The Real Deal

She’s the honest Aussie comedian who has won Hollywood’s heart, but make no mistake: CELESTE BARBER is just getting started

- Emily Taylor

When I meet Celeste Barber for the first time in the foyer of Sydney’s hip QT hotel, I’m quite obviously pregnant. She bounds out of the elevator in a black minidress and pink sneakers, pulls me in for a hug and immediately grabs my belly. “Sorry, I’m a toucher!” she laughs, and it’s impossible not to be swept up in her infectious high spirits. A lot of celebrities I’ve interviewed are quite different in person from their public profile, but not this woman. She’s as bubbly and energetic as you’d expect from the Instagram star with millions of followers and a cult social media account beloved by Hollywood. As we settle into a quiet corner to chat away from the wide-eyed stares and gasps of, “Oh my God, it’s Celeste Barber!” I ask the parody queen how she describes herself these days. “As an actor and comedian, like I’ve always said,” she responds simply. Because it’s true that while you may have only recently stumbled across Barber’s hilarious Instagram posts when a friend tagged you in on one with Bella Hadid or Jennifer Lopez, the 36-year-old has been honing her craft for more than 15 years.