Our Chat with Abbie Chatfield
Abbie Chatfield talks feminism, challenging stereotypes and finding the funny side of life ahead of her Just For Laughs Sydney appearance.
Abbie Chatfield has never been one to shy away from an uncomfortable conversation. Whether she’s talking relationships, feminism, sex or society's peculiar expectations on men and women, she’s happy to go there - preferably with a joke or two along the way.
Now, the television personality, podcaster and live performer is bringing her trademark humour back to Just For Laughs Sydney 2026, returning to host Women Aren’t Funny at the Sydney Opera House.
First finding fame as a contestant on The Bachelor Australia in 2019, Chatfield has since built a career spanning television, radio, podcasting and live performance. She won I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2021, launched her candid podcast It’s A Lot with Abbie Chatfield and established herself as a familiar voice in conversations about modern relationships and culture.
Comedy and Challenging Gender Roles
But it’s on stage that Chatfield is having some of her greatest fun.
“Doing live shows is my favourite way to connect with an audience,” she says. “It’s so much more intimate and fulfilling to see the reactions and interact with the audience in real time, rather than through a screen or on a podcast.”
Her live show Abbie Chatfield Loves Men (not all men) is a case in point. Exploring damaging gender roles promoted by the manosphere and society more broadly, the show looks at how patriarchy can harm men, too. It’s a big topic, but Chatfield believes humour helps audiences engage with ideas they might otherwise find confronting.
“Comedy is the perfect gateway into normalising potentially taboo or uncomfortable topics, as well as deeper, more complex discussions that can often feel intimidating or perhaps just boring to the average person. I think if I were to talk in a serious tone without much humour, the message wouldn’t have the same impact.” she says.
It’s an approach that feels natural to Chatfield, who says humour has always been part of how she communicates. And while she’s developed a distinctive public voice, she’s not particularly interested in getting caught up in the noise that comes with it.
“I don’t engage much with public criticism, unless it comes from my audience, I find more often than not the ‘criticism’ is coming from people who are trying to confirm their pre existing ideas about me, or create a
narrative that fits their content strategy, using my name for engagement.”
She’d rather focus on the work - and on making people laugh.
Abbie Chatfield Returns to Just For Laughs Sydney 2026
That brings her to Just For Laughs Sydney 2026, where she’s returning to host Women Aren’t Funny, following a stint in the same role in 2025.
Taking place at the Sydney Opera House on November 14 and 15, the show brings together a lineup of women comedians, including Becky Lucas, Nina Oyama, Steph Broadbridge, Dr Esmé Louise James and Lizzy Hoo, who will challenge the tired notion that women can’t be funny. Chatfield’s role will be to warm up the crowd, introduce the performers and help stoke that electric atmosphere that women-only energy produces.
“I was lucky enough to host this show for Just For Laughs in 2025 and it was one of the highlights of my year. I’ll set the night up, do a few jokes and get the audience ready for our phenomenal lineup! And stand side stage having a giggle while the real comedians perform.”
She’s particularly looking forward to watching her fellow performers. Asked whether any comedians have influenced her own sense of humour, Chatfield credits a rather more personal source.
“I don’t think I have any comedians that have influenced my sense of humour, it comes from my mum and my family.”
As for the women sharing the bill, she’s delighted to have a front-row seat.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the fabulous women on the lineup with me! So thank God I’ll have the best seats in the house.”
What's Next for Abbie Chatfield?
With her most recent tour proving a success, Chatfield is keen to keep building her live audience, with plans to take the show to Aotearoa New Zealand and regional Australian towns. She also has a book due out in 2027, giving fans another way to get inside her world.
For now, though, the stage is where she wants to be. And if her work has a recurring theme, it’s that serious conversations don’t always need to be solemn ones.
Sometimes, a well-timed joke can open the door to a much bigger discussion - and make the whole thing a lot more fun. Oh, and she and her fellow comedians would also like to prove that women are not only funny - they are f*cking hilarious!
Women Aren't Funny - Just For Laughs Sydney 2026
📍 Venue: Sydney Opera House, Playhouse
📅 Dates: November 14 & 15, 2026
⏰ Time: 7pm
