After stalled career & cancer, Kathy Griffin is still standing (up), coming to Lexington

After years of struggle, Kathy Griffin is finally catching a break.

This may be a strange thing to hear when speaking of the Guinness World Record holder for the most stand-up comedy specials ever and a comedian who has made her name, face and voice known as an actress, author, reality show star and pop culture commentator.

But since the last time Griffin came to Kentucky to perform in Richmond back in 2015, a lot of things have happened and most of them… haven’t been great.

“I have been through the mill, in particular in the last seven years,” Griffin said.

It started with the 2017 photo of Griffin holding a mock severed head of former President Donald Trump, which led to her landing on the no-fly list in the states and a federal investigation where she was interrogated under oath.

She was later diagnosed with lung cancer that led the removal of half of her lung and a surgical mishap that resulted in the paralysis of one of her vocal chords.

“I feel like Janet Jackson,” she said in a noticeably higher register.

In addition to a stalled career and cancer, Griffin also had to deal with the death her mother, addiction, a failed suicide attempt she said was done in “such an over-the-top way, it’s really funny upon reflection,” and a divorce filed four months ago. If she’s phased by all of this, she’s certainly not showing it.

“I’m 63, single and sexy,” Griffin proclaimed. “And sexy should at least have three of four “X”’s in it.”

‘My Life On the PTSD-List’ Tour: Kathy Griffin with new voice

After all of these setbacks, Griffin is free of no-fly list restrictions and hitting the road with her aptly titled “My Life On the PTSD-List” tour, which comes to the Lexington Opera House on Friday, May 3. When asked how the shows are going, she emphasizes that people need to make sure to show up on time, since she has no opening act and often performs two hours straight, sometimes more.

“I’m trying to control myself, but it’s hard. I have a lot to say,” Griffin said. “I’ve been itching this whole time.”

Griffin said her first time back on stage after the hiatus was playing The Mirage in Las Vegas. Instead of honing her material in smaller clubs, she just tried our her stories on her closest friends. She said she felt like she was home as soon as she stepped on stage and that the audiences continue to be with her for every line from her now new voice.

Some of it may be due to time healing whatever wounds the Trump photo saga stirred up. Some of it may be audiences being glad she’s still here and can laugh at all she’s been through. But mainly, underneath the occasional provocative joke is something time-tested that continues to resonate with audiences.

“I’m really a storyteller and the best compliment I ever get is, ‘It feels like I’m in the living room with my friend who is really funny,’” Griffin said. “It’s very personal.”

As Griffin promises to come to Kentucky well-researched to create a signature show for the Bluegrass State (spoiler alert: Senators Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell won’t be safe from ridicule), she was also able to mention the news that all six seasons of her Emmy Award-winning reality series “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List” is available to stream on Peacock. Things appears to be going in a positive direction based on this news and the reactions to her live show, and she plans to make the most of it.

“The only thing I know how to do is be a D-lister and get on my hustle,” Griffin said. “It feels like something of a comeback…maybe not a comeback, but on the way.”

Kathy Griffin: My Life On The PTSD-List Tour

When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 3

Tickets: $50-78

Where: Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St.; 859-233-4567 or lexingtonoperahouse.com