Stand-up comedian Justine Smith was a fan favourite during her time as a contestant on the reality TV phenomenon The Traitors NZ, a murder mystery-inspired social experiment with a chance for the players to win up to $70,000.
But when Justine was “murdered” and left the show last week, it was no laughing matter.
“I was gutted!” she admits. “But when I left, at least I was wearing a cute outfit and looked good!”
Deception, lies and betrayal are the name of the game in the competition that has taken the world by storm. The local version, hosted by Paul Henry, has contestants known as the “Faithfuls” trying to unmask the “Traitors”, the secret saboteurs within the group who are tasked with “murdering” the Faithfuls one by one.
Justine says she loved being on the show – mainly because each contestant had their own room in a secluded luxurious location and had long periods spent by themselves.
“I’m a stand-up comedian, so I like my space,” she tells. “I’m a private person. We had our own beautiful room. It was a haven being able to have that time by myself.”
But when it was time to film and interact with the rest of the contestants, Justine enjoyed the chance to strategise and play the game.
Plotting with fellow contestants Dan Sing (left) and Kings.
“I’m comfortable in social settings,” she explains. “I went into the game with an open mind and calmness. I loved the social experiment aspect of the game. I knew I was going to handle myself well and that I wouldn’t lose my temper.
“As a comic, I’m a real observer of people. I like watching people get wound up and see how they handle certain situations. Even though we all turned on each other, we were like a family.”
Although Justine was disappointed to leave, she was happy to return to her Auckland home to be reunited with her husband Dan Crozier and their two cats, Frank and Gus. “This had been the longest time I’ve been away from my husband.”
The couple have been married for eight years. They met 11 years ago at a comedy gig, where Dan was working behind the bar.
Justine missed her “good man” Dan.
Justine says she was attracted to Dan – who now works for a mental health organisation – because of his nurturing personality.
“He’s a good man, and a calm and kind person,” she enthuses. “He’s perfect for me. I’m kind, but not calm.”
Dan has also supported Justine throughout her comedy career, especially during the times when she wasn’t earning a consistent income.
Born and raised in Christchurch, Justine discovered comedy 27 years ago after she was dared to get up on stage and perform a gig at an open mic night in Auckland. That dare turned into a career in comedy. Justine was once named the Grand Dame of New Zealand comedy.
“I’ve only been called that because I have stuck at it for a very long time,” she says modestly.
When Justine took to the stage for the very first time at 26, she had graduated from art school and didn’t know what direction she wanted to take in life.
“But when I got up on stage and performed comedy, I knew straight away that this is what I was supposed to do. It became my everything. It was life-changing. You have to be tenacious because it’s a career that takes a very long time.”
Traitors shock for Justine and Sam Smith.
Justine won the Billy T Award in 2003, the biggest prize in New Zealand comedy. In 2014, she began writing for television, working on Rhys Darby’s Short Poppies. Her TV writing career took off from there and she became a writer for Three’s 7 Days the following year, and then head writer in 2016. She has made numerous television appearances, as a panellist on 7 Days, The Project and Taskmaster NZ.
“I love doing the TV stuff because it pays well and helps support my real passion, which is live stand-up,” she tells. “I love being in a room and making people laugh.”
Justine has been a pioneer who continues to advocate for women stand-up comedians. She’s proud of what Kiwi female acts, who are regularly performing in international and local gigs, have achieved. She says they’re entering a safer space to perform both on and off stage.
“It’s been a real fight,” she reflects. “We’ve come a long way. There’s been a surge in the last seven years of all of these women who are coming through and supporting each other, and being supportive. We’ve become more diverse and we’re pushing the boundaries.”
Justine says comedy has always been the platform to speak pretty outrageous and controversial things. Although Justine’s comedy is raw, she says the joke is always about her own life and experiences.
“It’s about accountability,” she says. “I can get away with being outrageous onstage and offensive because it’s about me. I’m never punching down. People know me and trust me as a comic because they know nothing bad is going to happen.”
Watch The Traitors NZ, Mondays and Tuesdays, 7.30pm on Three, and on ThreeNow.
