Peninsula’s Bush Barbie is back for a visit

Despite making the move from McCrae to the ever-warm Sunshine Coast during the blur of COVID-19 lockdowns, comedian Nikki Osborne ventured back to chilly Victoria for her April 13 show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. While she admits that summer on the Peninsula goes unrivalled, she won’t be swapping a Queensland winter any time soon. Kate Sears speaks to Nikki about her recent projects.

You’ve just performed your groundbreaking show Spectrum in which you delve into the diverse experiences of family members on the autism spectrum. It’s been described as a “joyous, warm, insightful and loving and hilarious take on those ‘touched by the ‘tism”. Could you give us an insight into the process behind creating the show?

It naturally formed over the years from the exchanges of stories with family and friends on the spectrum. I ended up with a hilarious catalogue of stories that were too funny not to share. Sure, I totally take the piss and push the envelope but I’m yet to have an autistic person complain. Quite the contrary. I’m very proud of this show because it makes you think as well as laugh.

What role do you think comedy plays in today’s society?

You know when you’re reading your Facebook friend’s irate posts about politics, and you read the news about political agendas and propaganda and you just want to scream? Don’t. Go to a comedy show. Comedians are there to bring all of that noise to a head, and then make you laugh about it. For a while there they tried to muzzle comedians from questioning the status quo. However, I’ve always been a strong campaigner for protecting comedy as the sacred place where you can say it as you see it. In March last year I was trialled as a columnist for News Corp. My family and friends had a bet that I would be cancelled in a month. A year later, I’m realising that people are desperate for an honest voice. Oh, I wasn’t fired.

How has the comedy journey been?

I was heavily involved in sketch comedy with Channel 10 for a good few years and I finally picked up the mic in 2018. It’s been the hardest and most rewarding chapter of my career. Mostly hard.

Would you say your true passion lies in comedy or acting?

My true passion is my character Bush Barbie, which is a combination of the two. I used to wander around the bush out the back of McCrae in my costume with a camera and a ring light creating ridiculous ads for a condom company. Now Bush Barbie is funnier and more liked than myself, which is annoying. I’m actually jealous of my own character.

You’re in the new season of Dancing with the Stars that’s coming to Channel 7. How was the experience?

Okay, I know I said I love playing Bush Barbie, but actually this show was the most joyful experience of anything I’ve worked on in my life. Joyful and painful. We trained eight to 10 hours a day, seven days a week for two months. I’m not even joking. My goal starting the show was to wear every dress and get a nice arse. The dresses were sublime. They design each one specifically for you in the dance you’re doing. I enjoyed the process so much that I seemed to forget my injuries. The cast was also exceptional. As for the dancing, my partner Aric and I ‘modernised’ it. You’ll see.

What’s next for you?

Well, I’m planning to launch a Bush Barbie tour off the back of Dancing with the Stars. I’m also working on getting a series off the ground and I’ve started a YouTube channel. Get on it.

Find Nikki on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok @nikkiosborneofficial