The Internet’s Favorite ‘Lesbian Jim Carrey’ Just Dropped Her First Stand-Up Special (Exclusive)

For years, Heather Shaw has built a devoted online following by being unapologetically loud, chaotic, gay, and hilarious. Oh, and for resembling another iconic comedian, Jim Carrey.

“With one video, I was able to convince everyone on TikTok that I was Jim Carrey’s abandoned daughter,” Shaw told Gayety in an exclusive interview.

Shaw’s videos exploded during the pandemic, earning her millions of followers and the now-famous nickname “lesbian Jim Carrey.”

“People believed it a bit too well, and ultimately I had to tell everyone it was a joke so Jim Carrey wouldn’t sue me,” she joked.

The comparison actually dates back to her childhood after seeing Ace Ventura in the ‘90s, but Shaw says she’s never been bothered by it. Heather Shaw 2025 34(c. Nicole Sepulveda) What to Expect From the Special

Whether she’s roasting pop culture, spiraling about reality television, or delivering uncanny celebrity impressions, Shaw has quickly become one of the most recognizable queer comedy voices online. Now, after years of touring sold-out rooms across the country and building a fanbase of nearly 3 million TikTok followers, the comedian is taking a major next step with the release of her first filmed stand-up special, Alright, See Ya!.

Premiering May 14 on YouTube, the no-holds-barred special was filmed in front of a sold-out crowd at Comedy Cabin in Janesville, Wisconsin, and features Shaw’s signature fast-paced style, tackling everything from gay bars and queer family dynamics to millennial nostalgia, politics, and Caitlyn Jenner. “She’s a wild woman,” Shaw added. A Very Gay Childhood

If that’s not gay enough, a lot of the material also pulls directly from Shaw’s real life, including growing up in what she describes as “an entirely gay household.”

“I was born with a built-in gay community in my house,” she shared. “My childhood was filled with showtunes and flannel. The perfect mix of The L Word and Broadway.”

The special arrives during a particularly exciting chapter in Shaw’s life. Earlier this year, she married her wife, Lilly Jean, in Kentucky, and their wedding gained online attention after being featured by multiple outlets, including People. Heather Shaw Wedding 1 (Photo: Brizzy Rose and Emma Photography)

During our conversation, Shaw opened up about queer visibility in comedy, married life, the changing landscape for LGBTQ+ comics, and why audiences are craving laughter right now more than ever.

Alright, See Ya! will premiere on YouTube on May 14 at 7 pm ET. Read our full conversation with Heather Shaw below.

A lot of people first discovered you online as the “lesbian Jim Carrey.” When did you realize that comparison had fully taken on a life of its own, and how do you feel about it now?

It really took on a life of its own during Covid. With one video, I was able to convince everyone on TikTok that I was Jim Carrey’s abandoned daughter. People believed it a bit too well and ultimately I had to tell everyone it was a joke so Jim Carrey wouldn’t sue me. It never bothers me when people make that comparison because I’ve heard it my entire life – I first started getting Jim Carrey comparisons as a kid in the 90s when Ace Ventura came out in theaters. My babysitter would always have me do the Jim Carrey face which is probably the least problematic thing a babysitter could have you do. But the constant Jim Carrey questions and comparisons now never bother me. At this point it’s like being called gay – Accurate and not wrong.

Your first comedy special, Alright, See Ya!, is finally here. What does this moment mean to you, and what did you want to include in this special? 

It’s huge! I’ve been touring the country working on all my material for “Alright, See Ya!” for the past few years and now I never have to say these jokes on stage again! I’m so excited for everyone to see this hour that I’ve been working on for a few years now. Releasing my first special is a long time dream come into fruition. I perfected these jokes and I’m so glad to share them with the world. One of my favorite jokes is about Caitlyn Jenner so I absolutely needed that included. She’s a wild woman. I also made sure to speak to all millennials out there about the nostalgia of our childhood and the questionable love for Harry Potter.

The special touches everything from gay bars to pop culture chaos. Is there a specific bit or story you’re most excited to share with a greater audience?

One of my favorite gay jokes is a true joke about my family being comprised of all gay siblings. It’s a super fun one to perform and I have to reiterate that me and my 2 siblings really all are gay because no one believes it. I love having gay siblings, I was born with a built-in gay community in my house. My childhood was filled with showtunes and flannel. The perfect mix of The L Word and Broadway.

You and your wife living openly in Louisville feels especially meaningful right now. What has married life in Kentucky actually been like for you both?

I joke that we got married in Kentucky because we wanted to be one of the last gay couples to do it. 

But honestly its been great and very affordable! Kentucky living has surprised me a lot, like any red state its got its negatives but there’s plenty to love about living there. My wife, Lilly Jean, her roots are in Kentucky, with longstanding generational family ties plus she attended UK Law. So Kentucky has been her home for a long time and together we’ve built a community for ourselves. 

While most of Kentucky is red, Louisville is very blue and liberal and cute. We have a beautiful life here – We live in a city in the heart of a walkable area with access to great restaurants and coffee shops. We get to be two out lesbians walking our dogs to eat some vegan food – the queer dream. 

Your recent wedding was featured everywhere, from People to queer online outlets. Did it feel surreal seeing so many people connect with your love story?

It was amazing! It was my first big publication writing about me and it was so exciting that media like People and Queer Kentucky wanted to share our wedding story. Of course I think our wedding was outstanding but I didn’t expect millions of people cared enough to read about and comment on it…Imagine People featuring this story in 2000? We would have been banished like Ellen. It was so sweet hearing everyone say they loved the pictures and sending over their congrats. The comments and feedback online were so affirming. I expected way more negativity but it’s been so complimentary – Very heartwarming and gay.

Our wedding was a surreal experience, I was so nervous but everything went off perfectly. Everything looked gorgeous, we had a great planner and my wife has outstanding good taste. Honestly one of the best nights of my life, so we’ve been happy to get to share it with so many people. 

Stand-up comedy has long been dominated by straight white men. What has your experience navigating that space been like over the years, and have you noticed any real shift for queer comedians recently?

Luckily, I have never had to deal with any crazy toxic comedians but I think that’s due to men looking at me like their younger brother instead of a woman they want to see naked. The comedy clubs are still very much dominated by men, which is insane! For every 25 guys doing shows in a club, there’s one woman performing. Online is where I see more of a shift – Queer comedians are becoming more prominent and popular online so it’s only a matter of time before they get access to comedy clubs as well. There are some really talented queer women stand ups I love – Emma Willmann, Jessica Kirson, Robby Hoffman. 

Queer men doing stand up I enjoy are Bob the Drag Queen, Matteo Lane and Caleb Hearon.

It feels like a moment in time where queer stand ups are getting lots of much deserved recognition.

Are there any queer comedians or performers who really shaped your sense of humor or made you feel like there was space for you in comedy?

I am a Kathy Griffin fan always and forever. I was a die hard “My Life on the D List” watcher and of all Kathy’s stand up specials. Her comedy has really shaped my voice and love of roasting celebrities. Kathy has been a huge inspiration and I could watch her material all day, every day. Margaret Cho was also an early inspiration for me and her special ‘I’m The One That I Want’ will go down as one of the all-time greats.

Neither of them ever asked for permission to take space, they just took it. They are both unabashedly themselves and perform what they want and how they want.

Have you noticed audiences connecting to comedy differently in the current moment?

Audiences are hungry for laughs and a good time. In this political and economical landscape, most people just want to escape for a few hours, laugh, and forget about the outside troubles. I don’t blame them and I’m so happy to distract them with my silly jokes. Wherever the audience (Seattle, Tulsa, Phoenix, Janesville, Wisconsin (where my special was recorded)), audiences have lots of overlap in what they laugh at, everyone seems to love a joke at JD Vance’s expense or my Brittany Spears impression. But red or blue, people want to have a good time and laugh. When it comes to politics, I’ve found it’s easy to make fun of both sides (maybe one side more than the other) and in doing that, you never really alienate anyone and everyone gets to laugh and be laughed at.

Anything else people should know about your special? 

It’s fast-paced, gay, and even has jokes for the straight guys in there! Anyone who is a fan of comedy will enjoy my special. The club I chose to film in is perfect for an indie-feel comedy special – low ceilings, an intimate room, and laughs that have nowhere to go but loudly in your ear. Plus, I love Wisconsin crowds because they know how to be drunk and have a fun time. I suggest everyone enjoy a drink while watching this special. And please remember, I’m a comedian and these are jokes. I’m not running for office or giving a TED Talk. Let loose, have fun, and enjoy.

Bonus: What pop culture moment are you obsessed with right now? 

I can’t get enough of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island. Where have these women been?! Between their accents, Alicia hitting a woman with her car, Jo-Ellen’s interesting family dynamic, and Liz’s voice, I am hooked, gagged, and gooped. Love those unhinged ladies! 

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