1 00:00:00,360 --> 00:00:05,600 Speaker 1: Hi everyone, I'm Katie Kuric and welcome to next question today, 2 00:00:05,840 --> 00:00:10,400 Speaker 1: the comedian who is gleefully shattering Instagram's illusion of the 3 00:00:10,480 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: perfect self and the perfect life. So much of what 4 00:00:15,800 --> 00:00:21,160 Speaker 1: we say is BS like, there's something in that, there's 5 00:00:21,160 --> 00:00:23,360 Speaker 1: a real funny idea behind the fact that this is 6 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:28,600 Speaker 1: all b S. I talked with thee Less Barber, an 7 00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:32,360 Speaker 1: Australian actress and comedian who has become famous for her 8 00:00:32,440 --> 00:00:37,199 Speaker 1: Instagram feed, a stream of not particularly flattering photos and 9 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:40,600 Speaker 1: videos of herself. That feed, which is seen by six 10 00:00:40,640 --> 00:00:44,040 Speaker 1: point eight million people, got her a TV special, a 11 00:00:44,080 --> 00:00:48,479 Speaker 1: world tour, a book deal, and yes, a podcast, but 12 00:00:48,640 --> 00:00:53,080 Speaker 1: Instagram is still her go to destination for comedy. Because 13 00:00:53,120 --> 00:00:55,640 Speaker 1: I am Australian, I leave in Australia. I don't have 14 00:00:55,680 --> 00:00:58,360 Speaker 1: to be on the road all the time. I feel 15 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:01,960 Speaker 1: as though I can put out a sketch or a 16 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:06,039 Speaker 1: post and it's seen as a show, a stand up show. 17 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:11,200 Speaker 1: So my next question for Celeste and this highly curated 18 00:01:11,480 --> 00:01:15,039 Speaker 1: hashtag no filter world, what does it take to be 19 00:01:15,160 --> 00:01:20,160 Speaker 1: real when we're all just faking it? A social media 20 00:01:20,160 --> 00:01:22,559 Speaker 1: only has the power you give it. You can turn 21 00:01:22,600 --> 00:01:26,640 Speaker 1: it off, you can physically and literally turn it off 22 00:01:26,840 --> 00:01:29,520 Speaker 1: and walk away from it, or you can use it. 23 00:01:29,840 --> 00:01:31,280 Speaker 1: Use it if you want to use it to talk 24 00:01:31,319 --> 00:01:33,959 Speaker 1: to someone. If you don't want to see something, you 25 00:01:34,040 --> 00:01:38,240 Speaker 1: can turn it off or use it as powerfully as 26 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:41,679 Speaker 1: you want to. Celeste Barbara realized a long time ago 27 00:01:42,080 --> 00:01:45,680 Speaker 1: that our culture feeds on a certain level of artifice. 28 00:01:46,959 --> 00:01:51,680 Speaker 1: I remember before social media, when we'd get you know, magazines. 29 00:01:51,760 --> 00:01:54,360 Speaker 1: I'm a big fan of magazines always. I love fashion 30 00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:59,200 Speaker 1: InStyle was always my bible. And you know, you'd see 31 00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:01,400 Speaker 1: a photo of a model in their cape Moss for example, 32 00:02:01,440 --> 00:02:04,320 Speaker 1: or whatever, Cindy Crawford a gorgeous model in there. But 33 00:02:04,520 --> 00:02:07,720 Speaker 1: you well, for me, I knew that that was for 34 00:02:07,760 --> 00:02:11,200 Speaker 1: them to do. That was that was Cindy Crawford on 35 00:02:11,200 --> 00:02:13,919 Speaker 1: a motorbike on a rooftop in a bikini on a Wednesday, 36 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:16,440 Speaker 1: because that's all that that's Cindy Crawford's thing to do. 37 00:02:16,480 --> 00:02:19,200 Speaker 1: And we kind of knew that there was photoshop and 38 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:22,320 Speaker 1: that it was just very heightened reality. It was. It 39 00:02:22,400 --> 00:02:26,040 Speaker 1: was art, if you will, and I've always respected kind 40 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:28,799 Speaker 1: of that art form. But then when social media came 41 00:02:28,840 --> 00:02:34,880 Speaker 1: around and it was being sold that similar image, for example, 42 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:39,320 Speaker 1: was being sold as an attainable life or as something 43 00:02:39,760 --> 00:02:42,760 Speaker 1: that just actually does happen on a Wednesday for everyone, right, 44 00:02:43,120 --> 00:02:46,920 Speaker 1: and something that was truly authentic, yeah, and living my 45 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:49,320 Speaker 1: best life or living my best self. And I was like, oh, 46 00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:52,920 Speaker 1: this isn't real. But the thing, the scary thing is 47 00:02:53,160 --> 00:02:54,880 Speaker 1: it was getting to a point where like, oh, people 48 00:02:54,919 --> 00:02:58,360 Speaker 1: don't know that though, people are thinking that this is real. 49 00:02:58,880 --> 00:03:01,280 Speaker 1: And it was like a bit of a snake in 50 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:04,200 Speaker 1: the grass for me because it kind of steeps in 51 00:03:04,320 --> 00:03:07,000 Speaker 1: when you're at your at your weakest. I guess you know, 52 00:03:07,160 --> 00:03:09,560 Speaker 1: you have three in the morning and your breastfeeding and 53 00:03:09,639 --> 00:03:13,160 Speaker 1: you haven't slept for what feels like fifteen years, and 54 00:03:13,160 --> 00:03:16,160 Speaker 1: you're flicking through your phone and you see these images 55 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:21,239 Speaker 1: and you're like, oh, that hurts. In two thousand fifteen, 56 00:03:21,480 --> 00:03:25,160 Speaker 1: Celesque posted a photo on her Instagram. On one side 57 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:27,560 Speaker 1: was a picture of a model in a ballet studio 58 00:03:27,680 --> 00:03:32,200 Speaker 1: wearing sleek athletic wear, her hair elegantly pulled back, doing 59 00:03:32,280 --> 00:03:36,760 Speaker 1: an incredibly flexible yoga pose. On the other side a 60 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:39,360 Speaker 1: picture of Celeste on the floor of her home. You 61 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:42,520 Speaker 1: can even see a baby in the background. She's wearing 62 00:03:42,560 --> 00:03:44,920 Speaker 1: gray sweats and is also trying to do the same 63 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:49,480 Speaker 1: yoga pose but getting nowhere close. She tagged the photo 64 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:53,560 Speaker 1: hashtag challenge accepted, and then I posted it with the 65 00:03:53,680 --> 00:03:56,800 Speaker 1: caption underneath it, I'm starting something because I just I 66 00:03:56,840 --> 00:03:59,200 Speaker 1: just knew, I knew it was funny, and it hadn't 67 00:03:59,240 --> 00:04:01,120 Speaker 1: been tapped into I might take the pisce out of 68 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:04,600 Speaker 1: people all the time. It was a visual joke Celeste 69 00:04:04,600 --> 00:04:07,560 Speaker 1: had with her sister and on Instagram. It was an 70 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:11,800 Speaker 1: immediate hit. Celest did another, and then another, and by 71 00:04:11,840 --> 00:04:15,680 Speaker 1: now she's created hundreds of these photos and video parodies. 72 00:04:16,200 --> 00:04:19,719 Speaker 1: The best way I describe it is I take inappropriate, 73 00:04:19,880 --> 00:04:23,280 Speaker 1: half naked, unflattering photos of myself and put them next 74 00:04:23,320 --> 00:04:29,440 Speaker 1: to models and celebrities. But first comes the models. I 75 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:31,680 Speaker 1: see a photo that they have posted, and then I 76 00:04:31,760 --> 00:04:33,960 Speaker 1: do my version of it. But it's a parody, so 77 00:04:34,080 --> 00:04:37,120 Speaker 1: something's added to it. It's not I'm not mimicking them, 78 00:04:37,160 --> 00:04:40,040 Speaker 1: I'm I'm adding to it. I'm doing a satire. Give 79 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:42,200 Speaker 1: me some example, Celest, of some of the funny posts 80 00:04:42,279 --> 00:04:44,880 Speaker 1: you've done. Well. The first one that comes to mind, 81 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:47,720 Speaker 1: which I think is probably the easiest to describe, is 82 00:04:47,839 --> 00:04:52,720 Speaker 1: Cindy Crawford doing her Pepsi commercial where she's so beautifully 83 00:04:52,720 --> 00:04:56,040 Speaker 1: opens a can of pepsi. Oh, she's so beautiful and 84 00:04:56,120 --> 00:04:58,720 Speaker 1: has a drink of it, and I think it was 85 00:04:58,760 --> 00:05:01,919 Speaker 1: a Super Bowl ad. Yeah, but then she's done a 86 00:05:01,960 --> 00:05:05,640 Speaker 1: reboot right exactly for I think Vogue seventy three questions 87 00:05:05,640 --> 00:05:07,960 Speaker 1: she did it. Can you show me how Cindy Crawford 88 00:05:08,040 --> 00:05:13,039 Speaker 1: drinks pepsi? Well, I'll sure try. So what I did 89 00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:16,400 Speaker 1: was I had like a massive bottle of pepsi and 90 00:05:16,480 --> 00:05:19,640 Speaker 1: I opened it and so the pepsi then spread all 91 00:05:19,640 --> 00:05:23,240 Speaker 1: over me because that's what happens. And usually do this 92 00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:24,840 Speaker 1: in a split screen. Yeah, I use it in a 93 00:05:24,839 --> 00:05:26,760 Speaker 1: split screen or with a fear with a video. I 94 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:29,320 Speaker 1: go forward and back um, and then yes, so the 95 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:31,240 Speaker 1: pepsi goes all over me. Then I try and sip 96 00:05:31,279 --> 00:05:33,360 Speaker 1: up and I'm burping because it's fizzy and it's all through. 97 00:05:33,560 --> 00:05:35,039 Speaker 1: But then at the end I just try and be 98 00:05:35,200 --> 00:05:38,440 Speaker 1: really sexy and like Cyndy and yet that I actually 99 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:40,719 Speaker 1: interviewed Cindy on my podcast and she was such a 100 00:05:40,720 --> 00:05:43,000 Speaker 1: good sport. She loved it. Yeah, she loved it, And 101 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:44,360 Speaker 1: I was like, can you let PEPSI know? And we 102 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:46,480 Speaker 1: can do something together. I'm still waiting for that call. 103 00:05:46,640 --> 00:05:50,719 Speaker 1: And then you take sort of fashion spreads and it 104 00:05:50,880 --> 00:05:56,279 Speaker 1: might be somebody in this ridiculous situation posing in a 105 00:05:56,320 --> 00:05:59,680 Speaker 1: beating suit, like on a some kind of contraption on 106 00:05:59,720 --> 00:06:01,320 Speaker 1: the be each, and then you do it on a 107 00:06:01,360 --> 00:06:04,800 Speaker 1: little rickety wagon. Bring I bring on my wagon like 108 00:06:04,880 --> 00:06:08,440 Speaker 1: that was one of um IRENA's shake. I think the 109 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:11,799 Speaker 1: beautiful model where she's just she's got a gorgeous chair 110 00:06:11,920 --> 00:06:14,000 Speaker 1: down by the beach and she's in like these amazing 111 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:16,560 Speaker 1: like little swimmers and she's just putting the chair out 112 00:06:16,600 --> 00:06:19,080 Speaker 1: and sitting down and flicking her hair around and being gorgeous. 113 00:06:19,120 --> 00:06:21,120 Speaker 1: And then cut to me and I'm trying to put 114 00:06:21,200 --> 00:06:23,800 Speaker 1: up a beach umbrella and it's trapping me underneath it 115 00:06:23,839 --> 00:06:25,800 Speaker 1: and I'm kicking it, and there's a wagon that's in 116 00:06:25,839 --> 00:06:27,520 Speaker 1: the sands in my face, and then at the end, 117 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:30,360 Speaker 1: I just got to stand next to it, defeated. It's funny, 118 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:32,920 Speaker 1: but it's also I think, you know, you're you're tapping 119 00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:37,280 Speaker 1: into how many women feel when they do look at 120 00:06:37,320 --> 00:06:43,120 Speaker 1: these images that are unattainable and unrealistic. And it's been 121 00:06:43,120 --> 00:06:47,400 Speaker 1: shown that social media really does contribute to anxiety and depression, 122 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:53,640 Speaker 1: not only for adults, but particularly for for kids. And um, 123 00:06:53,760 --> 00:06:57,640 Speaker 1: is that something that that you yourself, we're thinking about 124 00:06:57,720 --> 00:07:00,600 Speaker 1: and worried about in the back of your head as 125 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:05,920 Speaker 1: you kind of poked a hole in all this manufacturing 126 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:09,400 Speaker 1: of an image. Well, that was a very long winded question. 127 00:07:09,400 --> 00:07:11,239 Speaker 1: It was good though. I like to thank you arms 128 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:14,080 Speaker 1: and everything it was. It was lovely. Um, I to 129 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:16,240 Speaker 1: be completely honest with you, I did this because I 130 00:07:16,240 --> 00:07:19,040 Speaker 1: thought it was funny. My I primarily just want to 131 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:23,240 Speaker 1: make people laugh, always have and the fact that I 132 00:07:23,280 --> 00:07:26,400 Speaker 1: am cutting through all and I've always just cut through crap. 133 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 1: People are never unsure of where they stand with me 134 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:32,760 Speaker 1: because I don't fluff around and go people. I'm always 135 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:35,720 Speaker 1: very honest and I've just kind of always been like that. 136 00:07:36,440 --> 00:07:40,360 Speaker 1: So to tie that in with wanting to make people laugh, 137 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:42,800 Speaker 1: I think that's why it hit a nerve, because it 138 00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:46,920 Speaker 1: was kind of truth talking and calling it out and 139 00:07:47,280 --> 00:07:50,160 Speaker 1: really funny. I think that's how it kind of cut through. 140 00:07:50,520 --> 00:07:54,760 Speaker 1: It also seemed to dovetail Celeste with the body positivity movement. 141 00:07:55,040 --> 00:07:59,360 Speaker 1: You know that that women can be beautiful and be 142 00:07:59,520 --> 00:08:02,920 Speaker 1: great and all sheeps and sizes, so you almost actually 143 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:06,120 Speaker 1: cut that trend as well. Yeah, and that that was 144 00:08:06,200 --> 00:08:09,120 Speaker 1: unintentional as well. I never started this to be a 145 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:12,240 Speaker 1: body positive thing. I'm very happy to be caught up 146 00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:14,880 Speaker 1: in that movement or whatever, like, very very happy to 147 00:08:14,920 --> 00:08:18,640 Speaker 1: be but it was never an intention of mine. Because 148 00:08:18,920 --> 00:08:21,560 Speaker 1: when we talk about beauty, it seems so much of 149 00:08:21,600 --> 00:08:25,400 Speaker 1: how we see beauty is literally how we see it 150 00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:28,480 Speaker 1: and what it looks like. How I look makes up 151 00:08:28,520 --> 00:08:31,640 Speaker 1: a very very small percentage of who I am. I 152 00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:35,640 Speaker 1: believe that for a lot of us, and I so like, 153 00:08:36,000 --> 00:08:38,760 Speaker 1: you know, some of the things I post I won't 154 00:08:38,760 --> 00:08:41,840 Speaker 1: look at again because I'm like, oh, that's that's a lot. 155 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:44,880 Speaker 1: But most of the time I see it for the 156 00:08:44,960 --> 00:08:48,040 Speaker 1: funny joke that it is. I feel like people are 157 00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:50,040 Speaker 1: laughing with me. There are people who are laughing at 158 00:08:50,040 --> 00:08:53,200 Speaker 1: me and hate it and then again go nuts, whatever 159 00:08:53,240 --> 00:08:56,640 Speaker 1: blows your hair back. But for me it was just 160 00:08:57,760 --> 00:09:00,120 Speaker 1: not even a celebration of how I looked, But it's 161 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:04,520 Speaker 1: a celebration of something else, your spirit, other, my sense 162 00:09:04,559 --> 00:09:09,200 Speaker 1: of humor, my understanding of what's funny, my understanding of 163 00:09:09,480 --> 00:09:13,200 Speaker 1: knowing that that is unattainable lifestyle that we need to 164 00:09:13,200 --> 00:09:16,240 Speaker 1: stop trying to strive for and how funny is it 165 00:09:16,440 --> 00:09:19,560 Speaker 1: if I try and do it? That's that's the main 166 00:09:20,040 --> 00:09:22,680 Speaker 1: main point to it. I mean I do get if 167 00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:25,640 Speaker 1: I lose weight or whatever, I do get comments going 168 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:27,440 Speaker 1: You're looking too good now for this to work, And 169 00:09:27,480 --> 00:09:31,520 Speaker 1: I'm like, no, no, comedy, beauty, not oil and water, 170 00:09:32,000 --> 00:09:34,679 Speaker 1: smush that all in together and it makes up who 171 00:09:34,720 --> 00:09:36,800 Speaker 1: we are and saying with you know, smart and beautiful. 172 00:09:37,320 --> 00:09:40,880 Speaker 1: Where it just just showing the other the other side 173 00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:44,440 Speaker 1: of social media as well, trying to use it for 174 00:09:44,480 --> 00:09:46,880 Speaker 1: good and so you said that you are using it 175 00:09:46,960 --> 00:09:51,640 Speaker 1: in a positive way. But also two I think get 176 00:09:51,720 --> 00:09:57,000 Speaker 1: more opportunities. Have other people reached out to you, celest 177 00:09:57,080 --> 00:09:59,040 Speaker 1: and said, we think you're really funny. We'd like to 178 00:09:59,080 --> 00:10:02,480 Speaker 1: talk to you about a absolutely yeah. Well tom Ford 179 00:10:02,559 --> 00:10:05,559 Speaker 1: is a fine example. Yes, exactly when we made out 180 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:07,920 Speaker 1: and now we're a boyfriend and girlfriend forever and always 181 00:10:08,640 --> 00:10:11,360 Speaker 1: tell the story of tom Ford and what happened. Well, 182 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:16,960 Speaker 1: he emailed, well, his people emailed me three years ago 183 00:10:17,040 --> 00:10:22,640 Speaker 1: maybe and it was the subject line was tom Ford 184 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:26,960 Speaker 1: for tom Ford and Seleste or something like that, and 185 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:29,800 Speaker 1: in the email it said tom Ford adores you. He 186 00:10:29,840 --> 00:10:32,880 Speaker 1: thinks that you are amazing and would love to collaborate 187 00:10:32,920 --> 00:10:36,319 Speaker 1: one day best And you know the sound and email 188 00:10:36,400 --> 00:10:41,320 Speaker 1: makes when it comes into your inboxes. That sound had 189 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:44,840 Speaker 1: barely finished by the time I wrote, yes, what does 190 00:10:44,880 --> 00:10:46,160 Speaker 1: you need? When does he want it? On my way? 191 00:10:46,280 --> 00:10:50,479 Speaker 1: Like I just and see seed, my publicist, my publicist, publicist, 192 00:10:50,559 --> 00:10:53,000 Speaker 1: my mom, my dad, my nana, everyone that bullied me 193 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:56,280 Speaker 1: at school, Like I just see seed. Everyone in on 194 00:10:56,320 --> 00:10:58,560 Speaker 1: it and sent it back and went, yes, what do 195 00:10:58,559 --> 00:11:02,040 Speaker 1: you need? And we collaborate before a show where it 196 00:11:02,160 --> 00:11:04,800 Speaker 1: was a campaign that he has for Boys and Girls 197 00:11:04,840 --> 00:11:10,320 Speaker 1: Lipstick where two incredibly offensively attractive models are sitting at 198 00:11:10,360 --> 00:11:12,800 Speaker 1: an airport and then they just make out and there's 199 00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:15,520 Speaker 1: lipstick all over them. And tom Ford said to me, 200 00:11:15,600 --> 00:11:17,040 Speaker 1: I thought we could do one of it where you 201 00:11:17,080 --> 00:11:19,520 Speaker 1: and I make out. And I was like, yeah, that 202 00:11:19,559 --> 00:11:22,800 Speaker 1: works for me. That's fine, that's that's that's fine for me. 203 00:11:22,840 --> 00:11:24,600 Speaker 1: So we did it with them. I just did a 204 00:11:24,640 --> 00:11:26,600 Speaker 1: parody of being a model and walking down to tom 205 00:11:26,679 --> 00:11:31,720 Speaker 1: Ford catwalk, So we need to just walk here do 206 00:11:31,760 --> 00:11:33,920 Speaker 1: it again so I can tell you what you need 207 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:37,360 Speaker 1: to change. It's just liquid sunshine. That man, he really is. 208 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:40,520 Speaker 1: He had all the models come down and me come 209 00:11:40,559 --> 00:11:42,480 Speaker 1: down as well, and they got in my way and 210 00:11:42,520 --> 00:11:43,920 Speaker 1: I was like, get them out of the way, and 211 00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:46,480 Speaker 1: you know, and then when we were doing a fitting 212 00:11:47,400 --> 00:11:54,240 Speaker 1: three sucking, I'm cramping. It's on, it's on. Just we 213 00:11:54,360 --> 00:11:58,800 Speaker 1: had some tape. Do we have some duct take? We 214 00:11:58,880 --> 00:12:01,200 Speaker 1: cut it together in a way that hey, win, okay, 215 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:03,200 Speaker 1: thank you so last and he walked out and I 216 00:12:03,240 --> 00:12:07,480 Speaker 1: then just started to try and steal things. It's almost 217 00:12:07,480 --> 00:12:09,680 Speaker 1: like a tom Forde smaller sport. I think you're going 218 00:12:09,720 --> 00:12:11,920 Speaker 1: to take your things, and then we cut it that. 219 00:12:11,960 --> 00:12:13,880 Speaker 1: He came back in and he was like, Selest, as 220 00:12:13,960 --> 00:12:16,080 Speaker 1: someone trying to steal things. And I've got like eighteen 221 00:12:16,120 --> 00:12:19,319 Speaker 1: pairs of sunglasses on and handbags with like one shoe 222 00:12:19,360 --> 00:12:22,120 Speaker 1: in it. Well, it's so exciting to have all of 223 00:12:22,160 --> 00:12:24,080 Speaker 1: this happened to you. And when we come back, I 224 00:12:24,120 --> 00:12:27,160 Speaker 1: want to find out about your childhood how you got 225 00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 1: into this crazy line of work, but we'll talk about 226 00:12:30,080 --> 00:12:42,160 Speaker 1: that right after this. You grew up in New South 227 00:12:42,240 --> 00:12:46,760 Speaker 1: Wales far North coast. Good, Yes, we did our research, Selest, 228 00:12:46,840 --> 00:12:49,160 Speaker 1: So what was your childhood like? Was that a very 229 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:54,040 Speaker 1: sort of quaint, remote, rugged, beautiful place to grow up? 230 00:12:54,040 --> 00:12:56,719 Speaker 1: What was it like all of those things, but not rugged. No. 231 00:12:56,880 --> 00:13:00,680 Speaker 1: I grew up. I grew up right on the border 232 00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:03,800 Speaker 1: of New South Wales and Queensland, so right on the 233 00:13:03,840 --> 00:13:08,400 Speaker 1: beach Rainbow Bay, Kira or um Dieba, Like that's where 234 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:11,160 Speaker 1: all some of the best surfers in the world come from. 235 00:13:11,240 --> 00:13:15,200 Speaker 1: Joel Parkinson, Mick Fanning, Stephanie Gilmour, Michael Klupo, Rabbit buff 236 00:13:15,160 --> 00:13:18,640 Speaker 1: follow me. They're all world champion surfers and they've come 237 00:13:19,120 --> 00:13:22,800 Speaker 1: from there. Um And I never surfed in my life. 238 00:13:22,960 --> 00:13:25,880 Speaker 1: I was a dancer when I was little, so um. 239 00:13:25,920 --> 00:13:27,840 Speaker 1: But it was just a really beautiful area. I grew 240 00:13:27,920 --> 00:13:31,120 Speaker 1: up in it, specifically in a place called Terranora, beautiful 241 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:33,960 Speaker 1: house that my dad built and my mom designed. So. 242 00:13:33,960 --> 00:13:36,160 Speaker 1: I have an older sister, Olivia, who was three and 243 00:13:36,160 --> 00:13:39,439 Speaker 1: a half years older than me. That people always ask 244 00:13:39,480 --> 00:13:41,480 Speaker 1: who's older, and I'm like, she is older, she's three 245 00:13:41,520 --> 00:13:44,440 Speaker 1: and out she loves it. Um. Yeah, And I danced 246 00:13:44,440 --> 00:13:47,040 Speaker 1: a lot as a kid and just was always quite atmatic. 247 00:13:47,240 --> 00:13:51,280 Speaker 1: And it sounds like your parents. I read a sweet 248 00:13:51,320 --> 00:13:56,040 Speaker 1: story about how they didn't want to medicate you even 249 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:59,680 Speaker 1: though because I've got a d and that they and 250 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:03,560 Speaker 1: Eldan you a certain confidence and loving who you are 251 00:14:03,760 --> 00:14:07,760 Speaker 1: for who you are, and not wanting to alter kind 252 00:14:07,800 --> 00:14:12,920 Speaker 1: of your your thing, your chemistry, your persona, your spirit. Yeah. 253 00:14:12,960 --> 00:14:16,600 Speaker 1: And um, I also don't really think they had much 254 00:14:16,640 --> 00:14:19,760 Speaker 1: of a choice because I was I'm a lot and 255 00:14:19,800 --> 00:14:22,640 Speaker 1: I like being a lot. Is your sister a lot? Yeah? 256 00:14:22,960 --> 00:14:24,760 Speaker 1: Both of you. Yeah, we are a lot, But so 257 00:14:24,960 --> 00:14:27,320 Speaker 1: is my mom, and then when she's not, so is 258 00:14:27,320 --> 00:14:31,200 Speaker 1: my dad. So we're all it's a lot, big personality. Yeah, 259 00:14:31,440 --> 00:14:33,880 Speaker 1: I mean my dad's a lot more kind of quiet 260 00:14:33,920 --> 00:14:37,200 Speaker 1: and subtle with his humor. And my mom is so 261 00:14:37,280 --> 00:14:39,080 Speaker 1: funny when she knows she has an audience and she 262 00:14:39,160 --> 00:14:41,440 Speaker 1: knows people are listening. She's a bit sassy like that. 263 00:14:41,880 --> 00:14:45,400 Speaker 1: But um, yeah, I remember hearing them talk to the doctor. 264 00:14:45,480 --> 00:14:47,480 Speaker 1: So I was diagnosed with a d D. And they 265 00:14:47,480 --> 00:14:52,000 Speaker 1: were talking to the doctor about me being medicated. And 266 00:14:52,160 --> 00:14:55,680 Speaker 1: I was sixteen when I was diagnosed. That's quite late 267 00:14:56,240 --> 00:15:00,000 Speaker 1: to be medicated for a d D. It usually happens young. 268 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:02,840 Speaker 1: Go well, I think, so, you know, younger in your life, 269 00:15:02,880 --> 00:15:05,600 Speaker 1: earlier in your life. I'm quite grateful that it didn't 270 00:15:05,640 --> 00:15:09,400 Speaker 1: for me because I struggled a bit. I struggled. I 271 00:15:09,440 --> 00:15:12,200 Speaker 1: was bullied a little bit at school, and I, like 272 00:15:12,240 --> 00:15:13,880 Speaker 1: I say, I was a lot. I couldn't sit still 273 00:15:13,920 --> 00:15:15,480 Speaker 1: for five minutes. And it got to a point where 274 00:15:15,480 --> 00:15:17,120 Speaker 1: teachers when I'd go to walk into class and go, 275 00:15:17,200 --> 00:15:19,520 Speaker 1: let's just not worry about it today, and I go sure, 276 00:15:19,560 --> 00:15:21,920 Speaker 1: and I'd just sit outside. Really yeah, because it was 277 00:15:22,240 --> 00:15:27,360 Speaker 1: I was distracting and disruptive. Yeah, absolutely, So I heard 278 00:15:27,360 --> 00:15:29,440 Speaker 1: my parents saying, well, you know, when we did the 279 00:15:29,440 --> 00:15:35,040 Speaker 1: test and I was very much had um and I 280 00:15:35,080 --> 00:15:36,400 Speaker 1: had to sit in the waiting room. I heard my 281 00:15:36,440 --> 00:15:40,720 Speaker 1: mom saying, we just don't want her to change. We 282 00:15:40,800 --> 00:15:44,720 Speaker 1: don't want drugs to change her. We just wanted to 283 00:15:44,800 --> 00:15:47,560 Speaker 1: be a bit easier for her at school. And the 284 00:15:47,600 --> 00:15:49,960 Speaker 1: doctor's like, you know, this won't change her in any way. 285 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:53,200 Speaker 1: And I remember my mom saying, we know she's full on, 286 00:15:54,120 --> 00:15:57,200 Speaker 1: but we like that about her. I'm getting emotional thinking 287 00:15:57,240 --> 00:15:59,040 Speaker 1: about it, and I'll never forget that as a sixteen 288 00:15:59,120 --> 00:16:03,440 Speaker 1: year old girl hearing at it was so lovely. And then, honestly, 289 00:16:03,520 --> 00:16:07,360 Speaker 1: I took the first tablet of Writtlan different like a sorry, 290 00:16:07,400 --> 00:16:10,680 Speaker 1: same person, just I could. I sat and read a 291 00:16:10,840 --> 00:16:14,160 Speaker 1: paragraph in this book about a d D and mom 292 00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:15,880 Speaker 1: and dad just watched me and they cried because I've 293 00:16:15,880 --> 00:16:18,560 Speaker 1: never sat and read anything in my life. When this 294 00:16:18,680 --> 00:16:21,920 Speaker 1: was around the same time that your your mom said, 295 00:16:21,640 --> 00:16:24,560 Speaker 1: we like the way she is, but yeah, they put 296 00:16:24,600 --> 00:16:27,160 Speaker 1: you on medication anywhere. Well, yes, but they put me 297 00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:29,680 Speaker 1: on medication. And sorry, they put me on medication because 298 00:16:29,720 --> 00:16:32,120 Speaker 1: the doctor said it all it will It's not going 299 00:16:32,160 --> 00:16:35,200 Speaker 1: to change her. It's just going to make her focus, 300 00:16:35,240 --> 00:16:37,600 Speaker 1: and it's going to make up that chemical in her 301 00:16:37,640 --> 00:16:40,320 Speaker 1: brain that she doesn't have that will help her to 302 00:16:40,440 --> 00:16:45,240 Speaker 1: sit and listen in class and know how to read 303 00:16:45,720 --> 00:16:48,280 Speaker 1: a story or write a story. It's just going to 304 00:16:48,360 --> 00:16:52,160 Speaker 1: help her. And exactly what happened, I didn't change at all. 305 00:16:52,480 --> 00:16:55,400 Speaker 1: I could just focus, and that's when I started writing jokes, 306 00:16:55,400 --> 00:16:58,240 Speaker 1: and that's when I could kind of sit and really 307 00:16:58,280 --> 00:17:00,320 Speaker 1: get into what it is I wanted to do. So 308 00:17:00,440 --> 00:17:02,360 Speaker 1: tell me what it is you wanted to do and 309 00:17:02,400 --> 00:17:06,040 Speaker 1: how you did it. Um. I went to drama school, 310 00:17:06,119 --> 00:17:09,240 Speaker 1: so I've always written jokes and just always been funny 311 00:17:09,240 --> 00:17:13,639 Speaker 1: and loud, and I always thought it's not really because 312 00:17:13,680 --> 00:17:16,800 Speaker 1: I think comedy comes quite easily to me. I find 313 00:17:16,800 --> 00:17:20,119 Speaker 1: it quite easy. So for some silly reason, I think, well, 314 00:17:20,160 --> 00:17:22,600 Speaker 1: that's not acting. It needs to be hard and torturous 315 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:26,199 Speaker 1: and really you know the challenge every night or every 316 00:17:26,280 --> 00:17:29,760 Speaker 1: day on set. So I went to drama school for 317 00:17:29,840 --> 00:17:32,240 Speaker 1: three years, graduated and started doing it like a few 318 00:17:32,240 --> 00:17:35,360 Speaker 1: little comedy shows, not stand up but acting, because I'm 319 00:17:35,640 --> 00:17:39,680 Speaker 1: a trained actor first and foremost an actor. And then um, 320 00:17:39,720 --> 00:17:43,320 Speaker 1: I got a role on a television show in Australia 321 00:17:43,320 --> 00:17:45,080 Speaker 1: called All Saints, which was kind of like The Gray's 322 00:17:45,080 --> 00:17:50,840 Speaker 1: Anatomy without the doctor, without the McDreamy. Um unfortunately. Yeah. 323 00:17:51,040 --> 00:17:54,480 Speaker 1: And then I was on that for five years and 324 00:17:54,960 --> 00:17:57,359 Speaker 1: kind of played a bit of a lighter character to 325 00:17:57,440 --> 00:17:59,760 Speaker 1: everyone else, but it was a drama. It was a 326 00:17:59,800 --> 00:18:02,160 Speaker 1: d on the show absolutely. And then it was my 327 00:18:02,480 --> 00:18:06,840 Speaker 1: beautiful friend Mark Priestley, who has since passed away. He's 328 00:18:06,920 --> 00:18:10,400 Speaker 1: so sad. I read about that. He was a very 329 00:18:10,480 --> 00:18:14,199 Speaker 1: very close friend of your tattoo to his took his 330 00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:16,919 Speaker 1: own life. Yeah, he killed himself. Yeah, it was that 331 00:18:17,040 --> 00:18:20,119 Speaker 1: was a lot to deal with that. He was he 332 00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:23,720 Speaker 1: an actor, yes, one, I thought, I tell his name. 333 00:18:23,760 --> 00:18:27,480 Speaker 1: I'm sure he was quite well known in Australia. He was. Yeah, 334 00:18:27,840 --> 00:18:30,439 Speaker 1: this is before all Ozzie started coming over and taking 335 00:18:30,440 --> 00:18:34,600 Speaker 1: over Hollywood. Um, he was incredible, and he was the one. 336 00:18:34,680 --> 00:18:36,960 Speaker 1: He used to just come around to my house. I'd 337 00:18:37,000 --> 00:18:40,960 Speaker 1: like three am with a video camera and go, let's 338 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:43,280 Speaker 1: just shoot stuff. And I'm like, yes, let's do that. 339 00:18:43,359 --> 00:18:46,600 Speaker 1: And we just ship stupid sketches and we think they 340 00:18:46,640 --> 00:18:48,440 Speaker 1: were the funniest things in the world. And I always 341 00:18:48,440 --> 00:18:52,640 Speaker 1: thought he was so funny and so wonderful, and then 342 00:18:52,960 --> 00:18:55,720 Speaker 1: and so did everyone. He was very well known in 343 00:18:56,000 --> 00:19:00,800 Speaker 1: the industry and loved and sought after. And then the 344 00:19:00,800 --> 00:19:03,800 Speaker 1: fact that he said to me, I'll never forget this conversation. 345 00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:06,480 Speaker 1: We're sitting on set in between takes of you know, 346 00:19:06,600 --> 00:19:10,320 Speaker 1: someone's dying on their hospital bed and this show really dramatic, 347 00:19:10,800 --> 00:19:14,240 Speaker 1: but in between you know, lighting setups or something, Mark, 348 00:19:14,280 --> 00:19:15,720 Speaker 1: and I was saying there just like writing, like a 349 00:19:15,720 --> 00:19:18,600 Speaker 1: little sketch, and he went, maybe you should say and 350 00:19:18,640 --> 00:19:20,199 Speaker 1: then you just stopped, looked at me, went no, you 351 00:19:20,240 --> 00:19:22,640 Speaker 1: know what you're doing and I was like, no, no write. 352 00:19:22,640 --> 00:19:24,240 Speaker 1: He goes, no, you know what you're doing, and then 353 00:19:24,280 --> 00:19:29,000 Speaker 1: he went, you know that, right, You're you're amazing at comedy. 354 00:19:29,280 --> 00:19:32,159 Speaker 1: No one can do what you do. And He's like, 355 00:19:32,200 --> 00:19:34,200 Speaker 1: because I was always like, ohm, whatever, it's just boring, 356 00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:37,600 Speaker 1: and he goes, no, that's boring. You not understanding what 357 00:19:37,680 --> 00:19:40,439 Speaker 1: you can do is boring now, so just get on 358 00:19:40,480 --> 00:19:43,359 Speaker 1: with it, and that chang bang that day on at 359 00:19:43,440 --> 00:19:47,560 Speaker 1: least lent into it, lent into my strengths, lent into 360 00:19:47,600 --> 00:19:50,840 Speaker 1: what I loved and kind of knew I was good at. 361 00:19:51,359 --> 00:19:55,080 Speaker 1: So where did your career take you after that? Unemployment? 362 00:19:55,160 --> 00:19:59,240 Speaker 1: For a little while, I was then a writer on 363 00:20:00,359 --> 00:20:02,719 Speaker 1: a show, a really bad show that we don't need 364 00:20:02,760 --> 00:20:05,560 Speaker 1: to talk about, and then um, I had babies, and 365 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:10,560 Speaker 1: then it was when I had my second son, first time, 366 00:20:11,560 --> 00:20:14,920 Speaker 1: first son. But my friend called me and said she's 367 00:20:14,960 --> 00:20:18,080 Speaker 1: doing some stand up and I was like, good on you, 368 00:20:18,160 --> 00:20:20,040 Speaker 1: because I'd always been told I should do stand up. 369 00:20:20,080 --> 00:20:22,840 Speaker 1: And I was like, yes, you are, tell me where 370 00:20:22,840 --> 00:20:26,199 Speaker 1: you're doing it. I'll send flowers. I'm so excited. And 371 00:20:26,240 --> 00:20:29,440 Speaker 1: I was like, I know what's happening, I know what's coming. 372 00:20:29,480 --> 00:20:30,879 Speaker 1: And she said, I want you to open for me, 373 00:20:31,680 --> 00:20:33,239 Speaker 1: and I was she got me at a good time 374 00:20:33,240 --> 00:20:36,679 Speaker 1: because I was sleep deprived. I had a newborn, and 375 00:20:36,720 --> 00:20:39,639 Speaker 1: I went. She goes, it's like five minutes, it's in 376 00:20:39,680 --> 00:20:44,920 Speaker 1: a small space. It's in the Sydney Fringe Festival five 377 00:20:44,960 --> 00:20:48,720 Speaker 1: minutes and I went okay, no, yeah, no, I wan't 378 00:20:48,800 --> 00:20:52,600 Speaker 1: shut yeah, yes, hang up, and she just hung up 379 00:20:52,720 --> 00:20:55,119 Speaker 1: because the last thing I said was yes. And so 380 00:20:55,200 --> 00:20:58,600 Speaker 1: then I went dad, And so I had five minutes 381 00:20:59,119 --> 00:21:00,399 Speaker 1: and I got up and I did it. And it 382 00:21:00,480 --> 00:21:02,080 Speaker 1: was one of you know, I hear those stories like 383 00:21:02,560 --> 00:21:06,359 Speaker 1: Shirley Temple or whatever. You're terrified, but then you open 384 00:21:06,440 --> 00:21:09,920 Speaker 1: the curtain and you see the microphone and the spotlight 385 00:21:10,520 --> 00:21:14,360 Speaker 1: and you think, I'm never leaving. I will die up here. 386 00:21:14,400 --> 00:21:17,200 Speaker 1: This is amazing. And I was supposed to be five minutes. 387 00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:19,800 Speaker 1: And after fifteen minutes she was kind of side stage 388 00:21:19,800 --> 00:21:22,800 Speaker 1: going get off. And then that was it. That was 389 00:21:22,800 --> 00:21:25,960 Speaker 1: me done, and and and obviously you wouldn't feel this 390 00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:30,680 Speaker 1: way if the reception wasn't incredible to your humor, and 391 00:21:30,720 --> 00:21:34,000 Speaker 1: you did you and then did you sort of transition 392 00:21:34,160 --> 00:21:38,520 Speaker 1: to stand up? Well? No. Then Instagram started coming more 393 00:21:38,560 --> 00:21:40,479 Speaker 1: and more, like I did more, and I was posting 394 00:21:40,520 --> 00:21:43,280 Speaker 1: twice a day every day on Instagram because I knew 395 00:21:43,280 --> 00:21:44,719 Speaker 1: it was good. I knew I wanted it out there. 396 00:21:44,760 --> 00:21:47,000 Speaker 1: I wanted people. I sent to some of my friends 397 00:21:47,000 --> 00:21:49,639 Speaker 1: who had like ten thousand followers, who were well known actors. 398 00:21:49,640 --> 00:21:51,240 Speaker 1: I was like, can you repost this for me? I 399 00:21:51,280 --> 00:21:53,680 Speaker 1: really want to. I think it's something good and it's fine. 400 00:21:54,040 --> 00:21:57,000 Speaker 1: All my friends thought it was hilarious, and so I had, 401 00:21:57,080 --> 00:21:59,000 Speaker 1: you know, excellent friends going shock, this is my friend 402 00:21:59,080 --> 00:22:02,440 Speaker 1: Celeste and posting out for me. And then I kind 403 00:22:02,440 --> 00:22:05,360 Speaker 1: of got to a point where I was like, I'm 404 00:22:05,480 --> 00:22:08,440 Speaker 1: very I'm very proactive, always have been. I'm a hustler. 405 00:22:12,800 --> 00:22:16,600 Speaker 1: I mean, I'm a hustler. And I remember sitting at 406 00:22:16,640 --> 00:22:21,480 Speaker 1: my computer and just went, well, there's nothing really coming in, 407 00:22:22,440 --> 00:22:25,280 Speaker 1: and I'm there's a lot I'm putting out and I'm 408 00:22:25,280 --> 00:22:28,320 Speaker 1: getting a lot of people wanted to interview me about it, 409 00:22:28,440 --> 00:22:32,520 Speaker 1: and it was really great instant gratification, and I was 410 00:22:32,600 --> 00:22:35,960 Speaker 1: like cracking. I mean, I may have been at a 411 00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:39,680 Speaker 1: million followers by now. It grew really quickly, and I went, 412 00:22:39,960 --> 00:22:43,800 Speaker 1: I want to I want to prove myself. I'm I 413 00:22:43,880 --> 00:22:45,640 Speaker 1: know what I'm doing. And I just in that moment, 414 00:22:45,680 --> 00:22:49,359 Speaker 1: went to and just booked a theater in Sydney in Australia. 415 00:22:49,440 --> 00:22:51,440 Speaker 1: I was living just out of Sydney at that time. 416 00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:54,840 Speaker 1: I had just had my second baby, and I was like, 417 00:22:55,280 --> 00:22:56,760 Speaker 1: I want to book a theater. So I booked two 418 00:22:56,920 --> 00:23:00,440 Speaker 1: nights at this theater called the Giant Dwarf in Red 419 00:23:00,440 --> 00:23:04,240 Speaker 1: Phone in Sydney, and then went shit, oh god, Now 420 00:23:04,400 --> 00:23:06,960 Speaker 1: it was three months from that date when I've got 421 00:23:06,960 --> 00:23:09,439 Speaker 1: nothing on, I want to do a show, and I 422 00:23:09,480 --> 00:23:11,639 Speaker 1: didn't assault it out and it killed and I toured 423 00:23:11,680 --> 00:23:19,480 Speaker 1: it and now I'm making out tom Ford when we 424 00:23:19,560 --> 00:23:22,520 Speaker 1: come back. How Celesque gave back to her native land 425 00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:44,800 Speaker 1: in its time of need. Now to Australia, where they're 426 00:23:44,800 --> 00:23:47,879 Speaker 1: facing those massive fires already among the worst in that 427 00:23:47,920 --> 00:23:53,440 Speaker 1: country's history. Haunting images flames, plumes of smoke, and firefighters 428 00:23:53,840 --> 00:23:58,920 Speaker 1: desperately battling walls of fire. Another costly and deadly day 429 00:23:58,960 --> 00:24:04,000 Speaker 1: in this month longer testrophe, the terrifying scale of Australia's 430 00:24:04,040 --> 00:24:07,879 Speaker 1: Bush five as Austro is beginning to image. Bush Fires 431 00:24:07,920 --> 00:24:11,280 Speaker 1: are not new to Australia, but this fire season has 432 00:24:11,320 --> 00:24:14,680 Speaker 1: proved to be one of the country's worst ever. By 433 00:24:14,720 --> 00:24:17,720 Speaker 1: some estimates, as many as twenty eight people have died, 434 00:24:18,080 --> 00:24:20,879 Speaker 1: more than twelve million acres that burned to the ground, 435 00:24:21,359 --> 00:24:24,639 Speaker 1: and thousands of homes have been destroyed. And then, of 436 00:24:24,680 --> 00:24:28,960 Speaker 1: course there were all the animals. Because the devastation was 437 00:24:29,040 --> 00:24:32,520 Speaker 1: so personal for Celest, she did the only thing she 438 00:24:32,560 --> 00:24:39,400 Speaker 1: could think of. She turned to her Instagram following, you raised, 439 00:24:39,440 --> 00:24:41,920 Speaker 1: I believe and correct me if I'm wrong, Celest, thirty 440 00:24:41,960 --> 00:24:47,000 Speaker 1: million dollars maybe more. Well, I raised fifty one and 441 00:24:47,000 --> 00:24:50,280 Speaker 1: a half million dollars Australian, so that might be like 442 00:24:50,359 --> 00:24:52,560 Speaker 1: forty eight American dollars. I don't know, because well it's 443 00:24:52,600 --> 00:24:56,359 Speaker 1: it's an amazing amount of money because of the wildfires 444 00:24:56,560 --> 00:25:02,040 Speaker 1: in Australia and this this affected you very personally, not 445 00:25:02,080 --> 00:25:06,159 Speaker 1: only because you're from Australia, but you had friends and 446 00:25:06,240 --> 00:25:11,840 Speaker 1: family members and you watched their homes go up and small. Right, Well, 447 00:25:12,160 --> 00:25:15,760 Speaker 1: so my mother in law. It is in Eden, which 448 00:25:15,760 --> 00:25:18,480 Speaker 1: is the complete other end of the state from where 449 00:25:18,480 --> 00:25:20,760 Speaker 1: we live. It's the far South coast of New South 450 00:25:20,840 --> 00:25:23,000 Speaker 1: Wales and we're on the far North coast, and so 451 00:25:23,040 --> 00:25:26,439 Speaker 1: it's where RP my husband is France his home and 452 00:25:27,000 --> 00:25:30,240 Speaker 1: we were there for Christmas and I remember going up 453 00:25:30,320 --> 00:25:32,439 Speaker 1: up the street or something and going, God, this some 454 00:25:32,520 --> 00:25:34,919 Speaker 1: smile and everyone we knew there were fires kind of 455 00:25:34,960 --> 00:25:39,720 Speaker 1: around and then it was terrible and terrible like in Canberra, 456 00:25:39,800 --> 00:25:43,160 Speaker 1: our capital in South Australia and over on Kangaroo Island, 457 00:25:43,200 --> 00:25:47,040 Speaker 1: like it wasn't good. But I was like, oh, what 458 00:25:47,280 --> 00:25:49,400 Speaker 1: is bad? And then kind of going the smoke's really 459 00:25:49,440 --> 00:25:51,879 Speaker 1: full on here. And then we left. After Christmas, I 460 00:25:51,920 --> 00:25:58,000 Speaker 1: went home and it swung. It came really really badly, 461 00:25:58,040 --> 00:26:00,840 Speaker 1: and my husband's cousin lost her home. We've lost a 462 00:26:00,880 --> 00:26:06,960 Speaker 1: billion wildlife. So I saw my mother in law, who 463 00:26:07,040 --> 00:26:10,760 Speaker 1: was a very very strong woman, like I had sixteen 464 00:26:10,800 --> 00:26:13,919 Speaker 1: years with this excellent woman and she is a strong lady, 465 00:26:14,119 --> 00:26:17,520 Speaker 1: and she was not okay and she was panicking, and 466 00:26:17,800 --> 00:26:20,919 Speaker 1: that really it really struck me. And the thing is 467 00:26:20,960 --> 00:26:24,800 Speaker 1: she's so she's so well informed and so hands on 468 00:26:24,920 --> 00:26:28,200 Speaker 1: joy that she was like, no one's here. There isn't 469 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:31,159 Speaker 1: a helicopter in the sky, there isn't any a d 470 00:26:31,280 --> 00:26:33,240 Speaker 1: F on the on the ground, which is not the 471 00:26:33,280 --> 00:26:35,520 Speaker 1: fault of the a d F. It's a it's a 472 00:26:35,560 --> 00:26:40,320 Speaker 1: government thing. There's no one here, and and I that's 473 00:26:40,359 --> 00:26:42,600 Speaker 1: when I went, oh my gosh. And that's when I 474 00:26:42,640 --> 00:26:46,080 Speaker 1: started the fundraiser and I just said, please help anyway 475 00:26:46,119 --> 00:26:48,800 Speaker 1: you can. This is terrifying, and started a goal of 476 00:26:48,840 --> 00:26:53,920 Speaker 1: thirty dollars. Because I also saw people internationally going how 477 00:26:53,960 --> 00:26:57,439 Speaker 1: can we help because I've got a big following, especially internationally, 478 00:26:58,480 --> 00:27:01,560 Speaker 1: people I don't people wanted to they didn't know what 479 00:27:01,600 --> 00:27:04,520 Speaker 1: to do exactly. And I mean there's obviously other ways 480 00:27:04,560 --> 00:27:06,600 Speaker 1: they are the places they could have donated to it, 481 00:27:06,680 --> 00:27:08,600 Speaker 1: but the way I ended up doing it was just 482 00:27:08,720 --> 00:27:13,800 Speaker 1: really straightforward. It was just a kind of so I click, donate, done, 483 00:27:14,040 --> 00:27:18,000 Speaker 1: and I think that's kind of what people needed as well. Um. 484 00:27:18,080 --> 00:27:20,320 Speaker 1: And then yet we also my husband and I kept 485 00:27:20,359 --> 00:27:25,320 Speaker 1: everyone very updated on my Instagram stories, which we're getting 486 00:27:26,000 --> 00:27:29,280 Speaker 1: millions of views my stories because people like this is 487 00:27:29,280 --> 00:27:33,280 Speaker 1: how we're staying updated, which is a really daunting thing 488 00:27:33,280 --> 00:27:34,840 Speaker 1: because you're like, god, I need to make sure I 489 00:27:34,840 --> 00:27:38,400 Speaker 1: know what I'm talking about. And it's a big responsibility, absolutely, 490 00:27:38,440 --> 00:27:42,760 Speaker 1: but it does show how media consumption has changed absolute ramatically. 491 00:27:42,840 --> 00:27:47,200 Speaker 1: It's instantaneous. It's it's um, you know what do they 492 00:27:47,280 --> 00:27:50,959 Speaker 1: call it, uh, citizen created? You know it's not you're 493 00:27:51,040 --> 00:27:53,720 Speaker 1: not a journalist, no, And it's power to the people. 494 00:27:53,840 --> 00:27:56,679 Speaker 1: I keep saying that I keep with the amount of 495 00:27:56,760 --> 00:28:01,199 Speaker 1: money raised, and also I would post about it. I 496 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:03,520 Speaker 1: had so many people going, oh, this is also happening. 497 00:28:03,520 --> 00:28:05,240 Speaker 1: I'm like Okay, cool, that's good to know. When I'll 498 00:28:05,240 --> 00:28:07,480 Speaker 1: make sure that people know about that, or you'll add 499 00:28:07,520 --> 00:28:09,800 Speaker 1: that to your story exactly, and then you could give 500 00:28:09,840 --> 00:28:13,200 Speaker 1: a very much a three sixty view of the country. 501 00:28:12,600 --> 00:28:15,639 Speaker 1: And I was also acutely aware of letting people know 502 00:28:15,680 --> 00:28:17,560 Speaker 1: that I am not the face of this, I'm not 503 00:28:17,600 --> 00:28:21,359 Speaker 1: the savior of this. I'm I'm you. I'm that person 504 00:28:21,440 --> 00:28:25,000 Speaker 1: over there. I'm scared, and this is my kind of 505 00:28:25,040 --> 00:28:27,800 Speaker 1: experience of the whole thing. And then we end up 506 00:28:27,840 --> 00:28:30,880 Speaker 1: getting to, oh my god, fifty one and a half 507 00:28:30,920 --> 00:28:34,919 Speaker 1: million dollars. That's amazing. And then it turns out I've 508 00:28:34,920 --> 00:28:37,600 Speaker 1: saved the world. No, that's not true. Well, but I mean, 509 00:28:37,720 --> 00:28:41,880 Speaker 1: I'm sure you you helped a great deal. Well, it 510 00:28:41,960 --> 00:28:46,000 Speaker 1: was extraordinary as in Australia, our firefighters, majority of our 511 00:28:46,000 --> 00:28:51,360 Speaker 1: firefighters a volunteer, and there were stories coming through of 512 00:28:52,320 --> 00:28:57,680 Speaker 1: I'm talking eighty foot flames in the sky coming that 513 00:28:57,760 --> 00:29:02,040 Speaker 1: will go through over a few kilometers in fifteen minutes 514 00:29:02,440 --> 00:29:04,400 Speaker 1: and you can't. You can't put that out of human being. 515 00:29:04,400 --> 00:29:06,480 Speaker 1: Can't put that out that has to burn, You can't. 516 00:29:07,040 --> 00:29:10,560 Speaker 1: But they're standing there in shoes that I've got on, 517 00:29:10,680 --> 00:29:13,920 Speaker 1: just sneakers, and like some of them putting just putting 518 00:29:13,920 --> 00:29:16,320 Speaker 1: their hand over their mouth because they don't have the equipment. 519 00:29:17,240 --> 00:29:20,320 Speaker 1: So that's why I that's why I chose the New 520 00:29:20,360 --> 00:29:25,520 Speaker 1: South Wales RFS to it was the trust of RFS, 521 00:29:25,560 --> 00:29:31,200 Speaker 1: the yeah, New South Wales Rural Fire Service, um, so 522 00:29:31,480 --> 00:29:34,040 Speaker 1: the volunteers can. Then all the money then goes to 523 00:29:34,240 --> 00:29:37,760 Speaker 1: the brigade, so then they go out and get the 524 00:29:37,840 --> 00:29:42,080 Speaker 1: equipment that they need. Hopefully finally the fires got under 525 00:29:42,120 --> 00:29:45,320 Speaker 1: control and are now out. Celest they're out because now 526 00:29:45,360 --> 00:29:50,760 Speaker 1: we're underwater. Well tell everyone listening what has replaced the problem, 527 00:29:50,840 --> 00:29:54,320 Speaker 1: because now it's flooding. Obviously we're flooded in I showed 528 00:29:54,360 --> 00:29:59,719 Speaker 1: you a photo before we started middle of Sydney. The 529 00:29:59,720 --> 00:30:03,280 Speaker 1: sea he and water is up to the windows of 530 00:30:03,320 --> 00:30:07,520 Speaker 1: the cars were flooded. The fires are all out, but 531 00:30:07,600 --> 00:30:12,920 Speaker 1: now we're flash flooding. It's it's the deforestation and nothing 532 00:30:13,000 --> 00:30:15,600 Speaker 1: there to kind of I think. So I haven't I've 533 00:30:15,680 --> 00:30:18,240 Speaker 1: been here since. I mean, it was torrential rain when 534 00:30:18,240 --> 00:30:20,760 Speaker 1: I left to fly here to the States, so I 535 00:30:20,800 --> 00:30:23,840 Speaker 1: haven't been home to see exactly what it is. But 536 00:30:24,000 --> 00:30:27,360 Speaker 1: it looks as though, yeah, that's that's what it is. 537 00:30:27,720 --> 00:30:31,560 Speaker 1: It's it's terrifying. It's terrifying, and I'm all, I now 538 00:30:31,920 --> 00:30:35,160 Speaker 1: goes all right, I'll start another fundraiser. I'll raise another 539 00:30:35,160 --> 00:30:36,959 Speaker 1: fifty one million dollars, and said, I don't know what 540 00:30:37,000 --> 00:30:40,239 Speaker 1: to do. I really don't. It's quite scary. Do you 541 00:30:40,280 --> 00:30:42,600 Speaker 1: feel like the world is a scary place right now? 542 00:30:42,640 --> 00:30:45,960 Speaker 1: I mean, obviously it's it's great to have moments of 543 00:30:46,040 --> 00:30:49,600 Speaker 1: levity and relief through people like you and your humor, 544 00:30:49,800 --> 00:30:53,880 Speaker 1: but so many friends of mine feel that we're in 545 00:30:53,960 --> 00:30:57,959 Speaker 1: such dire streets in so many different ways. I agree. 546 00:30:58,200 --> 00:31:01,360 Speaker 1: I think it's a very scary time. I do. However, 547 00:31:02,400 --> 00:31:04,120 Speaker 1: I feel that there is a bit of a ground 548 00:31:04,160 --> 00:31:09,600 Speaker 1: swell going on at home in Australia, and I'm here 549 00:31:09,640 --> 00:31:11,800 Speaker 1: a lot, and I've been here a lot in the 550 00:31:11,840 --> 00:31:15,480 Speaker 1: past few years when you now have a different president 551 00:31:15,560 --> 00:31:18,360 Speaker 1: and everything. And when I first came over when he 552 00:31:18,440 --> 00:31:21,960 Speaker 1: was first in office, I was like, oh, this is terrifying, 553 00:31:22,040 --> 00:31:24,200 Speaker 1: this is a this is a real you just feel 554 00:31:24,240 --> 00:31:28,440 Speaker 1: it was very hostile. But since coming back more and 555 00:31:28,520 --> 00:31:30,400 Speaker 1: going home, you know, back and forth and over to 556 00:31:30,600 --> 00:31:33,160 Speaker 1: the UK as well, I feel like there's a real 557 00:31:34,040 --> 00:31:36,800 Speaker 1: ground swell happening. And I think the Internet has a 558 00:31:36,840 --> 00:31:38,680 Speaker 1: lot to do with that because we can all you 559 00:31:38,720 --> 00:31:40,240 Speaker 1: and I can sit here and talk now, and we 560 00:31:40,280 --> 00:31:43,920 Speaker 1: can all reach out to each other more. But I'm 561 00:31:43,960 --> 00:31:46,680 Speaker 1: just having this thing where I'm like, like I said before, 562 00:31:46,760 --> 00:31:50,200 Speaker 1: power to the people, and I feel like that's really 563 00:31:50,240 --> 00:31:53,800 Speaker 1: starting to bubble, which it needs to bubble quicker. So 564 00:31:54,400 --> 00:31:57,320 Speaker 1: before we go, what is your dream man? Where do 565 00:31:57,360 --> 00:32:00,480 Speaker 1: you want to go from here? Celeste Barber? My goal 566 00:32:00,520 --> 00:32:03,120 Speaker 1: in life is to play the King in Hamilton's. I 567 00:32:03,120 --> 00:32:06,040 Speaker 1: would love to play. I can't think um and I'm 568 00:32:06,080 --> 00:32:08,520 Speaker 1: not a man, but I want to. I want to 569 00:32:08,560 --> 00:32:11,400 Speaker 1: try and find a way to make that a character 570 00:32:11,520 --> 00:32:13,600 Speaker 1: choice for that character to play the King, and I 571 00:32:13,640 --> 00:32:16,800 Speaker 1: think it's the most incredible role ever. And everything I 572 00:32:16,840 --> 00:32:19,600 Speaker 1: do I do from the ground up, and that's really 573 00:32:19,600 --> 00:32:24,920 Speaker 1: exciting and and amazing and exhausting. So I'm really like 574 00:32:25,040 --> 00:32:26,640 Speaker 1: the idea of just being given a script and a 575 00:32:26,640 --> 00:32:28,720 Speaker 1: call sheet now and just turning up to a film 576 00:32:28,840 --> 00:32:31,160 Speaker 1: that would be lovely. And because you have a busy 577 00:32:31,240 --> 00:32:34,280 Speaker 1: life and two little boys that are still seven and 578 00:32:34,520 --> 00:32:38,200 Speaker 1: eight and nearly six, eight and six, so you've got 579 00:32:38,200 --> 00:32:41,400 Speaker 1: a you've got a busy life. With your hashtag hard husband. 580 00:32:41,480 --> 00:32:45,960 Speaker 1: It's so hot he is isn't heat? It makes me 581 00:32:46,560 --> 00:32:49,320 Speaker 1: people come and say to you, like, good on your 582 00:32:49,360 --> 00:32:53,440 Speaker 1: for a snag, and yeah, well done, congratulations because he's hot. Yeah. 583 00:32:53,640 --> 00:32:56,000 Speaker 1: But it's also interesting when my husband drops our sons 584 00:32:56,040 --> 00:33:00,520 Speaker 1: at school, when someone in grade three walks paston guys, 585 00:33:00,600 --> 00:33:02,880 Speaker 1: hi hot husband. My husband's like, no, no, that's weird. 586 00:33:02,960 --> 00:33:05,800 Speaker 1: That's it's appy or it's Mr Robin. Please don't say that. 587 00:33:05,800 --> 00:33:08,720 Speaker 1: That's very weird for me, like you know, a ten 588 00:33:08,800 --> 00:33:11,600 Speaker 1: year old saying it. Yeah, so funny. Well, I'm really 589 00:33:11,600 --> 00:33:14,320 Speaker 1: happy to meet you. Thank you so much for doing this. 590 00:33:14,520 --> 00:33:16,880 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for having me. This trait for me, 591 00:33:16,960 --> 00:33:27,440 Speaker 1: an absolute trait. Well, thank you, thank you. And that 592 00:33:27,480 --> 00:33:30,240 Speaker 1: does it for this week's episode of Next Question Everyone. 593 00:33:30,560 --> 00:33:32,760 Speaker 1: I have to say I it's so much fun talking 594 00:33:32,800 --> 00:33:35,959 Speaker 1: with Celeste Barber. She's so delightful and if you like 595 00:33:36,040 --> 00:33:39,720 Speaker 1: a laugh, she's a must follow on Instagram, especially during 596 00:33:39,760 --> 00:33:43,120 Speaker 1: these troubling times. Oh and so Less also interviewed me 597 00:33:43,360 --> 00:33:47,080 Speaker 1: for her podcast called Celeste and Her Best I love 598 00:33:47,160 --> 00:33:49,640 Speaker 1: her friend Tom by the way, who does this podcast 599 00:33:49,720 --> 00:33:53,160 Speaker 1: with her. You can find that on the Luminary podcast app. 600 00:33:53,480 --> 00:33:56,000 Speaker 1: I'm not sure when that's coming out, but keep a 601 00:33:56,040 --> 00:33:58,400 Speaker 1: listen out for it, and while you're at it, keep 602 00:33:58,440 --> 00:34:00,640 Speaker 1: an eye on Next Question. We've got a lot of 603 00:34:00,680 --> 00:34:04,400 Speaker 1: good stuff coming, so make sure you subscribe on Apple Podcasts, 604 00:34:04,760 --> 00:34:07,720 Speaker 1: the I Heart Radio app, or really wherever you listen. 605 00:34:08,120 --> 00:34:10,160 Speaker 1: And if you'd like some help keeping up with all 606 00:34:10,160 --> 00:34:12,920 Speaker 1: the news, check out my morning newsletter. It's called Wake 607 00:34:13,000 --> 00:34:16,680 Speaker 1: Up Call. Just go to Katie Currek dot com to subscribe. 608 00:34:16,960 --> 00:34:19,520 Speaker 1: And of course you can find me on Instagram, just 609 00:34:19,640 --> 00:34:23,160 Speaker 1: like Celeste and all the other social media channels. Although 610 00:34:23,160 --> 00:34:26,520 Speaker 1: I'm not nearly funny, she is. Until next time and 611 00:34:26,640 --> 00:34:34,279 Speaker 1: my Next question, I'm Katie Curic. Thanks for listening. Next 612 00:34:34,360 --> 00:34:36,719 Speaker 1: Question with Katie Couric is a production of I Heart 613 00:34:36,800 --> 00:34:40,560 Speaker 1: Radio and Katie Currik Media. The executive producers are Katie Currik, 614 00:34:40,680 --> 00:34:44,680 Speaker 1: Courtney Litz, and Tyler Klang. The supervising producer is Lauren Hansen. 615 00:34:45,320 --> 00:34:49,480 Speaker 1: Our show producer is Bethan Macaluso. The associate producers are 616 00:34:49,520 --> 00:34:53,880 Speaker 1: Emily Pinto and Derek Clemens. Editing by Derrek Clements, Dylan 617 00:34:53,920 --> 00:34:59,000 Speaker 1: Fagin and Lowell Berlante, Mixing by Dylan Fagan. Our researcher 618 00:34:59,120 --> 00:35:02,840 Speaker 1: is Gabriel Lo Sir For more information on today's episode, 619 00:35:03,000 --> 00:35:05,480 Speaker 1: go to Katie Couric dot com and follow us on 620 00:35:05,520 --> 00:35:13,400 Speaker 1: Twitter and Instagram at Katie Couric. For more podcasts for 621 00:35:13,480 --> 00:35:16,600 Speaker 1: My Heart Radio, visit the I Heart Radio app, Apple podcast, 622 00:35:16,760 --> 00:35:18,800 Speaker 1: or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.