SEATTLE — Australian comedian Celeste Barber is bringing her act back to Seattle.
She’s performing at The Moore Theatre as part of her “Backup Dancer” North American tour.
The comedian and actress built a prolific Instagram following by making fun of unrealistic standards for women. Nearly 10 million people follow her account, where she frequently pokes fun at beauty influencers and celebrities by parodying their poses and skimpy outfits.
Entertainment reporter Kim Holcomb chatted with Barber from Australia.
HOLCOMB: "It was fun but challenging getting this interview set up because obviously I'm in Seattle, you are still Australia. It's Monday here, what day of the week is it there?”
BARBER: “Couldn't tell you. (laughter)”
HOLCOMB: "Obviously there's an endless supply of influencers and celebrities to parody, but it also feels like sometimes you must have a prop closet or something where you can just pull this stuff together. When do you get your ideas, and how quickly do you turn these things around?”
BARBER: “I'm a pretty spontaneous person, and if I see something I'll be like 'Yep, we're on' and I'm up and I'll just do it and I try to be resourceful with what I've got. I have some ridiculous things in my closet, and my husband - I'm like, ‘I don't have enough space,’ and he's like, ‘Well it's because you've got all this stuff’ and I'm like, ‘Yeah but I can't get rid of it because what happens if one of the Kardashians does a funny thing and I need to wear a leopard onesie?’"
HOLCOMB: "It never feels mean-spirited to me. It's sort of pointing out the ridiculousness of the situation but not necessarily attacking the person."
BARBER: "It's that whole thing of don't hate the player, hate the game. It's a comment on society, it's a comment on the media, it's a comment on the beauty industry, on the standards women have to live up to."
HOLCOMB: "Marie Claire did an article about you and I think the headline was 'The Cult of Celeste Barber.' It's one cult I feel comfortable saying I'm a member of. But I'm curious, what is the thing you hear most from the fans you have interaction with?
BARBER: “The thing I hear most is, ‘Keep doing what you're doing.’ Because I've been doing it for a while now, taking inappropriate, unflattering, half-naked photos of myself and putting them up online. I'm sick of myself, I can tell you that much, but people - they feel really seen, I think. I've got some pretty loyal followers out there, which I appreciate.”
HOLCOMB: “Yeah, approaching 10 million on Instagram - what does that feel like? Can you even wrap your brain around that?”
BARBER: “It's kind of weird because it's all just here so it's kind of like a number of people in a place that doesn't really exist. I started doing standup and the Instagram stuff to get work, to show people I was funny."
HOLCOMB: "You have performed in Seattle before. Why are we amazing? What are you most looking forward to about coming back here?”
BARBER: "No, I love me some Seattle. The last few tours I've done, the first one I did we started in Seattle and I remember just walking around and there were fairy lights everywhere and everyone was so lovely and kind and having some drinks and Thomas, who's my best friend and tour manager was like, we are never leaving here. I'm pumped - pumped to be getting back there."
Barber performs at The Moore on May 14. Tickets are still available.
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