American comedian, actress, writer, podcaster and TV host Iliza Shlesinger will return to Australia with the brand-new show 'Get Ready'.
Iliza's got a legion of fans who show their loyalty by creating their own Iliza-inspired swag to wear to her shows, and has released six Netflix specials including ‘Hot Forever Unveiled’, ‘War Paint’, ‘Freezing Hot’ and ‘Confirmed Kills’.
She's in film, can be heard in her podcast 'AIA: Ask Iliza Anything', and has released multiple books.
Before the stand-up legend herself arrives to present 'Get Ready' to the final audience – Australians – we catch up with Iliza.
‘Get Ready’ – the name itself feels like a bit of a warning! What exactly should Australian audiences be preparing themselves for with this tour?
Australia is the last stop on the 'Get Ready' tour, so what I was getting ready for all year was my hour special. But now that we are at the end of the tour, Aussies can get ready to have the best version of my hour. So, not much for you to prepare for, I guess maybe your pants because you might sh.t them from laughing so hard? Maybe don't eat a big meal before?
Your fans are known for going all out with Iliza-inspired outfits at your shows. What’s the wildest or most creative fan look you’ve ever seen in the crowd?
People have come in full pharmacists (chemist) lab coats, full replicas of my outfits from my specials. A few women have dressed in full drag as Cashew Albacore from my sketch show. People take my jokes and really make them their own – everything from gazelle hooves and mermaid scales to she-dragon facepaint and Party Goblin wigs!
You’ve toured Australia before – what’s your favourite thing about performing for Aussie audiences? Any memorable moments from past shows here?
I've played Australia so many times and I always come back because Aussies, more than anyone else, are always up for a good time. You guys are like the flirty hot girl who drinks a lot but never gains weight.
Between your Netflix specials, movies, books, and podcast, you’ve got so many creative outlets. Does stand-up still feel like home for you, or has your approach to it evolved over time?
Stand-up is the most freeing of the art forms because I am in full creative control and every joke lives and dies, moment to moment, by the audience reaction. I'm comfortable on that stage baring my soul because I have the best fans.
Your comedy is so high-energy – do you have any pre-show rituals to get into the zone before hitting the stage?
I don't. To have a ritual would suggest that something besides my effort dictates the outcome. . . But I guess I like to chew gum, to get my brain and jaw warmed up.
Your ‘Elder Millennial’ special got the full fan-umentary treatment with ‘Iliza Shlesinger: Over & Over’. If you were to do another behind-the-scenes deep dive, what moment in your career would you want to document?
Me playing the Super Bowl halftime show and being like "this is so weird that they booked me because I can't really sing".
You’ve worked in film, TV, and stand-up – is there a dream project or collaboration still on your bucket list?
I want to be able to make my own TV and movies and tell my own stories on bigger and better stages. So as long as I'm getting to be creative around people who are better than me, I'm happy.
What’s one thing about Iliza Shlesinger off-stage that fans might not expect?
I think if you're a real fan, you've come to know that you can always expect the unexpected from me. Like one time, I ate 35 chicken wings and I was fine.
Iliza Shlesinger Australia 2025 Tour Dates
20 April – Arts Centre Melbourne22 April – State Theatre (Sydney)
24 April – Queensland Performing Arts Centre
