Comedian Nikki Glaser has opened up about her surprising decision to leave the hustle and bustle of Hollywood for the simpler life in her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. At 41, Glaser decided to make the move after spending time with family during the COVID pandemic and realizing she didn't want to leave. "I moved back to St. Louis after Covid and kind of just got away from it all and stayed there," she shared during an appearance on "Live with Kelly and Mark."
Glaser revealed that the pandemic was a pivotal moment for her, as it highlighted how much she missed the tranquility of her hometown. Despite maintaining a presence in Los Angeles for red carpet events, she enjoys the ability to "get away from it all" back in Missouri. Her recent comedy special, "Good Girl," was even filmed at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis, with many childhood friends and family members in the audience.
“It's fine, I guess, that my childhood dentist knows about my sex life now. I guess that's appropriate,” Glaser teased about performing for a familiar crowd.
The move has allowed Glaser to reconnect with her roots and spend more quality time with her family. Her parents, Julie and Edward, who have resided in the area for decades, were also in the audience for her special. Glaser appreciates living in a place where the pressure to conform to Hollywood standards is absent. "When I'm on both of the coasts, it's like constantly comparing yourself," she explained, adding that Missouri offers a more relaxed and genuine environment.
Glaser is not alone in her decision to leave Los Angeles. She joins a growing list of stars, including Ellen DeGeneres, Richard Gere, and Chris Hemsworth, who have all relocated in search of a more balanced lifestyle. Like Glaser, Hemsworth cited industry changes and personal reasons for his move back to Australia, highlighting a broader trend among celebrities seeking solace away from the limelight.