Nikki Osborne has made a career out of being uncensored and unfiltered in a way that makes people laugh out loud.
And the comedian and actress confirms that what you see is what you get, remaining unapologetically herself both on Instagram and as one third of Nova’s Ash, Luttsy & Nikki Osborne breakfast radio show in Brisbane.
“When I’m working, of course it is a bit of a shopfront where I am being creative and putting my best foot forward, but it is still all parts of me,” the 43-year-old, who shares sons Will, 16, and Teddy, 12, with husband Jeremy Starr, tells WHO.
How are you coping with the hours in your new radio job?
I leave the house at 4.15am every morning. So by the afternoon, my husband and kids know I’m going to be a bit of a cow if I haven’t had my nap. It can be quite challenging being the first one to go to bed every night as that’s when I’d normally be spending time with my husband.
How are you making up for missing that quality time?
We’ve started heading off for a cheeky little drinks date on Friday afternoon – cocktail hour – for a margarita, which has been really lovely.
You’ve been married for 17 years now. What is the secret to making it work?
Jeremy is super funny. Any time we might start to have a bit of an altercation, it ends up with us laughing at each other.
Do you have a dream guest you’d love to interview on the radio?
Will Ferrell. What would I ask him? I’d probably be too starstruck to speak. Actually, I’d ask for a role in his next movie.
Acting is still something you plan to pursue?
It’s something I haven’t closed the door on, but it is something I am giving a rest from pursuing. I worked out that with the amount of time I spent auditioning for jobs, I could have been creating shows. So that is how I ended up pivoting into sketch comedy and stand-up.
We saw you on I’m a Celebrity… in 2020 and Dancing With the Stars last year. How pivotal do you think your stints on reality TV have been in opening doors for you?
Being in the jungle was a tough one for me and I got booted out really early, but in hindsight, it was a very good thing for me because people got to see a vulnerable side to me. I thought I got booted out because people hated me, but I just didn’t have the following on social media to get the numbers for votes. I thought I’d never be able to show my face again, but it’s been the opposite and has led to many opportunities. And Dancing was just about the most fun I’ve ever had in my life.
Would you be interested in going on any more reality shows?
I’d love to be on Below Deck, but only if I’m the guest up on the top deck. I’m mates with Ant Middleton and he wants me to go on SAS. My husband has forbid it. He says, “Nikki, you will kill yourself!” Honestly, I don’t quite think I’m match fit for it anymore after starting breakfast radio. It is the type of show that you only want to go on if you’re in the best shape of your life and that is definitely not the case right now. I’ve been putting on what they call the “breakfast kilos”.
You still look amazing. What is your secret to looking bright-eyed with such early starts?
I have the most amazing Chanel bronzer that puts all the life back in my face when I can’t hide behind sunnies.
