Interview: Gabriel Iglesias at NJPAC

Gabriel Iglesias' new Fuse reality series may be titled "Fluffy Breaks Even," but the comedian's career can only be described as breaking big. With his nice guy charm and self-deprecation - for the uninitiated, he's "fluffy," not fat - Iglesias has become one of the most popular stand-up acts of the past decade, starring in three wildly acclaimed Comedy Central specials and selling out venues around the world. In fact, he just recently returned from shows in Singapore, Dubai and Malaysia.

And while routines like his famous "Levels of Fatness" will always be fan favorites, Iglesias is promising a new show for his New Jersey followers when he stops by the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on July 7 and 8. In an interview with BroadwayWorld.com, he said he has some stories planned about his teenage son Frankie and his interactions with his friends. He also has more tales about how his older jokes have come back to bite him.

But no matter what he talks about, audience members will not have to worry about Iglesias stirring up controversy. While numerous comedians have prided themselves on tackling hot-button issues, Iglesias has made a name for himself shirking such topics in favor of sharing funny stories about his life. The reason why, he explained, stems from his belief that comedy should unite, not divide.

"There are enough things in this world that will divide and polarize an audience," Iglesias said. "My fans spend hard-earned money and take time to come and see me live, and I hope to make everyone's day a little better by bringing them laughter and sharing stories that they can relate to. Sports, religion and politics are the three subjects that can very quickly divide an audience, so I avoid them. There are so many other things to talk about!"

One thing that Iglesias is sure to talk about is life on the road with his friends and fellow comics Martin Moreno and Rick Gutierrez, who will be appearing on stage with him at NJPAC. And fans of "Fluffy Breaks Even" will know that much of those stories will likely revolve around one thing - food. In fact, the whole premise of the hit series - which is now in its second season after debuting as one of the most watched premieres in Fuse network history - revolves around Iglesias and his friends visiting the best restaurants in the country before working off what they have eaten with a unique local exercise regimen. One recent episode included Iglesias and company chowing down on an authentic Hawaiian cuisine before running a mud-filled obstacle course.

Iglesias said the idea to do the show was based on his own experiences on tour exploring a city's hidden gem eateries while watching his weight at the same time. The fluffy comedian's weight has always been a key aspect of his stand-up routine, but he has never shied away from candid discussion on the effect his excess pounds have had on his health. At his heaviest weight of nearly 450 pounds, he was diagnosed with Type II diabetes and told that he would have only two years to live.

Thanks to regular exercise and support from loved ones, Iglesias was able to drop more than 100 pounds. But he admits that reconciling his comedy life with his health is never easy.

"Traveling as much as I do, it is very difficult to balance," Iglesias said. "I gained some weight back and it is a constant struggle. Trying to make good food choices and working out as much as possible is all I can do."

"Fluffy Breaks Even" documents this mission. But it also is a chance for Iglesias to showcase the comedic talents of friends like Moreno and Gutierrez. And that is not the only medium through which he has raised awareness for fellow comics. For three seasons he hosted Comedy Central's "Stand Up Revolution," a show that offered rising comedians a platform to show off their acts. While that show ended in 2014, he continues to host a radio version on Sirius XM's Raw Dog Comedy channel every Wednesday.

The reason why Iglesias likes giving young comics a chance to shine is partly for his own benefit - he said he enjoys being on the road with his comedian friends. However, he said he also thinks it's important to expose audiences around the world to different points of view.

"They definitely think a little differently than I do," Iglesias said.

"Fluffy Breaks Even" and the "Stand Up Revolution" shows are not the only times Iglesias has ventured into the world of television. In addition to his Comedy Central specials "Hot and Fluffy," "I'm Not Fat...I'm Fluffy" and "Aloha Fluffy," he was recently a cast member on the ABC sitcom "Cristela." On the big screen, he has appeared in both "Magic Mike" movies and starred in his own concert film "The Fluffy Movie."

Moving forward, Iglesias said he is interested in doing more films in addition to writing his own series of children/young adult books. He also shot a pilot for an autobiographical sitcom that ended up not going to series at ABC, but he vowed that fans have not seen the last of him on their televisions - a third season of "Fluffy Breaks Even" is in the works.

Of course, Iglesias said he looks forward to continuing to travel around the world with his stand-up act, including places he has never been to before. In other words, the future is looking fluffy.

To purchase tickets for Gabriel Iglesias on July 7 and July 8 at NJPAC and to learn more about their upcoming performances, please visit http://www.njpac.org/.

Photo courtesy of NJPAC.

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