Out and About with Fortune Feimster

With her Southern charm and her quick wit, Fortune Feimster has a knack for turning life’s awkward moments into comedy gold. Whether it’s recounting her honeymoon misadventures in the Maldives—where she hilariously discovered mid-flight that being gay is currently illegal there—or reflecting on her travels with humor and insight, the North Carolina native knows how to connect with audiences on a deeply human level.

In this Out and About interview, we explore Fortune’s latest Netflix special, Crushing It, now available on the streaming platform worldwide following its December 3 premiere. This latest hour of comedy brings her signature humor to topics like love, relationships, and identity, offering a much-needed respite from the cataclysmic energy of an election year.

We also dive into Handsome, her hit podcast with fellow comedians Tig Notaro and Mae Martin, which debuted in August 2023 and has already garnered 20 million downloads. Each week, the trio answers a single question from celebrity guests like Sarah Paulson, Neil Patrick Harris, Jennifer Aniston, and Margaret Cho, tackling subjects ranging from pop divas and time travel to making friends and coming out. Packed with hilarious stories and good-natured banter, Handsome is a fresh take on the celebrity podcast format. It’s available on all major platforms and has quickly become my go-to listen on long flights.

We also discuss Fortune’s travel tales, which are equally engaging, from luxurious stays at the San Ysidro Ranch in California to discovering LGBTQ+ inclusivity in unexpected places like Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Her experiences navigating cultures abroad, including destinations where homosexuality is illegal, provide a unique blend of thoughtful reflection and comedic perspective, themes explored in her new special.

With Crushing It and Handsome, Fortune continues to prove that laughter is the ultimate escape – and she’s generously bringing it to audiences worldwide.

Favorite hotel?

FF: It’s a tie between San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, California, and Las Ventanas in Cabo, Mexico. Both are amazing hotels with incredible attention to detail and great service. They’re very romantic spots as well. And a close third is Canaves Epitome in Santorini, Greece.

Favorite restaurant?

FF: My go-to casual place is a drive-in spot called BBQ King in Charlotte, North Carolina. My family has been taking me there since I was a kid, and we all love it. The food is so good; the onion rings are to die for. As far as fancy places, I finally got to go to the French Laundry in Yountville, California, and it exceeded all expectations. I still dream about their famous oysters and pearls dish. But the coolest part is someone from the staff had watched my Sweet & Salty Netflix special and made me their version of the Chili’s triple dipper. I couldn’t believe it.

Favorite season?

FF: I love the spring. The sun is starting to shine more. It’s not too hot. The flowers are blooming. It just feels like a fresh start.

Must-have travel essential items?

FF: I always travel with my laptop, my Bose noise-canceling ear pods, a charger, and a sleep mask.

Beach or mountain escape?

FF: I’m more of a beach gal, though I have to lather myself in sunscreen. I just find being near water makes me a lot calmer.

Go-to movie to watch on a flight?

FF: I could watch Bridesmaids over and over again. It never gets old.

If you found yourself stranded on an island, which three items would you hope to have with you?

FF: My wife Jax, my dog Biggie, and food.

What's been your most memorable or humorous travel experience so far, and why?

FF: When I was 22, I lived in Spain for a year and every three months I would backpack through Europe for two weeks. I went to Austria and decided to go on a Sound of Music van tour. It was six older couples over the age of 70 and me. This van drove through the hills of Austria blasting the movie’s soundtrack while stopping at locations from the film. I was singing every song at the top of my lungs, having the time of my life. Then at one point we stopped for apple strudel and one of the couples bought my strudel because they felt sorry for me. But I’ve never been happier.

What's one travel destination that exceeded your expectations and why?

FF: Thailand. I had no idea what to expect but my wife and I went one summer for two weeks. We loved it. The food was so good, the people were really friendly, it was beautiful. We also went to an elephant reserve in the middle of the jungle where we fed elephants and bathed them. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.

How do you navigate and embrace local LGBTQ+ culture when visiting different countries?

FF: I always feel a sense of relief when I’m traveling and I see a gay flag on the door of a business or around a particular neighborhood. You feel like you’re among your people and you don’t have to worry about just existing. It can be stressful going to certain countries and not knowing if you’ll be safe. So, we try to do due diligence before traveling to see if there are any laws we need to know about or if there are certain areas to avoid. If the vibes are good, it’s always fun to visit a local gay bar just to experience what it’s like elsewhere.

Can you share a travel tip or hack that has made your journeys more enjoyable or convenient?

FF: I rent a lot of cars when I’m on tour so I always pack an extra charger cord for the rental car so I can plug into the navigation system since they’re not all on Bluetooth. Eye masks can make a world of difference sleeping on a plane. I don’t even care that I look silly. And be sure to sign up for the reward programs on airlines and hotels so that you can bank those points to go towards future trips.

Are there any specific LGBTQ+-friendly destinations or events that you've particularly enjoyed?

FF: Palm Springs, California, is always a favorite. It’s really fun and it’s so gay-friendly. Wilton Manors, Florida, has a similar vibe. Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, is super gay-friendly. Picton, Ontario, was wonderful and very inviting. And surprisingly Fayetteville and Eureka Springs, Arkansas. I never in a million years expected to see so many gay flags in the middle of the South. I loved it. And of course, the OG gay-friendly Southern town, Asheville, North Carolina.

Do you have any favorite LGBTQ+-owned or LGBTQ+-friendly businesses, hotels, or restaurants that you would like to recommend to travelers?

FF: The Hideaway Wine Co in Los Olivos, California, has great wines and a cute tasting room,

St. Cecilia in Austin, Texas, is a really cool boutique hotel, La Barbecue in Austin, Texas, has some of the best barbecue, Eight Four Nine restaurant in Palm Springs, California, is really great, and Over the Rainbow Cupcakes and Desserts in Palm Springs, California, makes the best cake I’ve ever had.

Have you ever faced any challenges or encountered discrimination while traveling as an LGBTQ+ individual?

FF: We’ve traveled to a few places where homosexuality is illegal like the Maldives, Qatar, and Dubai. We were extra careful to be respectful of their customs and culture. I think my wife and I stood four inches apart at all times just in case. It’s nerve wracking because you feel like you can’t really let your guard down or be totally comfortable. Luckily all was smooth. I’ve experienced some homophobia in a couple towns in the US that I was really surprised about, but for the most part, people are pretty kind.

Can you share a story of a time when travel broadened your perspective or challenged your preconceptions?

FF: The first time I ever went out of the country was when I was 19. I went to Merida, Mexico for three weeks with a group from my college. Our anthropology professor took us all over the Yucatan to study the Mayan ruins and teach us about the local culture. As someone who grew up in a town of 8,000 people in North Carolina, this trip opened my eyes in ways I could have never imagined. I realized there was so much more in the world than my little bubble and I needed to leave my comfort zone more and start learning about other people and other countries. It was pretty transformative.

In your latest Netflix special, you wear a brightly colored suit that feels joyful and full of personality—a notable departure from the looks you chose for your previous Netflix specials. Was there any special significance behind this choice or did it just feel right for this special?

FF: For me, this special was about elevating. I wanted it to feel big, full of energy, bright and happy. So, I knew I wanted a suit partly as a nod to my podcast Handsome and I thought pink would match that big, exciting feeling. I just didn’t want it to feel cheesy but luckily, I found a suit maker named James Ford; a very talented trans designer who had been on Netflix’s Next in Fashion. He killed it. I was so happy with the suit and felt really comfortable on stage. And when we released the special’s trailer, everybody was like, “Holy cow, that suit!” It was the exact reaction I was hoping for.

I'm curious—why did you choose to film this special in Seattle? Was there something about that particular city or venue that resonated with the stories you were telling?

FF: I didn’t have a personal connection to Seattle like I did in my last two specials other than Seattle is such a great comedy city. I picked it because I had done two shows at the Moore on my last tour, and I couldn’t believe the energy in that room. It’s a 1,900-seat theater and sometimes the laughs get lost in those big spaces but I could hear everything so clearly and it allowed me to feed off that energy.

On your podcast Handsome, you and your co-hosts, Tig Notaro and Mae Martin, tackle all sorts of topics, and the camaraderie is evident. What's the most surprising or unexpected thing you've learned about Tig or Mae since starting the pod?

FF: I’ve learned that they are very smart but there are also things I can’t believe they don’t know. They had no clue what bread and butter pickles are, and they had never heard of Julia Sugarbaker on Designing Women. Blasphemous! But that’s the beauty of our pod, at any point one of us doesn’t know something and the other two can’t believe it and it makes us all laugh so much.

Touring is such a big part of being a stand-up comedian. How do your experiences on the road find their way into your material? Are you always on the lookout for funny moments, or do they tend to happen unexpectedly, and you realize later, "This would make a great story for the stage"?

FF: This is my third hour special in five years, and you have to start over after every one so I’m always on the lookout for material. Any embarrassing moment can become a gift to a performer. I do spend a ton of time touring so it is something that can end up in your act.