Best known for her 3 million followers online and her uproarious Las Vegas residency, Sarah Hester Ross brings Sarah Hester Ross Is What? for her debut Edinburgh Fringe show. Following the release of her new comedy special on Apple TV and Amazon Prime, Don’t Mess With a Redhead, the new one-hour show, Sarah Hester Ross Is What? is a hilarious musical experience about being TikTok famous not wanting babies and life as the leader of the ‘Stop Giving Men Microphones’ movement.
Tell us about your show.
Sarah Hester Ross Is What? is a hilarious musical experience that shows a TikTok famous woman, who doesn’t want babies and is the leader of the stop giving men microphones movement. I sing about my life as a woman online and about women’s issues in general. It gets real at times but always with a side of humour, but they are things that need to be said. I get called a lot of things, especially an “angry feminist” – I don’t know a feminist who shouldn’t be angry! But, instead of yelling about it, I sing about it, I think it’s more fun that way.
How does being a funny woman play into your life?
People don’t always love it. Where I grew up, women were not supposed to be ‘funny’, ‘in charge’ or ‘human’. ‘Respectful’, ‘pretty’ and ‘proper’ was our goal so we could meet our future husband. I never fit into the box, even from birth. Being a funny woman is my shining glory and I wear it like a badge or suit of armour. Some people still don’t love it, but that makes it even better. I’m a tiny bit petty and a little bit proud of it.
How does it feel to be performing at the Edinburgh Fringe?
It’s been a dream of mine for a while. I know that Edinburgh is a very prestigious festival and I never really thought I had a good enough show to present until now.
Who are the funny women you would recommend seeing in Edinburgh this year?
I am a big fan of Flo and Joan and my friend Caitlin Cook is also performing this year. I’m so looking forward to seeing them!
Sarah Hester Ross: Sarah Hester Ross is What? 2-4, 7, 9-11, 14 and 16-18 August at 2.30pm at Just the Tonic Nucleus (Atomic Room). Book tickets here.
