It's 2019 and Star is cast in a reality competition show on YouTube that went viral with 17
million views. Only problem is she was given the villain edit and her life changes overnight!
Sharing her wild and true story publicly for the first time, Star reveals it all from battling bots,
trolls, the online vegan mafia, and the real effects it had on her in this one-woman
multimedia comedy show.
Can you give us a sneak peek into your show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe? What can audiences expect when they come to see your performance
Villain Era is a one-woman dark-comedy using multimedia to address cancel culture and the effects of social media on our mental health. It’s a deep dive into my true story of going viral in a YouTube video in 2019, getting a villain edit by production, and then harassed and bullied online for over 5 years. This show is like a feminist Baby Reindeer with the add on of musical numbers and special guests.
2. The Edinburgh Fringe is known for its vibrant and diverse atmosphere. How do you plan to engage with the festival audience and create a memorable experience for them?
Villain Era is a comedy show and interactive. I have sections of the show where I speak to the audience, ask questions, and include them- and when the karaoke song comes on- we have a sing along!
3. As a performer at the Edinburgh Fringe, what are you most excited about? Are there any specific aspects of the festival that you are looking forward to exploring?
I love the friendships I make here. Meeting other artists doing the same thing as you is the best part!
4. Your show incorporates elements of feminism and women's experiences. Could you share how these themes are woven into the narrative or performance? What inspired you to explore these particular topics?
My show addresses the root of violence online and links it back to internalized misogyny. We compare the Salem Witch Trials to the pile-ons in the comments of a woman’s Tiktok or Instagram. But also we talk about how historically women are vilified and demonized for their behaviour if they come off as competitive or aggressive- like Hillary Clinton- versus if a man is competitive, he’s just a strong candidate or team player- aka not called a B*tch.
5. Have you encountered any unique challenges or obstacles in the industry? How do you navigate these challenges, and what advice would you give to other women pursuing careers in the arts?
Obstacles are every day. Obstacles are anything from not selling enough tickets or needing more visibility in the press as an indie theatre maker focused on social/political issues. In this climate where there are 3,600 shows to compete with, it's finding who my audience is now and building and inviting more in and continuing to get the word out about the kind of material I share. Advice… let’s see. find your voice! What is it you are passionate about? What is your unique perspective? Do that. And repeat it. And just know that women are often critiqued more harshly than men on literally everything and especially in comedy. So, given all of that just continue to do you and refine what it is that makes you relevant and timely.
6. What do you hope audiences will take away from your show, especially in terms of the feminist and women-centric themes? Is there a specific message or emotion you aim to leave them with?
Yes- consider how we treat each other online and how we use social media- and how can we advocate for change online, what can be done to support our mental health and end violence o
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