In 2025 Funny Women proudly launched The Glitter Challenge, and this year we’re mentoring 8 amazing women who have taken on a unique Comedy Challenge to raise vital funds for The Glitter Project. Each challenger is being mentored by an experienced comedian, helping them write and perfect their own unique 5 minute set. The challenge culminates with a night of stand up, our challengers appearing live on stage at the world’s largest arts festival, Edinburgh Fringe 2026.
The funds we raise from The Glitter Challenge will go towards giving women and non-binary people from all walks of life access to incredible creative opportunities in a safe, inclusive environment.
Let’s meet our first challenger…Cayley Rae.
Originally from South Africa, Cayley Rae is a strategist by profession and spends her days helping brands tell meaningful stories, but her heart has always belonged to acting. Whether she’s on stage or in front of the camera, she feels most at home bringing characters to life.
She’s also a proud dog mom to her rescue pup, Macaroon, wife to her delightfully logical husband, and firm believer that any place can become a dance floor with the right song.
The Glitter Challenge journey is a masterclass in growth and mentorship. We caught up with Cayley Rae and asked about her comedy inspirations and the biggest lessons she is taking away from the experience so far:
Why did you join the Glitter Challenge?
Last year, I wrote and performed my one-woman show, Becoming Anne, inspired by a lifetime of being told I look just like Anne Hathaway. It debuted at Camden Fringe, and hearing an audience laugh at something I’d created sparked something in me. I realised I wanted more of that. After the show, I dipped my toe into the world of open mics, figuring it out as I went. Then a friend told me about Funny Women and when I saw they had this Glitter Challenge, it felt like the exact opportunity I was looking for. I was excited not only to learn from experienced mentors, but also to meet and be inspired by an incredible community of funny women.
What or who inspires your creativity and comedy writing?
I’m drawn to women who tell it like it is – sharing honest, relatable stories about life and all the wonderfully chaotic moments that come with it. Some of my favourite moments are spent around a table with friends, laughing until we cry as someone retells a story we’ve all heard before, and somehow it gets funnier each time. That’s what inspires my writing – finding the humour in everyday life, and reminding people that even in life’s messiest moments, there’s almost always something to laugh about. I think we all need a little more of that.
Looking back on your Glitter Challenge journey so far, what’s been your biggest takeaway, biggest surprise or learning curve?
I’ve learnt and taken away so much already, but there are two lessons that have really stayed with me. The first is that stand up isn’t about simply delivering jokes – it’s about connecting with the audience. Before, I’d get on stage, recite my material, and walk off. Building that connection comes with experience, but simply understanding that it’s the goal, has completely changed the way I think about performing. The second is the idea of “taking your idea for a walk.” Before, I’d tell a story exactly as it happened. Working with my wonderful mentor, Pauline, she’s taught me to keep digging – to ask more questions and explore every angle. I’ve discovered some wonderfully unexpected things along the way with this.
To see Cayley Rae and the other Glitter Challengers perform at the Edinburgh Fringe on 17th August, book your tickets here.
