CNN
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Hosting a Hollywood awards show has been likened to a thankless balancing act between working the floor and serving viewers at home, but comedian Nikki Glaser, who will headline Sunday’s Golden Globe Awards, has some practice.

Her breakout performance at the Netflix Tom Brady Roast last spring caught the attention of Globes producers.

“It’s before and after this moment. I really feel like I woke up the next day and was just more recognizable to people,” Glaser said in an interview with CNN this week. “It felt like a balance beam routine in Olympic gymnastics, which, you know, even if you stumble a little, it’s still impressive. But I just didn’t stumble. I’ve never experienced that in my career.”

Glaser wants to do that again on Sunday. And while she knows the Globes nominees aren’t signing up to be roasted at the event, Glaser said she wants to express the humor that got her noticed and hopes the crowd in the ballroom at the Beverly Hilton will and those who watch on television can get some good laughter.

“I understand the assignment that was given to me,” Glaser joked.

Glaser revealed the advice she received from former Globes hosts Ricky Gervais, Amy Poehler and Tina Fey. She also teased that there might be a bleep or two in her opening monologue and shared how she practices social media sobriety.

Below is our conversation, slightly condensed for length and clarity.

So tell me how you were asked to host the Golden Globes?

My agent and my manager called me at the same time. When you get a call from your sales reps, you always know it’s either good news or bad news, but it was two. And that’s why I knew it was good news, because they always wanted to come together to give you good news. But when there’s bad news, it’s always a person. I love my manager’s tone: “Nikki, what are you doing in January?” And I thought, ‘Maybe I should have gotten an eyebrow lift.’ They say, “This is something that can wait until January 7th.”

Has hosting the Golden Globes ever been on your career list?

I am not a goal-oriented person. I know that sounds crazy. I just always wanted to have what was right in front of me and not what was miles ahead… But it came a lot sooner than I thought.

You are the first solo female presenter of the Golden Globes. I keep running this statistic because it seems crazy that we are now in 2025. What does this mean for you?

I wish I could say it means that much, but that’s not true because Tina (Fey) and Amy (Poehler) could have hosted on their own. It’s not like they needed each other, because they couldn’t have done it alone. They just wanted someone. Who knows, when I become a host in the future, part of me asks myself: Who would I bring with me as a host? That would be really fun. This has a different dynamic.

So it means something, but I don’t consider it too much of a meal out of it… Whoopi (Goldberg) did it four times for the Oscars. You know, Ellen (DeGeneres) has done it before (hosting the Oscars). It’s a precedent, but it’s still a cool achievement. It feels badass and it feels like I have a little something extra on my cap for the evening.

You really love Tom Brady’s roast. Will this be a roast?

There are roasting elements. I think the Golden Globes allow for that more than other awards shows. There’s a precedent for Ricky (Gervais) and Tina and Amy kind of skewering this Hollywood elite that takes itself too seriously. There will be some of that, but it’s not a roast. These people aren’t, you know, Tom Brady signed up for a roast, he knew what he was getting into. These people just go, they’re nominated, they don’t sign up to get roasted at all. You’re not signing up to participate in my monologue, but you could be.

I worry when I say a joke and then it hits the celebrity and they don’t laugh. I really hope celebrities see this as an opportunity to appear very likeable. Laughing at yourself is a great quality, and not taking yourself so seriously really endears you to the audience at home. I promise I won’t pursue her in a way that deserves a dirty look at the camera. I made sure that these jokes were in the spirit of celebration and not too harsh. I won’t call you a horse-faced whore like I was called and laughed at a roast. In terms of the scheme, I’m going to take it pretty easy. But I got hired for roasting Tom Brady. I can’t back that up one bit.

The room shouldn’t be frightened, but perhaps they should be made a little aware?

If celebrities see this, I promise you I’m not out to ruin your evening.

Are you nervous about being on stage in front of this world-class audience?

Yes, it’s crazy. I’m just trying to remember that they’re all human, and that while I’ve risen through the ranks of like, popularity, and fame, even where I’m at right now, I’m just a girl , who looks really ugly when she wakes up. She has messy hair, smells bad, has bad breath and problems in her relationships. And so are all these people… But yeah, I feel like Angelina Jolie has to listen to me for nine minutes, just like Angelina Jolie spends nine minutes in her life listening to me talk. This is wild and not lost on me.

Seth Rogan reached out to me. People asked me who reached out to me and I forgot to nod… I’m happy when comedy people are in the room because they get it. They understand that this gig is almost impossible. It’s hard, so I think they’ll be very generous in laughing. I can’t think about it too much! Don’t make me think about it.

Have you spoken to five-time Globes host Ricky (Gervais)?

He told me, remember that you are not one of them. You’re a comedian. That’s what you’re there for. Don’t lose your head… it kind of grounded me. Then Tina and Amy wrote to me. They said the room was very loud during takeoff. People could still walk around, take selfies together, or stand up. Remember, they can’t hear this at home. Don’t try to calm them down and keep everyone quiet. It won’t work. Just go. That really helped. And Seth Meyers actually co-signed it.

Her brand of comedy is pretty raunchy. Here you have to be broadcast friendly. Do they have to give you a two second delay, Nikki?

I understand the assignment that was given to me. I may be raunchy in my standup, but if you decide to come to me, you know what that is. It’s like they chose me, so I adapt to who they are. I don’t force what I do on them. And so I think it will be something that families can watch. I mean, I’m going to be a little lecherous at some of the jokes, but that can’t hurt. I’m 40! How can I not be? There was some conversation about setting it up, like they knew when to beep. It’s almost funnier when there’s a beep.

I won’t try to get away with anything. I’m not here to burn bridges. I want to go to the afterparty and still have a good time and not be like, “I can’t go.” Selena Gomez might be mad at me for that joke!’ You know? So it’s a balancing act.

At awards shows and all those viral pop culture moments, people are quick to comment. Do you read the comments on social media or do you want to stay away from them?

I’ve been sober from comments since 2018. Not reading comments was the best thing I ever did for myself, the same thing I did with alcohol. I loved alcohol and I love comments. I read them about other people but can’t get around to it. I have a problem with comments. You’re ruining my life. And that’s why I don’t get them, just like I don’t drink alcohol. Other people can handle comments, I can’t.

If you remove that, I won’t think about it at all. I can post with abandon. If I’m embarrassed about something, I don’t say, “You know, people are going to make fun of me.” I don’t care because I won’t see it. Make fun of me all you want. I love it!