow Google Maps. The more I'm walking, I'm like, wow, the people are getting more and more brown.

People are getting more and more brown as we walk. And I'm like, all right, people are getting more and more brown. And then Google tells me they're like, woke up on some like embankment and next thing I know, but now there's this, this weird part where I'm essentially walking up stairs and it looks like. I'm going into a mall, I guess, but I'm walking up stairs. But very quickly the stairs are enclosed in like a. there's like a cage, you know what I mean? So you you couldn't, like, hop off the stairs on either side. Does this make sense? Okay, okay, so I'm walking and now there's a lot of people. coming towards us and a lot of people going where we're going. So now you, it's the inertia of the crowd and you're walking.

Then you're on a bridge. and I'm walking, I'm walking, walking on a bridge. And I'm like, is that a river? What is happening right now? What? Like where is the small oh my God. And then as I walk down the bridge, I see a sign and it says Welcome to Mexico. Now my in my ignorant brain, I didn't know because I've never. walked across a border in my life. To me, borders happen at like ports and at airports. and I'm just like, wait, what is it? Bienvenido.

I'm Mexico. I'm like, what? So now I'm walking. I'm like, oh shit, no no no no no no, this is wrong. This is clearly wrong. So I turn around. I'm causing so much commotion in the flow that the border agents. a lot like there now and then he's like, hey, come on. He's like, come on, Romanos, vamanos, vamanos. So I'm like, no, no, no, I'm sorry. I'm going to I'm sorry I'm drunk. But yeah, I can't hop to the other side. I'm like, oh, I'm trying to go to footlocker. And now they're pushing me the closet. Everyone's pissed off at me. Understandably. I'm like trying to get to the I can't get to. And finally I like get down to where he is and he's like, hey.

And he's like, I'm on the other end. I'm like, no, no, sorry, sir. I don't speak Spanish. Hey, man, I'm, I'm, I'm trying to get to footlocker. And he's like, what? He's like, no, no, keep going, keep going. So I'm like, no, no, no, keep going. I can't go. I'm like, I can't go to Mexico. I'm Gabriel Iglesias, I can't go to Mexico. And then he's like, what? Come on then. Then he's like, where's your passport? Then I was like, I don't, I don't have a passport. Then he's like, what? Then I'm like, no, not like that, not like that. I just don't have my passport with me. I didn't think he's like, why don't you have a passport? Then I'm like, I don't travel with my passport. When I go to footlocker. There's not a thing that I do, yo. We stood it for 15 minutes.

I sat there begging this man not to deport me to not my country. Because it's one thing to get deported to your own country. Something to be deported to. I'm not your country. And and then I. I'd never done this before, and I have never done it since. I pulled out my phone and I said, wait, wait, wait, let me Google me. And now I'm typing my name into Google and praying to got on Google. You better man, you better not mess with me on this one. I'm like Trevor Noah, I like hit it. And then my face comes up.

and then The Tonight Show and then like us, like on like all. And I was like, see, you see? And he looks at me, he's like, He's like, oh, he's like, oh shit, you was fluffy. Oh my God. He's like, oh yeah. Oh man. Oh you didn't get I'm do the show. I'm like, yeah, yeah. What do you know fluffy? He's like, yeah, of course I know fluffy. Then he's like, hey man, I love, love, love. He's like, I see you. Yeah, I get annoyed. Oh my god. Oh fluffy. And this guy I will never forget. Yo I walked that. He jumped me over to the other side. He's like, yeah. You like you shouldn't walk across the border without a passport. So I was going to Foot Locker.

I did not know that I was going to a border. And he let me come back to you. And I remember I was telling Alfred and the guys that. day and, you know, Alfred, classic, classic movies like you're Not Me. And he's like, I told you, man, he's like, you Dominican bro. I told you, man, they can see it. You might not see it, but they can see it. Man. You're Dominican bro. I was like, yo, that was the day I was like, screw you Google. And thank God for fluffy. Don't go anywhere because we got more. What now? After this.

And easily, easily the best experience. you and I shared for me was your fans. You would talk about something on stage, and if you made the mistake of mentioning something, your fans would start to bring it to the show. Yes. You know, and one of the things you talked about was loving cake. And so at all your shows, Gabe, it was like, I close my eyes right now.

and I can pictured backstage with every cake. you can imagine would be waiting backstage like every cake. And I remember I joined the tour, I felt like the African who had just come into this world, whereas like, I was like this just cakes all the time. because I'm not even lying. When I grew up, cake was a thing that would happen on occasion. I think it still is. Cake is not. You don't just bump into cakes all the time in South Africa. every day we were on tour, there's a minimum of 12 to 14 cakes max.

We had like we had a cake table backstage at the shows because people. would constantly bring chocolate cakes or you got to try my, my cousin's cake or you got to try this cake. Do you remember the cake? I've gotten a lot of penis cakes. I'm sorry. Yo, that penis cake. was one of the best cakes I've ever eaten in my life. I remember nobody wanted a cake in the shape of a penis. I was like, oh, it wasn't a cake made of penises. Come on, get your head out the gutter. There's dick cake. Here we go. No, come make a kick out of dicks. Come on. That doesn't. That doesn't hold the eggs. Don't blend with it. Well, No.

Someone bought a cake that was a massive penis. Giant giant penis. Right. And I remember nobody wanted to touch the cake. And I had become the de facto cake taster. Nine out of ten cakes weren't worth tasting or eating. And then that that dick. cake came up and it was weird, you know, how is that thing? And no matter what angle which which oh no no no no no no no no no no no. You're getting the balls on one side. You're getting the shaft on the other, you're getting the head on the other. And I remember, I remember everyone standing there.

and you know, the show. is it cake? Yeah. This was the opposite. It was almost like, is a dick. because it's like they didn't believe it was a cake. I was I guess it's a cake. They're like, I don't know, man. I'm like, it's a cake. We can eat it. It doesn't matter what it looks like. They're like, I don't know, man. I don't want to eat dick. I was like, you're not eating dick, you're eating cake. You can't eat dick with a spoon. And they were like, I don't know, man. I don't know if I can. And so I was like, well, I'm going in and they're like, you got to eat the dick now. I mean, I was like, I'm going to eat the cake. I'm eating like, you're not eating did not mean they did. The damn, he didn't have a dick. And I was like, man, you know what? You guys? And I ate it and I turned seven.

I was like, yo, you guys got to get some of this dick. And everyone was like, nah, you lying. You just want to, you want to. And I was like, everybody. And I'll never forget. There's a moment. where we were all gathered around this giant penis on a table, and we were just all like, man, this is amazing. This is some good ass. This is the best. Easily some of my favorite memories. But what it what what it also triggered. what everybody wants to know is which way? Where did you start? Did you start with the head, the shaft or the.

I don't even know where I. I just went in. I'm. I still trying to find that I don't know where the bakery is. I'm trying to find it. But but this triggered a random memory of mine. that I've always wondered about. Sort of what you said about receiving emails. I always wanted to know, like how you dealt with this. and how you moved through this. There was a time when, you know, you went to the doctors and they were like, hey, man, Gabriel, you can't be eating as much as you eating. You know, like we worried about your health. You know, your heart, everything you told, you told.

the audience these stories you like. Yeah, I've got to cut down and everything. And you started boxing. You started losing weight. And I'll never forget this because this really, like, threw me off as a human being and as a performer. There was some fans of yours who were angry that you were losing weight. Yeah, they were like, I'm not more than any of you anymore. Yeah, yeah. It's like, hey, I'm gonna live longer. Maybe, I don't know. Yeah, but I did have. some people that were getting upset because it was going against the, the fluffy thing, you know, and it's like, come on, man.

It's like, why is this even a concern? That is, you had to celebrate me. The fact that I'm trying to make my life better. But yeah, some people did not receive it that way. But I think it's a it's a valuable conversation to have in society. We take for granted how much the way. we are makes people comfortable. And if we did to change that, it changes. how they feel in relation to us. Do you know what I mean? I always felt like that, that illuminated something quite powerful.

that we're still dealing with today in society. And it's like, what do you think you've learned? Because you have you actual you have real conversations with the people, which is why I ask you, is like, what did you learn about how people see you. and then how you have to balance that with how you wish to be. while still maintaining relationships with them? I value people's opinions, especially the people that are willing. to come out and support and and make this this work. I listen to people. I value their opinions.

It's it's not a matter of opinion. I'm no longer young. I'm no longer a 20 year old kid. That can be 440 pounds. I'm almost 50. And if if I want to continue that, we already know. what's going to happen. Yeah. So in that situation where I have people. that voice their opinion, well, you're not going to be fluffy no more. I can't support you. Those are the people who whose opinion. is not something that's going to work well with what I'm trying to do. Yeah, yeah.

And again, if fans aren't willing to see the bigger picture. and understand. that I'm trying to do something to make myself better physically, not let me do something that's like, oh, all of a sudden he's political. Now I'm doing something where I'm trying to improve. my quality of life because I want to be around. If they don't agree with that, then I don't. I don't want them. I don't need them, and I have to be one to accept the fact that, all right, I'm going to lose those fans. I'm sorry. The hard for you it is because you always want to make everybody happy.

But I'm literally trying to make people happy by killing myself. So if me killing myself is going to make someone happy, then maybe I don't want to make those people happy. And maybe I need to let those people go. And that is hard. But I know for the greater good I got to just be one to say sorry. You know, I'm not going to be fluffy. Maybe I'll just be Tuffy. Maybe I'll be Buffy. Maybe I'll be, you know, scruffy. I'll be something with a Y at the end of it. But, I need to. I need to be around. I mean, that's why I say. you continuously like you always inspire me, man, because.

I think this is something that many performers and again, I go to, like, I'm sure people deal with it in their lives. But when you're performance amplified, many people deal with this. and unable to articulate it. and don't deal with it publicly. But there's there's an idea, for instance, on comedy. I'll deal with it the opposite way to you. If I do a show where I don't say anything political, sometimes you like, what? What the hell are you doing with. everything that's happening in the world? You're just going to come out and make jokes. And I go, yeah, because that's what I do.

I sometimes I'm just making jokes. Do you see what happened on the news today? I'm like, no, I don't watch the news every day anymore. And they go like, oh, why not now? Because for my mental health it's not great. I don't think for your mental health it's great. I don't think you should be watching news every day. It's not good for you. I don't know, I just feel like, you know, this is change this. Yeah. Yeah, I signed up for it. Exactly. It's not what we signed up for. And I'm constantly and continuously thinking about. how you find a balance in life between accommodating.

how people have seen you and how you wish to see yourself. You know how, which how you wish to grow. What do you make of the conversations about weight and weight loss today, like with Ozempic and everything? Like now when people talk about losing weight. and ozempic and all these things, do you ever think about it? You have an opinion on it in that world, as somebody who's, used Ozempic. And by the way, Ozempic approached me years ago before it really became popular. Oh, wow. And they wanted me to be the spokesperson for Ozempic. They wanted me to be the the oh, oh, you know, they want to be the guy.

in all the commercials, the the modern day Wilford Brimley, you. know, me and my diabetes. I beat him and I'm dealing with my diabetes. So they they approached me to, to be the spokesperson. But, you know, the, the powers that be said, hey, for what they want. from you, your time commitment and what they're. Yeah, they're not willing to play. Right. And I was like, okay. But in hindsight, I would have gotten free ozempic. And that's that stuff goes for like thousands of black market. I probably could have came up, but I have past but I, I've used it.

I used, ozempic for a while and the right. even with me out the gate first two weeks I dropped 15 pounds. I didn't change anything. And so I can see why that would be addicting. Because it you do it'll it'll kick in right away. Now I'm taking, something called Munjal. Oh, yeah? Yeah. So it's like this from Eli Lilly? Yeah, it's the other one. But you will plateau because, the. Yeah, you got so much. It does it. It's not like you just keep losing weight. No, no, no, you plateau. But it does regulate my sugar. So, for example, I wear a monitor. You can't see it right now. But there's one of those on the arm. What? What colors.

What do you have? Like a what is it like? A next is the one that does continuous glucose monitoring. Yeah. Continuous glucose monitoring. Oh yeah. Yeah I like every two weeks I change it out. And of course you scan it like when you're. at the supermarket and get it and then kind of read. All right, that's what I'm worth today. And you know, that's been super helpful along with, you know, just trying to be somewhat active. Yeah. Not as active as I would like to be. I don't do the boxing thing anymore, but, you know, I'm I'm still I'm still moving. Yeah, man, you have had some of the more honest.

conversations about food and the emotional connection. it gives us and the support and the you know, like, I know for a fact. the reason I love food the way I do is because. it reminds me of moments in my life when things were okay. Do you know what I mean? Man, there was never a moment in my life where we were broke. and we had good food. And so food has this has a interesting connection. to my brain that makes me feel safe. It makes me feel seen.

It makes me feel welcome. It makes me feel, you know. And I wondered, like, if over the years, you know, because we haven't spoken about it in such a long time. But if over the years you've tapped into. that connection with food, because I know you. and I would literally talk about it while eating, like Arby's or. whatever, it would just be like, oh, but we remember how food makes it. And no. And I just wondered if you if you've had. like if you've worked on that, more of you, you know, with therapy. or whatever, just like. have you delved more into that space, what food means to you as a person? Food for me has always been in, like comfort food.

If I'm dealing with something that when when you eat, you have that moment where you're just like, Like everything makes sense. Like for example, my favorite, favorite thing to eat in the world. is just a plain cheese quesadilla, plain cheese quesadilla. And people go really? That's what you like. You could eat anywhere you want, but you want a plain cheese quesadilla. Few things that go, you know what plain cheese. quesadilla makes me think of my childhood. My mom would make me an idea, you know? And that was just it. That's all I needed. I just needed a piece of cheese and some a tortilla.

Fold it up. My mom would, you know, make it on a stove. And I was I was a happy camper. And so anytime I have a quesadilla, it's very much comforting to me. It feels safe. It feels it takes me back to a time when I had my mom. and you were close to your mom. Very close. Hey, man, I'm that. As I say, you and I were brothers on that trip. Like. Like, figuratively and literally in in the food and, Yeah, I, I, I don't know, to see how much self-worth and, and. how much value you gave to overweight people all over America.

where you didn't allow them to be defined as being lazy, as being slobs, as like you, you you gave people. just like a feeling of being seen. You know, I remember when you said to me with my merchandise. I was making t shirts and you would help me make them, and I didn't even know merch was a thing. And and then you said, like, get your sizes and split them out, and, and I was like, all right, I'm going to eat small, medium, large. And then you were like, you know, I mean, you're like, where's the. where's the double XL with the triple XO? And I was like, you're joking, right? And you're like, no, I'm not joking.

You got to think about everybody. And I was like, well, I'm from the isn't. But for X I wasn't even joke. And it was it was a learning. But but to see the people's faces when you would have this size. and it's this weird, complicated thing. where I think in society we, we, we like, we like to impose a singular idea. So you want to go, well, if you if you're fat and no t shirt for you. But you taught me that humanity in such a beautiful way. You made those people feel seen. You taught me to always try and see people as much as you can. Just see them, meet them where they are,

and then hopefully. by holding their hand, you both embark on a journey. that takes you in the right direction. And so I guess that takes me to the question, you know, that I ask. everybody at the end of every episode and that is like, you know what? Now, you know, Gabriel Iglesias has in many ways done every thing. at the. there are few, maybe none, no comedians. who are going to sell out stadiums like Dodger Stadium is not a joke.

Like, you know what I mean? I'm still fighting with selling. Like as soon as an arena. gets to like 15,000, it's like, oh, clench your butt cheeks, boys. Here we go. Oh, and you've done it now it's true, you've done it. You've toured the world. And so I, I would love to know, like, you know, for Gabriel Iglesias. Like what now? What do you, what do you hope to see yourself doing in the next few years. And don't limit it to Korea, by the way, I want to know, like as a human being, what now for you? Honestly, I think that it's.

it's time that I take care of this weight situation. I've managed to be able to, achieve every goal I have ever set for myself in my career. I've done everything I've wanted to do, and I think, personally, I have failed myself by not, working better on relationship, working better on maintaining, a certain level of just health. I've allowed myself to, you know, I've made excuses for years, and I think that now it's it's okay to to get off the road.

for a little while. It's okay to take a little break and start working on myself. You know, during Covid, I was I was so depressed. because I couldn't get on stage for almost a year. But during that time, I actually started working out and seeing, a diabetes specialist and started getting healthier. because I was actually able to get on a schedule and routine, and I lost about 75 pounds in that year. And then as soon as I went back on tour, I gained back 50 of it.

And I'm like, wow, if I would have just kept this up for like another year, I could have, you know, but I've gone back into my old habits. and I was I got used to being comfortable. and I, I think that by saying it out loud. and by saying this in front of people, and I'm trying. to make myself accountable because I hate letting people down. And if I think that if people know that this is the goal, they'll be supportive of it. And again, if some people don't want to support me.

making myself better than maybe those people. I don't need in my life anymore, they might not. I think they'll be with you. I think through Covid. everyone has appreciated life in a very different way. And I. I think they'll be with you, you know, they'll be with you as fluffy, they'll be with you as puffy, as toughie, as scruffy. Scruffy. Yeah. And I hope, you know, on a personal level, no matter what you do or don't do, you will always be enough. Thank you. Thank you, my brother. For real. love. Always. Great game. Thanks for coming on, man.

What now with Trevor Noah is produced by Spotify Studios. in partnership with Day Zero Productions and Fulwell 73. The show is executive produced by Trevor Noah, Ben Winston, Shahnaz Yamin and Jody AV. Again, our senior producer is Jess Hackle. Marina Hankie is our producer. Music mixing and mastering by Hannah Brown. Thank you so much for listening. Join me next Thursday for another episode of What Now?