Chelsea Handler brings her honest humor to Westhampton Beach

Chelsea Handler cannot hold back. From her latest Netflix special, “The Feeling,” to her new bestseller, “I’ll Have What She’s Having,” the 50-year-old stand-up comedian is on a roll telling her truth.

“I get bored easily, so I like to keep it jumping,” Handler said in a phone interview. “Being honest and living in a brave way is good, that’s how I like it. I need to stay activated for my brain.”

Handler will bring her energy to the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center Thursday and Friday, where she will riff on everything from excluding unfun family members from vacations to her experiences microdosing to her dog, Doug.

“My life is filled with ridiculous situations that I find myself in,” Handler said. “I kind of like to air my dirty laundry as well as the good stuff. But I never try to make myself something that I’m not.”

However, she has found herself in trouble for oversharing in the past. “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned how to leave people out of a story,” Handler said. “If feelings have gotten hurt, I change their names. I’ve become more discerning about my subjects.”

In her stand-up special, Handler takes a swing at former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, who tried to date her. “I never heard from Andrew Cuomo after the special aired. In fact, I don’t think he’ll ever bother me again,” she said.

Handler’s fans enjoy that she is so direct and brazen. “I don’t kiss up. It’s not how I operate,” she said. “If you know me, you know how real I am. I always mean what I’m doing.”

Turning 50 didn’t cause Handler to be depressed; instead she has embraced her age.

“Fifty is the greatest number that I’ve ever lived. I want to stay in this age forever,” Handler said. “I’m older and wiser, plus I’m in a position to give people advice and wisdom, which comes from a place of love.”

Handler often guides her fans on life advice via her podcast, “Dear Chelsea.”

“People call from all parts of the world for real-life advice. Obviously, I’m not a licensed therapist, but I want my listeners to have the best life, it doesn't matter who you are,” she said. “I want you to get it, grow, take chances, be confident and know who you are. It’s better to put out good vibes to people.”

One of the biggest misconceptions about Handler is that she doesn’t like children. “I love kids. I just don’t want my own,” Handler said. “Not having my own children is the strongest decision I’ve ever made. I don’t ever regret that. I have so much freedom because of that. For me, life is about being free. I don’t like to be tied down.”

Being the youngest of six, Handler is a born observer. “I don’t miss anything,” she said. “I see everything that’s going on. I know how to assess a room.”

Handler is looking forward to spending two nights with Long Islanders, not far from her home state of New Jersey. “The Northeast is where I’m from. I connect with it because I grew up that way, so it feels like coming home,” she said. “That’s where I got all the saltiness in my personality.”

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.