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Tina from Turners EXPOSED: The Real Story Behind NZ’s Most Famous Ad

July 27, 2025 / 01:31:09

This episode features comedian Bubba, known for her role as Tina from Turners, discussing her career, personal life, and upcoming move to Samoa. Key topics include her experiences in comedy, the impact of her character on her life, and her decision to prioritize mental well-being over career pressures.

Bubba shares her journey in the entertainment industry, highlighting her unexpected rise to fame through the Turners ads. She reflects on how this role changed her life and the public's perception of her, noting the challenges of maintaining the character's illusion.

The conversation touches on her upcoming move to Samoa, where she seeks a simpler lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of family and community. Bubba expresses her desire to connect with her roots and live a more grounded life.

Throughout the episode, Bubba discusses her comedic style, the importance of authenticity, and her views on social media. She shares insights on how she navigates the pressures of fame while staying true to herself.

The episode concludes with a light-hearted exchange about her experiences on Celebrity Treasure Island, her friendships formed during the show, and her aspirations for the future.

TLDR

Bubba discusses her comedy career, fame from Turners, and moving to Samoa for a simpler life.

Episode

1:31:09
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Oh, good. You're here. Come on. This is the center of performance. Whenever there's a top performance in New
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Zealand, it all comes from here. That's Lisa Carrington. She's been doing that
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for days. That's the boys who got the hole in one in to Finn. How's the performance going?
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>> Top tier. >> Nice. This is our generate room. In here, you'll find our top performers
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helping Kiwis maximize their Kiwi Saver investments. Get in here, Finn. >> Maximize. Generate. putting performance
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first. >> Barbara, >> hi. >> Welcome to my podcast. >> Thank you for having me.
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>> Straight away, I'm excited because this is going to be chaotic, I think.
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So, um, some people might might be watching this on YouTube, others will just be listening to it on Spotify,
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Apple, wherever. Um, but you're wearing a a blue wig. So, I greeted you at the
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car. Uh you came out, your hair looked nice and normal to me and then you put this um blue like two two look sharp wig
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on like a $2 shop wig. Yes. >> And you said because your hair is so bad. >> Uh because I cut it on stage. I shaved
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it >> and if my grandma sees me flaunting that around I will not be in her good books.
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>> Why did you So you've been doing a show for the um the comedy fest called Pure
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Mature. >> Yes. >> And was was this the the final night thing you came here? kind of just a
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bye-bye because I haven't written for a long time my own stuff. So, >> right. Well, was it was it pre It must
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have been premeditated, right? Because you had scissors. You need >> I didn't just shave my head. I planned
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to shave my head. Yeah. >> Right. So, you saved it for the last night. Yes.
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>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. What? How did that fit into the show? >> Uh, so I wrote a skit about a princess
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who's being sold off to central Oakland um to get rations to Feder Kingdom because there's a war waging. Um, and
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then she falls in love with a servant boy from Riawa and her father banishes her from the kingdom for it and she
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shaves her head. >> Do you cuz you you've got um a lot of people know you as um Tina from Turners.
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Yes. >> Do you need to do you need to speak to anyone before you make a drastic
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appearance change like cutting your hair? >> I didn't even think about that.
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>> Maybe Okay. All right. Oh, this is going to be so much fun. Oh, by the way, yes. So,
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the the Tina from Turners thing I heard I I read I've read and heard just about
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every other thing you've been on and some of the chats you've had. Um, you
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said you're not allowed to talk about that due to contractual obligations. >> Well, I think now I can talk about it.
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Before I couldn't because the illusion was that Cena worked at Turners. Right.
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>> Didn't put that out there, but kind of the public were like, "Okay,
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>> I must admit, I put on my Instagram yesterday that um that Bubba's coming in
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for a chat. And does anyone have any questions?" There were three different
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people that were like in the comments, "Wait, that's her name's not really."
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People are really surprised. >> I know. And there was a bit of an uproar when people found out. So that's why we
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couldn't talk about it too much. We had to drip feed it in. >> It was too much for New Zealand to
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handle. >> Yeah. Which is nice. Thank you guys for being so supportive. >> Yeah. How how has that role um impacted
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or changed your life? >> Weird. I just thought my big break would be some Hollywood movie and it's a car
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ad. Um and it just I don't know kind of I'm sitting at your podcast right now.
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It did that for me. Just plummeted me into mainstream media. >> Yeah. And I Yeah. We we'll unpack a lot
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of this um a lot later on. Um but I think part of the amazing thing for me is like there's so much saturation now
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in the media and the advertising market. So to have an ad that has that sort of cut through, it's um it's it's rare.
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It's pretty special. Like there's you and the Brisco lady and that's it.
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>> Oh. Oh my gosh. I'm coming for it. >> All right. So who is Bubba?
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>> Oh my god. I don't know. Um, I am a kid from I'm not a kid anymore. I'm 28. E.
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Uh, how old are you? >> I'm old as [ __ ] I'm 52. >> Oh, yeah. Well, you're still a kid, so
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act like a kid. >> Even let me I'll tell you something. Even when you get to your 50s, there's
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still moments where you feel like a little kid. >> Yeah, >> it's really weird.
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>> I think they'll ever lose that. >> You came out like this, Bubba.
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>> Good sign. Uh, I think I was just trying to matching match the energy that I
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thought you'd have because all I know about you is what of you know, basically
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what's on screen. >> Oh, what what do you think? What do you think about me?
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>> I think you're super high energy. >> Yeah. But then researching about you, I
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think you're quite introspective as well. Like um >> Yes. >> You Oh, you've got an iPhone now, but
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like an interview I read from you like a couple of years ago, you >> you made a call to get rid of your
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iPhone and just get like a a brick phone or a dumb phone, whatever you want to call it. One that you could only text
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on. Couldn't even do emojis. No. >> So, you're completely off grid.
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>> Yeah. >> I think >> Yeah. Which seems um >> Yeah. And and now you're moving to
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Samoa. You're moving back to Samoa to go get even more off grid. And it seems to
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me um especially in the in the industry that you're in, you know, that comedy
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and art sort of industry like there's that real sort of hustle culture. And there's nothing wrong with that. Like
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there's nothing wrong with people being driven. >> Um but you you just don't give a [ __ ]
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>> Well, I don't know. I don't It doesn't really bother me. I I can join the
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hustle, but I really want to go to some more. >> Yeah. Yeah. And I think that's really
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inspiring and interesting. >> Why? >> Well, it Well, it just is because like a
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lot of people um a lot of your peers are probably like, "Well, you know, you've
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got this momentum. You know, you're doing your comedy show, you've got you
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Tina from Turners. Now's the time. Now's the time to stay stay in Oakuckland.
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Stay in the hub. Stay where the action is." >> I've heard that quite a bit. Yeah.
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>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> But you're doing your own thing. Yeah,
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if I think about sour and waking up to the water, I have no struggle choosing what to do.
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>> And um Yeah. So, what will a day look like in Samoa? >> 7 a.m. karaoke, I heard.
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>> Yes. Yes. 7 anything goes in Samo. You wake up karaoke. The goal is kind of
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just to get dinner. So, you're either fishing or on the plantation. It's just so you have enough to make
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dinner. That's it. There's no other kind of like hustle and bustle that's over
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here. >> It's a real simple and pure way of life, isn't it? >> Yeah. And everyone's happy. Everyone's
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like, "Hey, how are you since yesterday?" It's really good. >> Yeah.
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>> Cuz I've been there. Yeah. What would your stresses be over there? Your
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day-to-day stresses like compared to say here. >> I don't know that the sun's burning too
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hot, so we got to get food quickly. That's probably the only stress. I feel no stress like that.
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>> And you're staying in your your your grandparents village? >> Yes, in my grandpa's village in Ukali
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Samo. So it's the village that he it's the land that he was raised on. So when
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I think about my footprints going on after his footprints, >> it's kind of special, eh?
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>> Yeah. >> So So you wake up in the morning, do some karaoke, connect with your family,
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work or fish, whatever you happen to do that day, then come back to the village,
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play touch rugby and volleyball. Yes. Oh my gosh. Have you been >> twice? Oh, you know, not really though.
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Like just aggy grays. But um I love I love summer and I love the vibe and uh I I was never tempted to eat the fish
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that's hanging out the front of people's beach with flies on >> when you heat it. It'll kill all the
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bacteria. You're fine. >> But it always it struck me both times like why why doesn't someone win like
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gold medals for the volleyball and stuff? Cuz everyone goes back to the village and plays volleyball. Okay.
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>> Yeah. All the time. It's volleyball or rugby. >> I don't play. I I get in trouble
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>> cuz I'm not good at it. >> So, what you your agents like Johnson
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and Lead, what have they what have they said? Are they are they bothered by it? Like you're one of their big clients, I
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guess. Did they try and talk you out of it? >> No, they just support. They know I love
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Sour, so they just >> they also know I'm not going to do what I like. If I want to do something, I'm
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going to do it. Yeah. >> So, they just supported me. They still are. Yeah.
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>> Yeah. You do love You've even got like the Samoa 685 tattoo on your
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>> stalk me. >> Yeah. You're actually quite hard to stalk because you So, you're on
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Instagram, but your Instagram handle is King. >> Oh, King Ulavali. >> Yeah. Why?
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>> Uh Uli means naughty, >> right? Why Why didn't you go with um
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Laba? It was like one of the I made it so long ago when I was young and then it just stuck as I people just found my
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Instagram, >> right? It's like you really don't want to be don't want to be famous or
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it's really it's it's refreshing. It's fascinating. Okay, so what else we
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Oh, are you still working at Tony's steakhouse? >> Not anymore, but I Yeah, that was my
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I love Tony's. Have you been? Yeah, it's like the um it's just around the corner
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from the Civic in Oakland Queen Street. Well, >> the oldest um restaurant in Oakland, I
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think. >> And you you were working there while you were Tina from Turners on TV.
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>> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> When did you >> I made great tips off that.
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>> I mean, this is this is the life of um like a a you know, a comedian or you
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know, a performer in New Zealand, isn't it? Like you need these jobs to supplement your income.
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>> I also needed it for my own sanity. Like I think our industry is so fast-paced.
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Working at Tony's and you know seeing people argue over tomato sauce I was like this is what I want is I want to
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argue with tomato sauce. I don't want to argue over kind of all the big ideas the
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industry's. I don't know. I feel like industry has made up some issues. Oh like the um the performing arts
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industry. Is that a hot take? >> Don't worry. You're going to Samoa. You
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won't you won't be here for the backlash. Um okay. What else have we got? Oh, you've got another show called
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Don't launching on TV and Zed soon. >> Yes. Uh that's Greenstone. That's uh I
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think I did I audition? I just auditioned and then posted it. >> Right. >> They Yeah. What is it about? I should
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know this. It's about uh just pregnancy, marriage, having kids uh at this kind of
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age and all the options that there are. >> Right. Oh, and you got a Taskmaster
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tattoo as well. That's another big part of the Bubba story. >> So, Taskmaster the TV show.
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>> I don't know why people think that's fake. >> They're with me all the time.
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>> That's Ray Ori. Who's that? Is that Chris Parker? No. >> Karen.
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>> Oh, is that Karen Ol? >> It's Karen Ori. >> That is That is not a slide on Karen or
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Chris. That's um That says more about the tattoo artist. Who's that? >> Melanie Bracewood.
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>> Melanie Brace and Wood. Yeah. Right. Why did Why did you do that? Do you regret
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it? >> No, I love it. The task was uh do something unbelievable and I just met
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them. So, I got them. >> That's a hell of a commitment. Did it shock everyone? Did anyone try and talk
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you out of it? >> Uh, no. Well, I Yeah, I went to production and I was like, "You guys got
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to pay for this cuz I want all my tasks to be under $10." So, maybe production,
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but they ended up paying for it. And what about your family's reaction? >> Uh, they they know me.
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>> Oh my god. My god. >> No, they're not surprised at all ever. >> And how did how did that go? Like did
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did you go viral with that? That get sort of picked up by international media or
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>> Yeah. I I think Taskmaster Taskmaster has its own fandom. So the UK fandom
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went nuts for it, >> right? >> Yeah. >> It's next level. >> Yeah. Maybe I'll get a tattoo of you
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next. >> Oh, would you? If I pay, >> if you paid for it, I would. >> Um, I've got a quote here. Uh, you
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talking about moving back to Samoa. Um, the quote I heard was, uh, to find personal fulfillment.
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Did you say that? >> Did I say that? >> Yeah. Or maybe it's a journalist
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paraphrasing. Um, but then there was a quote from you. Uh, no one's arguing about silly things and debating online.
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No one cares and I don't either. So, I fit right in. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I think that's just cuz I get when
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I get interviewed, people ask me about the big issues and I'm like, I'm a
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comedian, dude. I don't know. >> What do you worry about? >> Uh, what do I worry about? Uh,
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I think that's a worry for me is sometimes with social media, there's a lot of
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people getting lost in being the savior. And so, they start to make up issues so
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they can save the people from that. And then they convince the young Jen that these issues are real. so they can come
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in and be the savior. And sometimes I'm like, just go outside and touch the grass and look around and
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feel in here. I don't know how to explain that. >> It's quite it's quite I know what you're
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saying. It's quite a wise way of thinking. >> I mean, because there are real issues. I
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get it. Like there's real issues, but you can't find them if you're making up stuff.
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>> Yeah. And I can see why this move back to some would be good for good for your
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soul, good for your mental health. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Is that is is that part of the
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reason? Is it mental health related or no? Would you >> It's fully about sour. Like I just love
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sour. It's just a bonus that I get to leave from all this air fair stuff. >> But you were born here, eh? You were
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born in New Zealand. I >> was born here. >> Um but you've you've been to some
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numerous occasions. Yeah. >> And stay for like two months at a time. >> So you when you go there, you just feel
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like your heart belongs there. >> Yeah. I just feel really grounded and everyone's
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I don't know. I >> Your family's here though. >> Yes, I've got family. They would love to
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come over. They just obviously can't. They've been westernized too much. They
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can't go back. >> What does that mean? >> Like they're going to miss, you know,
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coffees and whatever in the >> coffees. They could go to Aggie Grace and get
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um how's that hair working up here? Is it or is it okay? >> I think it's pretty good. I think it's
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doing me well. >> If you're happy, I'm happy. It's And it's getting strains all over your
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>> Oh, that's okay. >> How How bad is your hair? You better leave me alone.
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>> Okay. If you're happy, I'm happy. >> I am happy. >> All right. So, let's go back to the
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early years. So, um uh your family calls you Bubba, but your real name is, let me see if I can get
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this correct. Sienn Tani Leo Oolo. >> Beautiful. >> Yeah. And that's your grandmother's
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name? >> My grandmother's name is Tieni and that means Jane. Tani is from my godmother uh
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Mivun from Fatafi. And then Leo Olo is my grandpa's chief title. My great-grandpa's chief title. He came
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from China to Samour and then settled down with my great grandma. >> So everyone in the family just calls you
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Bubba because you're you you're actually the eldest of the family. >> Yes.
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>> But you the first baby along. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> So that's just sort of stuck.
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>> Yeah. >> So in like say primary school, preschool, all that stuff, people just
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called you Bubba. >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> So who calls you CNI? Like it's there's been certain times
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where I've walked into a place and been like I've got to be professional so let
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me use my government name. >> So just like those people. Yeah. Maybe my theater company still calls me Sienn.
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But that's it. >> What your parents if you're in trouble or >> No. No one. No one.
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>> No one. >> Unreal. >> Yeah. >> So you're born in Mongade uh in South
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Oakland. What What are your earliest memories? >> Uh what did I do? Earliest memories? Uh
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I was raised with my grandpa's siblings, grandkids as well. So like just family
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all the time. Very family orientated. Uh and then just mis mischief. Little bit of mischief.
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>> Like what? >> Like >> like what sort of age would the mischief?
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>> Like pretty young. Like even four. >> Okay. Well, that's not mischief.
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Mischief. >> Yeah. See, I think when you say mischief, it's like if you say, "Oh, 13 to 18," I'm I'm
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thinking something different to like a foury old. >> Oh, well, when I was mischief at four,
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>> when I was four, uh, I lit the mattress on fire um and burnt the garage to the
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ground and didn't tell anyone. >> What What do you mean? So, what did they
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think happened? >> So, they they I don't I just went inside and started watching TV like nothing
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happened, but the garage was on fire. I was like, but I was like, what happens if I do this? And then when it started
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going really bad, I was like, damn. >> So you, why didn't you think I don't
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know if you can remember back this far, but why didn't why didn't you think to
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go inside and say, hey guys, [ __ ] >> I knew I was going to get my ass beat. I
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was like, oh [ __ ] let me pretend something else happened. >> So when when at what point did you come
00:17:05
clean? >> They already knew. They took one look at the garage and one look at me watching
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TV and knew it was me. And um yeah, what did discipline look like in your household?
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>> Uh like discipline like I also Yeah. So I think I was disciplined well where I understood why
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I was getting in trouble. Mhm. >> So, I did have um my uncles always explained to me like and my grandpa
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always explained why I got in trouble. >> Mhm. >> And I would see it in that way and I'm
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like, damn, I'll be doing some dumb [ __ ] sometimes. >> So, um Yeah. So, you you get like um
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like a belt a belt or a hand or smack. >> Oh, I got hands. >> Yeah, >> I got it. I'm someone man. I got it.
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>> From from who? just like anyone in the family or >> I think all the adults,
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>> right? >> But yeah, I know that's going to be touchy when this comes up, but it's I
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got I got good >> It's Pacific Island, right? >> Good hiding. >> Yeah,
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>> not abuse. I didn't get cuz I I know what abuse is and that wasn't what I
00:18:11
>> but like under the 2025 lens, it's all considered abuse. I I was raised in a
00:18:15
household where Yeah. We were we were smacked all the time, but it was it was mainly dad that did it. So I remember
00:18:20
being like four or five years old and we'd do something and during the day mom
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would be like wait until your father gets home and then hours later we'd be getting like whacked on the ass. Like at
00:18:29
that age you couldn't even remember what you did that was wrong. >> True. But also it did get if you're
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unsafe and you know touching a boiling pot and you get a smack, you'll never
00:18:38
touch it again. >> Yeah, that's true. That's true. Fair enough. Um
00:18:44
yes. So you're the oldest of four. There's four sisters. I have four sisters.
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>> Yeah. Yep. >> Three sisters plus you. >> I have four sisters. Four sisters plus
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you. >> They're all girly girls and they're very reserved actually. Yeah.
00:19:00
Compared to me. Very reserved. Uh and they're all like if they saw this they
00:19:06
would be spewing >> cuz they're so well put together. They don't leave the house in pajamas. Like
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>> I jumped in the car one time and one of my cousins was like you're not going out
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like that. It's one or the other. So, choose which one. And it was between my
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hus and my gum boots. >> How did you end up so different to everyone else in the family?
00:19:26
>> I don't know. I don't know. I How did you end up like you? I think it just
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>> Some people are just wired. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, what um what role
00:19:36
did humor play in your household, if anything at all? >> I think that's how we talk. I think
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that's our language. It's like we never answer seriously. It's like uh
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it's always sarcasm and like roasting all the time. You know, you know, islanders, we like to roast each other.
00:19:54
>> I I I heard you talk about this in another podcast and I um I honestly feel
00:19:58
like I belong um like this. I do. I do. Yeah. Roasting is kind of like my love language and I've realized that there's
00:20:06
friends that I just I can't do it with because they're too sensitive. Oh,
00:20:10
>> I think roasting's good because you're laughing at yourself. >> Yeah. And if it comes from a place of
00:20:16
love and it's from someone that you know loves you, then Yeah. >> I can't roast you if I hate you cuz like
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I It won't come out like it'll be serious. I'll be dead serious. >> So, what did you dream of doing when you
00:20:28
were little? >> Um, I want to be a cashier. That was it. >> At where? Uh, I just remember always
00:20:35
doing the beep beep and and you know beeping the cashier thing and then sometimes I would put on performances
00:20:43
for my family. So maybe I did want to be an actor. >> So you had that sort of performance
00:20:47
gene. Um, and did it start with church skits? >> Definitely. Yep. A thousand% started in
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Sunday school, White Sunday. Um, and then I started my pastor just let me kind of take the reigns and host
00:21:05
white Sundays and Easter services. So I would take the whole youth and I'd have
00:21:08
people in there older than me, but I would direct a big piece just like >> and you were just naturally good or you
00:21:16
just really enjoyed it? >> I really enjoy it. Yeah. Still to this day enjoy it, love it.
00:21:22
And what about your family when you said this is like a career you wanted to pursue?
00:21:27
>> Uh I mean they were supportive but were they supportive cuz you know I came I'm going to be an
00:21:38
actor you know there is a thing of like sure but I kept at it and I'm glad I
00:21:44
did. I'm glad I didn't listen to people who told me no. >> Yes. There's reluctance in the
00:21:49
beginning. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Of course. Yeah. >> Yeah. Why is that? They just
00:21:54
You're right. She's pulling blue hairs from this wig out of her mouth. They
00:21:59
just they they Well, they thought you should do have something more secure or >> Yeah. Uh
00:22:05
cuz that thing's not secure. And it wasn't for for a while. And it was kind
00:22:08
of when I did the backyard shows that it started popping off and then >> I started getting paid instead of
00:22:17
working for exposure. Yeah. The the impression I I get from the research I've done is you're just
00:22:24
not money driven at all. >> No, >> I just don't care. >> I really don't care.
00:22:29
>> Yeah. And I I find that intriguing cuz Yeah. I wish I was more like that.
00:22:36
Well, I grew like grew up broke and like even the last show we did, I was recommended to sell at 35, but I
00:22:45
knew that people that can pay $35, I kind of didn't want them there. Like not
00:22:50
didn't want them there, but I wanted people who couldn't afford it purely off
00:22:54
their vibes because I broke is like a almost like a breed. like there's a breed of us and we kind
00:23:00
of relate on this kind of pain of existence if we've been broke before. So, I wanted to talk to those people.
00:23:06
So, I brought the tickets down um to $10 for Sons and 15 for brown people. And I'm so glad I did.
00:23:13
>> What does What does that mean? >> Um I just little prejoke was I um bought
00:23:18
the Anyone else has to pay $35 and then um brown people and sours got to pay $10
00:23:26
and $15. Well, I'm glad I did. Yeah. >> So, so you say um yeah, you identify as
00:23:33
broke or you grew up broke. What what does that sort of mean in real terms? >> Like Yeah. I wasn't um
00:23:41
just like we didn't have the luxuries like we used to pick onions for um money, you know, pay bills. That was
00:23:50
our school holidays. And that's a that was a reality for a lot of sour is we
00:23:53
all would meet up um at this place that just had rows and rows of onions and we'd be picking onions from morning till
00:24:00
night. You'd camp there >> picking onions and that would get some money to pay the bills. Uh and I was
00:24:05
talking about that with one of my friends and she was like oh my god yeah we had to pick strawberries and I was
00:24:10
like what a [ __ ] luxury picking strawberries. It's not this. And she was like yeah say before this car and I was
00:24:16
like but they already had a car. I was like, "Oh, so you're you're picking
00:24:20
strawberries for luxury." Like, it's not the same. >> Like, we're picking it to eat to get
00:24:25
food. >> Now, how many in your household? >> Uh, bunch of us grew up together. So, it
00:24:31
was me, my grandparents, parents, my mom's brothers, and their kids. Yes. >> So, like a dozen
00:24:43
14, 15 in a household? No. >> Oh my god. I have no idea how many kids there are. I think there's 13, 14 kids,
00:24:50
eight adults, >> 18 22. >> Yeah, but you take away like five of them cuz the the new five are new.
00:24:57
>> Okay. 17. So 17 houses. So you never you never had your own room? >> I ended up having my own room when um
00:25:04
one family moved out. Yeah. So one of the when we started getting older, then they moved out, started to move out. One
00:25:10
>> So So Oh, so it was like a family in each room. Um, no. It was my grandparents and all the kids in the
00:25:16
front and then the couples in the rooms. >> Right. How many bathrooms in the house?
00:25:20
Just the one. >> One. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, we would shower We would shower at
00:25:26
night for primary school. We would show at night and then wake up and um just get flannel
00:25:32
and then go to school like that, >> right? >> And and >> that's so much too much information.
00:25:39
>> No, no, no, no, no, no. It's it's really intriguing. It's real intriguing. And
00:25:43
it's sorry if I'm I'm a bit curious like I grew up in I suppose what you'd call
00:25:47
like just um >> like a very sort of middle middle class New Zealand background. I was in Palmer
00:25:52
North. I never had my own bedroom. We always live in a three-bedroom house. So it was me and my brother in a room, my
00:25:56
two sisters in a room, and mom and dad in a room. Always one bathroom. Um but that was um that was very normal. And
00:26:01
I'd go to other kids' house and they'd have their own room or they'd have like
00:26:04
nice chocolate biscuits or nice meat for dinner and I'd be like, "Whoa."
00:26:09
So, did did you is this um like a money thing that you're living with that many
00:26:13
family members or is it just a Samoan thing where you want the family to be in the same
00:26:17
>> Yeah, it's such a like my whole street live like that cuz I always get asked
00:26:21
about this. I'm like everyone lives like that. I don't know why that's so weird.
00:26:27
>> No, but I suppose like the the life that you're moving to in Samoa like it's um
00:26:31
>> that the villages are very big though are and there's open open wall sort of
00:26:36
hall buildings. What are they called? the >> the folly o so they're >> f yeah but there's a difference to to to
00:26:42
I suppose living like that and being in like a very small yeah three fourbedroom
00:26:46
house in South Oakland >> yeah but I think because it's intergenerational we see I haven't
00:26:52
learned that route because people have asked me about it but oh my gosh so yeah it was just you live
00:27:01
we look after each other so like we live with our grandparents because we look after our grandparents and And I guess
00:27:08
it'll continue. It's like the circle of life where we just look after each
00:27:11
other. >> There's something really pure about that. There's something really beautiful
00:27:15
about it. Whereas the the Palangi way like we grow up, we leave home as soon as we can and then we turn our back on
00:27:20
our on the elders. >> Yeah. I've seen Palangi friends argue with their parents. I'm like, damn.
00:27:26
>> Oh, really? Like you just wouldn't you wouldn't have the courage.
00:27:28
>> I'm uncomfortable. >> Yeah. Even as an adult, you you still don't feel comfortable having
00:27:33
>> No. >> No. just argue. Yeah. Respect. I like they can like snap at their
00:27:40
parents. I feel like if I can talk to them like if need be, I can go serious and be
00:27:47
like, "Hey, can I chat to you about that?" But I can't snap or I will be in
00:27:52
immense trouble. >> What does immense trouble mean when you're like a an out like a grown woman?
00:27:59
>> It's like everyone will know like you know and hit me up about it and I'll be
00:28:02
like, "Yeah, [ __ ] embarrassing. >> Well, thanks for sharing. Sorry for
00:28:07
being so curious about all this stuff as well. It's like it's just a different
00:28:10
world. >> Um, do you remember your very first time on stage doing comedy? >> Yes. It was for 50 people in the cellar
00:28:20
and most of that was my family. Um, and I just remember being backstage like, "Oh my god, why did I put myself
00:28:29
up for this?" And it was literally seconds when I got out and I was like, "Yeah, yeah." And
00:28:34
then I don't know, feel like a demon tapped me and then took over. >> Wow. Just like at pace. And
00:28:42
>> yeah. Were you were you well prepared? >> Yes, I was. Yeah, I did prepare for that
00:28:47
show. Um, but still went off script like I f and that was the those are my favorite parts
00:28:55
was going off script. >> Did you nail it? >> I think so. Yeah, I think so.
00:29:01
I think. Yeah. >> Have Have you ever like bombed on stage terribly or do you just have like the
00:29:08
natural chops to punch your way out of a bad situation? >> Yes. And that's the beauty of that craft
00:29:13
is if you are dropping to be like, how do I get out of here? >> So, yep. Have been close.
00:29:20
>> But that's interesting for like a young comedian like um I'm pretty good friends
00:29:24
with uh Jeremy Corbett and I've seen him perform a number of occasions. Okay. So,
00:29:28
he he's old. He's like 60 now and he's been doing it forever. But he's been in
00:29:32
every scenario imaginable. Like, so he >> whether it's a corporate gig or a thing
00:29:36
on stage, he can always figure a way out. Figure figure a way to win a crowd over.
00:29:41
>> Yeah. >> Um but you've you've you've got that those tools in your tool kit already.
00:29:45
>> Oh, yeah. I love it. Yeah. I don't know what the tool is. I think >> you also have to listen. So, like I've
00:29:52
got to listen to the audience. It can't just be me performing. I actually have
00:29:55
to. This is so yuck. But just like the show is alive. So >> why is that so yuck?
00:30:02
>> Because it's so artsy fartsy, but it's so true. I'm like, "Oh my god, the show
00:30:05
is alive." >> And And what do you mean by that? Listening to the audience.
00:30:10
Like they're either laughing or they're not, right? Or >> like And like what vibe is it? Like the
00:30:15
show I just did, people were yelling out and I was like, "Oh, we're going there.
00:30:18
Okay, we're going to go toe to toe and roasting each other." They kept yelling
00:30:21
out and it was >> it was cool. >> Oh, so like people are heckling you and
00:30:25
you just heckle back. Yeah. And then because of their heckles, I was able to heckle
00:30:31
>> and win. >> What do you have some like set set heckles? >> No.
00:30:37
>> No. You just roll with it. >> Yeah. I think that's the worst thing to
00:30:40
do is plan, >> right? I think a lot of people do plan. Eh, it's become it's become a thing where
00:30:45
like if you just go if you go with what's of Isn't that called crowd work
00:30:48
now? They've come up with a name for it. Crowd work. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I don't know if I could do crowd
00:30:54
work. I feel like if anyone could, you probably could. >> It just have to be.
00:31:02
>> Oh, I don't know. Yeah, I should have trained it. >> And did you What happened when you were
00:31:06
19? There was like a a panic attack or something on stage. An anxiety attack. >> Who? You
00:31:16
I read about this in an interview with you. Like there's there's some incident
00:31:19
when you when you were like 19 on stage. No, a good time at 19. No. >> Okay.
00:31:28
>> I don't know. >> I read that an interview somewhere. Oh, no. Maybe not.
00:31:33
>> No, I don't think I've had an anxiety attack before. >> No. Okay. Well, that's good.
00:31:37
>> Oh, >> okay. Misinformation. >> What? >> Fake news? >> Who's doing fake news about me?
00:31:43
>> So, 2020, um, you do the show, uh, Ode to South Oakland. >> Yes. >> Yeah. It was originally called some
00:31:51
something else something like more negative like um >> surviving >> surviving South Oakland or something.
00:31:56
Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So why did you change the name? >> Uh because so for my to South Oakland um
00:32:03
I found this little boy on Instagram. So his sister was posting up I was obviously um trying to explore stuff so
00:32:10
I could write it. And I found um the sister was uploading videos of her little brother and he was really
00:32:16
naughty. like the class is taking photos and he he's in the back like fighting
00:32:20
like fully fighting. Um so then I hoo her up and I was like can I hang out with your brother for a day? Like and
00:32:27
she actually gave him to me for one day. So I think >> How old was the brother? He
00:32:30
>> was four. >> But because we had a mutual friend, I was like I'm friends with this guy. Like
00:32:34
I'm not like creepy. I just I just want to hang out with him for a bit. Um and
00:32:38
then yeah, he came and met me at the preschool and one of my friends preschools and he was like she was like,
00:32:45
"You better behave." And he was going, "Yep, I will." And then as soon as she
00:32:48
left, he was like, "I'm bored." And I was like, "Oh, wo." And then he was
00:32:51
like, "Yeah, I don't want to be here, but she forced me to be here." And then
00:32:54
he just like this little honest boy came out. He was like, "Let's go for a walk."
00:32:57
And he wanted this bike just like I just had a really cool day with him. And then um I met these other
00:33:04
dudes doing raps on the streets and then I asked them if they wanted to be in the
00:33:09
show. So then by the end I just had a bunch of people and I got that little boy to come on stage and I just
00:33:15
interviewed him and he was like oh I was like oh give us a fun fact. He was like
00:33:19
Jesus died at 33. I'm like how'd you know that? He's like Siri. I was like oh
00:33:24
he's so good. And then and then I brought on the rappers and I was like you guys owe the rappers the same
00:33:30
respect that you just gave the little boy cuz that's who they are or who they
00:33:34
were or whatever or who this boy could grow up to be as these rappers. And then the rapper started rapping and the vibes
00:33:40
just went up and everyone was like, "Yeah." And so, yeah, that's what became
00:33:44
my That's a long story, but that's one of the reasons. >> Well, this is a long form podcast, so
00:33:48
there's plenty of time for these long stories. Yeah. But you'll be able to do
00:33:51
a better job explaining this show. So, this is a one-off show, owed to South Oakland.
00:33:55
>> Yeah. >> Um, and it was in the backyard of your house. >> Yes.
00:33:59
>> Yeah. So, why? >> Uh, because if it's my o to South Oakland, why not do it in South Oakland?
00:34:06
And I only know theater because I stumbled into a theater workshop and I love massive company and they opened me up to
00:34:13
this whole world. But that's the only reason that I know theater. If I had not
00:34:16
gone to that workshop, I don't know if I would go into a theater willingly. >> Yeah.
00:34:24
>> What do you do you feel have you done stuff at the classic? >> Yes, once.
00:34:30
>> Do you feel you don't feel like you belong there? Like a lot of people
00:34:32
>> like I can go in there, but like why would I go in there if the magic's in
00:34:36
South Oakland? M right. So, I might be paraphrasing here, but are you like um instead of having
00:34:44
your fans come to you, you may as well go to your fans? >> Yeah. Well, I don't think they're like
00:34:49
fans. I think they're like mates. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Just like a bunch of
00:34:54
I've constantly gone to the city and not been met. >> Oh, people don't get you or
00:35:00
>> like No, no, more like behind the scenes stuff. It's like there's obviously like cultural barriers
00:35:07
and stuff, but when I bring it home, it's so easy. I just show up to the backyard. People show bring their box
00:35:13
and we just have a little party and that's it. There's no rules, no like you
00:35:17
got to do this and that and whatever. It just happens and then it's one night and
00:35:21
it's over. >> So this this was only done once. This owed to South Oakland.
00:35:26
>> Was done once in the backyard and then I went to the basement with it. >> And how how long how long was the
00:35:31
buildup for that show? Uh, one week >> one week build up. How how did you advertise it or market it?
00:35:38
>> Uh, Instagram, >> right? >> Yeah. >> And then um did like were you scared in
00:35:43
the leadup to it like that it was going to be as popular as what it was? >> No, I don't. I just thought in my head
00:35:50
it was going to be like 50 people and I was going to be like this is weird. Haha. And then the streets shut out and
00:35:56
I was like oh wow people are walking from the streets over. >> Yeah. You end up with like 250 people
00:36:03
there. >> Yeah. >> So, so where was it? It was on your backyard. >> Yeah.
00:36:08
>> So, you were on a like a deck or was there a stage there? >> Cuz this is another thing. You you told
00:36:13
told no one that they allowed their cell phones and they had to be in the moment.
00:36:16
Um, which is wonderful, but on the flip side of that, it's also unfortunate because you got this incredible event
00:36:21
which was was a oneand done and there's not too much footage of it in existence.
00:36:27
Quite nice if it was. >> I don't think so. Like I was there. I know what happened and I'll know what
00:36:33
happened forever and so will the other people. >> I love your outlook. >> I just think Yeah.
00:36:41
>> I've got some more questions about this. Like where did everyone go to the
00:36:43
bathroom? >> In the house. So >> who like who did your family know know
00:36:50
that this was going on? >> Uh like three days before I was like uh guys please I'm going to go. No
00:36:56
actually. Yeah. When I posted the video, they were like, "What are you are you
00:36:59
doing a backup show here?" I was like, "Yes." And so then they just started
00:37:03
mowing lawns. They just got onto it >> and and where did everyone park >> or did the streets and then walked over?
00:37:12
So like it was just cars and cars. >> Did you get anyone from like the council
00:37:17
or the police trying to shut it down on >> No. >> No. >> Yeah.
00:37:23
>> It just happened. >> It's crazy. And there was no And there's
00:37:26
no chaos, no trouble, no fights, no nothing. It's a really good crowd. >> Yeah.
00:37:31
>> Crazy. And like nothing got taken from the house or >> No. >> Yeah.
00:37:38
>> It's just so many people to have in someone's backyard on an impromptu
00:37:43
night. >> Yeah. >> And and from your perspective, like what made the show so good?
00:37:48
um that it was gold coin which mean which opened it up to kind of everyone and that everyone came and just
00:38:03
I don't know it's like heaps of me cuz we all brought up in the same place so
00:38:07
it's like a bunch of us in the same place laughing. >> Yeah. Also just like having no I had no idea
00:38:15
like what it was going to become. That actually started my career I think. >> Yeah. How did that not make the news?
00:38:25
>> Cuz it's very private. >> No, but there was 250 people there.
00:38:30
Yeah. I know. It's it's it's it's crazy. It's intriguing. It's such a wonderful
00:38:33
concept. But I Yeah. I feel like it had to be just that moment in time. It had to be like a one a one-off thing.
00:38:39
>> Yeah. >> That's what makes it special. Um, and then during during co when you
00:38:44
know, do you remember the like the traffic light system and the different levels?
00:38:48
>> You were doing some really small shows. Hey, like shows for 10 people. >> Yeah. I wonder if I'll get in trouble
00:38:54
for that. I don't think so. >> No, I think you were like respecting the
00:38:57
rules they had at the time about gathering sizes and things. >> So, there was um Yeah. What were they?
00:39:02
There was one at a barber shop, one in one in your mate's sleepout. >> Yes. I did a South Oakland tour. So I
00:39:07
did one in Mangad Pep who at a barber shop um rewa in a sleep uh where was it one in Dawson in a shed.
00:39:20
Yeah just sort of South Oakland tour for 10 people only. It's really fun. >> How do you It is fun but how do you work
00:39:26
it how do you work a crowd that that small? >> I think it's really weird. It's It
00:39:33
already breaks the awkwardness that 10 of you are here and you've come listen
00:39:37
to me tell jokes. So I think it's we've already passed a little silly line. So I just
00:39:43
got to pick you up from that line. Yeah. >> Yeah. I suppose you just have to treat
00:39:49
it like the intimate crowd that it is. >> Yeah. >> So will you do shows like that in Samoa?
00:39:55
>> Uh I would love to do shows in Samoa. I just I want to go to Samoa just for a
00:39:59
month and just sleep >> and then figure out what I'm going to do after that.
00:40:04
>> Yeah, I've heard you say that. What do you mean? Are you just exhausted?
00:40:06
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I'm tired. [Laughter] I had a funeral and then I came back to
00:40:14
I was going to cancel the show, but I thought I'd want to say bye to Ali. So,
00:40:20
I came back to do the show and then went to Brisbane and then got back a few days
00:40:26
ago. My dog got sick. Had to catch up with some family. Did some ads this morning. Got you today. Got a premiere
00:40:33
tonight. Oh, >> okay. Yeah. >> Got a media day tomorrow. It's like go
00:40:37
go go. >> Right. Yeah, it is a lot. Yeah, cuz I I suppose I didn't think about something
00:40:41
like this as work, but it is it's you. It's It's a There's a >> Oh, it's not It's cool, but
00:40:46
>> No, but there's still a performative aspect to it for a couple of hours.
00:40:48
Like, you got to be on. Yeah. Yeah. Well, thanks for being here today. >> No, thank I trust anyone that Cully
00:40:53
trusts. >> Oh, yeah. We'll get to that. Christian Cullen. Um, yeah, from Celebrity
00:40:58
Treasure Island. Um, just a few more on the comedy thing. So, yeah. What's your
00:41:02
writing style, prep style? Like, do you do you write a fresh show for all these like the the um the O to South Oakland,
00:41:08
the big one in the backyard, or these little ones that you're doing for 10 10
00:41:12
people? Is it the same show or do you >> uh No. So, when I explored, I literally
00:41:18
looked around and found that little boy and then the older boys and then wrote around that. um put some lip-s syncing
00:41:26
in there. Was lip-s syncing to a rapper, Lily Allen, I think it was. Um and then
00:41:32
it kind of all pieced together as just these beautiful stories woven together. Um and then
00:41:39
I usually write, but for the last one, I thought to freestyle my standup. So, I just went in knowing what to talk about,
00:41:46
like what stories to tell, and then had a bit of liquor. And then I even I was surprised at the punch lines. I was
00:41:54
like, "Oh my god, this is good." >> Do you do you think um Yeah. Does a
00:42:00
little bit of liquor help your performance? >> I've never drank like that before. I did
00:42:03
that for the last show. Was I was just in a like wow mood and so I did that and it went really well.
00:42:12
>> I might have to do that all the time. >> Um yeah. What What sort of stuff do you
00:42:15
do in your What's the most vulnerable thing you've talked about on stage?
00:42:19
Uh uh just this last one just was talking about stuff that I do in my room and I
00:42:27
still have a vivid imagination and actually go into characters in my room when I'm alone and then I showed it to
00:42:34
them on the stage. Yeah, cuz I don't think people think that that's real. Well, I've never told
00:42:39
anyone. >> Really? What do you mean? Can you explain that a bit more? >> Like I'll be in my room and then I'll
00:42:43
play some music and then I'll just like turn into a cyclist. I don't know. and
00:42:47
then start talking out loud >> saying >> no one's in there like >> Right.
00:42:53
>> So, who who do you live with now? You are you in your family home or No, you
00:42:57
live on your own with your dog. >> Uh, no, it's me and my dog and then my
00:43:01
siblings and my grandparents and my parents. >> Oh, okay. So, you've got your own room.
00:43:05
>> Yeah, I got a >> Yeah. Yeah. That's where you do the >> sleep. Yeah,
00:43:08
>> that's where you you do the performance. Um, >> what about your worst bombing on stage?
00:43:15
>> Ooh. Has there even been one or have you been able to well I'm trying to think
00:43:22
>> work your way out of it? >> No, I did a really I think um when it was
00:43:33
when I was at Snort and I came out I can't remember I said something really stupid like really
00:43:39
>> snort's like an improv comedy >> improv. Yeah. >> And I was like yeah let's go. And it was
00:43:44
like something like I can't remember what the line was. I said it and like the audience was
00:43:50
silent and I was like damn this I don't know these guys and they don't know me
00:43:55
and I've come out talking about freaking I don't know ass eating or something. It
00:43:58
was something stupid eating. >> Yeah. But it was silent and I was like okay. And Tom Sainsbury saved me. I
00:44:04
think it was Tom who came in and >> had my back. When when something like that happens, are you are you just like
00:44:11
in in a panic moment or is part of you thinking, oh, the fact that this bombed so badly is going to I'm going to talk
00:44:17
about this another time and it's going to make it funny. >> It's also funny cuz it's like of course
00:44:22
they don't know me. Why would I come out with that? >> Can you remember what the line was?
00:44:27
>> It was something like a like you know it was something stupid and I just came and
00:44:31
oneelined it and then I and I was like and it was silent and I was like oh [ __ ]
00:44:36
that's right. So that's the moment you leave the room. Like it's not an ass
00:44:40
crowd. Um, how does how does your family react to content? Like do they ever feel
00:44:45
like exposed or like embarrassed? Do they like you stop telling stories about us or are they quite encouraging and
00:44:52
supportive? >> No, I don't think they even they just think it's so they're having a laugh as
00:44:56
well. I think it's uh about how you share certain stories. Like I haven't
00:45:00
got in trouble for sharing any >> Yeah. stories about my family yet. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, they're quite supportive
00:45:07
now. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And they're quite happy with your career path.
00:45:12
>> Yeah. Yeah. I think so. >> Um, is there one joke that you regret telling on stage?
00:45:19
>> No. >> I I heard you in another podcast talking about um and you didn't say you
00:45:24
regretted it, but um apparently the crowd turned on you. You told some Kobe Bryant joke or something.
00:45:30
>> Kobe Bryant helicopter crash. >> They turned on me up. So, the crowd in
00:45:33
there like loved it. It was after it was the aftermath. I posted a short uh clip
00:45:38
and then they went ham for me in the comments. Then again I was like why are you calm down everyone calm down and I
00:45:44
removed it. Another thing like everyone went ham. They were like I will come kill your family.
00:45:50
>> Yeah. >> Oh they take it really serious. >> Oh yeah. >> Wow.
00:45:53
>> I was like wow. >> Did they know Kobe personally? >> I was like wow. Okay. Kobe's nephews.
00:45:59
>> Um yeah. Well, are you is that something that plays on your mind like cancellation or the fear of cancel
00:46:04
culture or >> you can't cancel a human? >> Like I will still be alive.
00:46:11
>> Well, have to keep going. Doesn't >> Yeah. I think you can be so chill about
00:46:16
that cuz you got such a good grasp on it like um it's not like what you do doesn't define who you are.
00:46:22
>> No. But also people are always learning. Like I think counseling stops people
00:46:26
like it doesn't give them the chance to learn or >> overcome something.
00:46:32
>> Yeah. >> Unless they're a real dicky. It's like >> Yeah. Keep doing the same joke over and
00:46:37
over again. It's like >> Yeah. Otherwise, it should be a teaching exercise.
00:46:41
>> Is that part of the reason you largely sort of avoid social media? >> Just the [ __ ]
00:46:48
>> Yeah. I don't really care to take photos of food or I don't know.
00:46:56
But a lot of people um a lot of people use it as like a like an extension of your personal brand, like a branding
00:47:02
exercise. Yeah. >> Um >> it looks like a necessary tool to have to get, you know, to get the jobs or to
00:47:09
promote what you've got to promote. But you just seem sort of indifferent about
00:47:11
it. >> I feel that if you have shows, it's the producers's job to promote. It's
00:47:17
production's job to promote. It's not mine. I'm gonna get a show. I just, you know,
00:47:24
like when I promote my own shows, I'm literally I'm the director, the producer
00:47:29
there, so I promote my own shows, but then other people's shows, I'm like,
00:47:33
>> I shouldn't have to bombard my No, I look it looks like a work page. I'm
00:47:37
like, "Hey guys." >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. But then people that follow you
00:47:40
are people that love you. So it's like fish in a barrel. So you can be like,
00:47:43
"Hey guys." And they're like, "Yeah, we'll travel to >> wherever she's putting a show on."
00:47:48
But then also like my family's on there and I want to post normal stuff, >> but I can't cuz now it's a work page.
00:47:56
>> Yeah. >> You're like such a reluctant celebrity. >> I love it. I love it. It's so
00:48:02
refreshing. All right, let's talk about the Tina from Turner stuff. >> Yes.
00:48:06
>> So, um, how did this come about? Was that a character that you did on your
00:48:11
shows or >> No, I that was all scripted, so I auditioned for it. So, do do you have
00:48:16
anything to do with the writing or No, >> no, >> no. >> I auditioned for it late as well. So, I
00:48:20
came in I just saw it and was like there's no way that I'm going to get that um cuz it seemed
00:48:28
kind of out of grasp, you know, it's and I just started in the industry and then
00:48:32
went for the audition, got the call literally the next week. >> How many people did they audition? Do
00:48:37
you know? >> I have no idea, but they had they had someone set for it. So, they had someone
00:48:43
uh already ready to be Tina and then I sent my tape in late and then stole it. Send my tape in late.
00:48:56
Oh my god. Oh my god. John Le, like you must be such a headache. >> Um, so yeah, what did you do in the
00:49:04
audition? Did you record something on tape at home? Um, so they it was a No, it was with the director.
00:49:11
>> Yeah. >> But they my Johnson and Le pushed me to do it. I was like, "No, I don't want to
00:49:16
do it." And then Dennis who's at Johnson and Lead was like, "You have to do you
00:49:20
have to go for this one." So then I went and met with the director and I think I
00:49:23
was the last and late. Um, and then he was like, "Can you just make love to a
00:49:28
car?" I was like, "Fucking that's my dream." So I just made love to a car for 10
00:49:35
minutes and he was going that's amazing. >> So that that audition they they gave you
00:49:42
direction of what to do or was it >> Yeah. >> And and it was largely what we see on TV
00:49:47
now. >> Well then he they had sent me a script and I learned it and then that's what
00:49:53
you see on TV is the I saw the script and I was like I love this character. She's cuck.
00:50:01
Is there some story about your hair? Like you you you you had your hair a certain way for the audition, then you
00:50:06
got drunk and you >> Yeah. >> shaved your hair and you turned up for
00:50:08
What's the story there? >> That's exactly it. I had long hair down
00:50:12
to my like down here, long curly hair, auditioned and then got really drunk and shaved my head. I I I know it looks bad
00:50:20
cuz I'm wearing a wig now, but it's not a normal thing. I only did that one
00:50:24
time. Um, so is any of it improvised or is it all scripted or have they used any bits?
00:50:32
Is it scripted and there's been bits that you've improvised that end up making it on screen?
00:50:35
>> Yes. So there's like scripted parts and then that online everywhere.
00:50:40
>> M. >> They literally told me to tell everyone that online that it's online.
00:50:44
>> Yeah. >> And then we're like go. >> So So you do the ads and then um you you
00:50:50
get paid whatever money it is. Is it good good money? Reasonable money. >> I think they look after me. Yeah. What's
00:50:56
got to be better than doing >> so mafia? They look after me. >> Well, it's got to be it's got to be more
00:51:01
lucrative than doing shows for a gold coin donation and a mate sleep out. >> Yeah.
00:51:05
>> Um so you do the ad, it pays well then you just get on with your life. >> And like when are you aware of the
00:51:12
impact it's having? uh like the more people kept coming and then like the news were hitting me up but I
00:51:23
wasn't allowed to talk about turns at that time. So radio stations like a bunch of people were hitting me up and I
00:51:28
was like I actually can't come on. I'm not allowed to talk about it. And that's
00:51:31
when I realized wow this is kind of out of hand like getting when I get stopped. It was really weird
00:51:40
but people love it and I love people so I was like cool I'll take this photo but
00:51:44
it's really weird. >> Yeah. Was it was it fun or was it quite um unnerving? Like how how was it? Like
00:51:52
yeah, you you were so so famous when those ads came out. It >> was like Tina from Turners was
00:51:57
everywhere. And it's you. It's Bubba. >> Yeah. >> Just I don't know. Like
00:52:05
>> enjoyable or like a little bit Oh, >> yeah. I was a little like No, no, no.
00:52:09
That's not me. I'm actually She doesn't have blue hair. >> Exactly. So I would be like, "No, it's
00:52:15
not me. It's my sister." And and so what are people saying to you? Like
00:52:21
>> Oh, they it was so much love, you know. People were like, "We love those ads. We
00:52:25
like never skip it." And they would recite it back to me. So I learned to love it as well.
00:52:31
>> But you know, it's really it's weird for it to happen like that. Just people come
00:52:36
at you and want photos. And I'm not even like I'm acting like I'm Halle Berry,
00:52:41
but like I mean like >> No, no, no. No, as as I said at the beginning of this, it's like um
00:52:47
everyone's familiar with the Briscos lady and I feel like like Tina from Turners over the last few years has been
00:52:52
the like the the like the standout thing in advertising in New Zealand. Like it's
00:52:57
really had what you'd call cutth through like it's a marketer's dream.
00:53:00
>> That's weird. E. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> It just in a big way. And I feel like
00:53:04
it's because people like the character which is you >> I think so. Yeah. I think they love.
00:53:09
We're also talking about it that it came out after co. So Tina coming out and
00:53:13
being like, "Hi guys, was something for New Zealand to love because we've just
00:53:19
gone through co." >> Any negative or is it all positive? >> I've had a few um older senior men come
00:53:26
in to sit me down and tell me what to do with my career, but that's it. That's
00:53:30
the only way. >> They're just like, "We don't like the ads. Uh horrible ads. Don't like them.
00:53:36
what you should do is go to um rewrite them and you can come out like they have a lot of advice. I'm like
00:53:42
okay >> is it giving you like >> why don't you go be Tina and then we'll
00:53:46
see we'll see what you come up with. >> Yeah. When was the realiz when was there
00:53:52
a moment that you realized that Tina had gone like full full-blown? >> I was like she's out of control. It's
00:53:56
gone. It's gone out of control. Um just literally of people if you'd walk
00:54:02
outside and a bunch of people would be like Tina but I'm kind of It's weirdly normal for people and it's
00:54:09
something that I love it for um Polynesians, you know, they're all like Tina, especially the elders,
00:54:15
they're all like we love her and so I'm really proud of that. >> And then um Tina Turner dies.
00:54:22
>> Yes. >> What's that like? >> Um that made the news. >> People in New Zealand were worried that
00:54:31
Latina from Turners had died. That's the first time I realized I was old. You know, when our parents tell us,
00:54:38
oh, you know, you like when they feel like they're old because we don't know
00:54:41
their kind of musicians. That's the first time that happened to me >> was because kids didn't know who Tina
00:54:47
Turner was. So, they all thought I had died. >> Grateful. That was very lovely response.
00:54:54
>> Oh, so so during that period where you were contract contractually not allowed
00:54:58
to talk about it, why why so why was it a why was it a secret thing? just to um keep that illusion going for people.
00:55:05
They loved her so much and were showing up to turn us to find her. Right. >> We don't want to break it.
00:55:11
>> Oh, like break the fourth wall that it's just a comedian/ actor. Yeah. Right.
00:55:15
>> I also don't want to do that to people either. >> Break the >> They loved her. They loved Tina.
00:55:21
>> Yeah. And has anything um else good come from it? Any other opportunities or anything?
00:55:30
I think Yeah, I think just more heaps of love. I I don't know if opportunities
00:55:34
because I don't think you can recreate Tina anywhere else. >> Yeah. >> And um what about the family, your
00:55:43
family, people that care about you the most? Like was this the moment for them where they're like, "Oh, okay. Bubba
00:55:48
wants to do this unusual career path and it's paying off." >> Yeah. And also they've got all the
00:55:54
Turners merchandise. I know my grandparents are church celebrities right now cuz they've got all the
00:55:59
Turners jumpers and it so they wear it. It's their converter. They just wear it
00:56:03
everywhere. So someone will ask them. >> Oh, that's so cool. They're so proud.
00:56:09
>> That's so awesome. Do you still go to church? >> Um I did miss Yeah. You know what?
00:56:15
That's [Laughter] I should be going to church, but I have missed a lot of church recently. like
00:56:24
like a lot of juice has in years. >> I think you can still be a good person
00:56:27
without is it different in some c culture like or can you still just be a good person and
00:56:33
>> identify as being Christian or whatever without going to church? >> Hard up. But I still try to go when I
00:56:40
can cuz >> I grew up in it and I love my pastor and my church. >> Yeah. Do do you like going um like for
00:56:46
the sermon and the message or is it the sense of community? >> Oh, sermon and message I like. Yeah.
00:56:53
Yeah, >> I like picking what I like from there. >> Unless it gets too real. I'm outside
00:57:00
having a smoke. >> What do you mean real? >> This might relate to me. I'm going to
00:57:04
go. >> Um, okay. So, you're moving to Samoa and but the the Tina from Turner commercials
00:57:13
are still going to keep going. >> Yes. So, >> yeah. So, you they'll flow you back
00:57:17
every >> I think if that EP >> Yeah. How many ads have you done? you
00:57:22
you were doing some radio commercials for uh Turner. >> They got some stuff in the pipeline that
00:57:26
they should be >> Yeah. >> And and the song you did, that's the most recent.
00:57:32
>> Yeah. So, yeah. How was that? So, someone else wrote that. You didn't have
00:57:37
a hand in writing it? >> No, someone else wrote that. Yeah, that was really fun to film. I think that was
00:57:41
Yeah, that was a really long shoot. >> Which I did before leaving to Sour for
00:57:47
that funeral. And so, that's al I have not had a break. Yeah. >> You do you think the move move to some
00:57:55
you just need like a maybe a break for a few months and then you'll get itchy
00:57:57
feet and want to come back or do you think >> No. >> No. >> Yeah.
00:58:00
>> How can you be so certain? >> Cuz when I'm there I'm there when I'm
00:58:03
not tired. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I don't know what it is. I just feel
00:58:07
really grounded as soon as I hit the pavement of getting getting off the plane >> and then I hear the sounds of sour and
00:58:16
I'm like, "Oh, >> that's me." Oh, that's cool. >> Yeah.
00:58:21
>> So, you you got some um some Turner's cash and what's your cost of living over
00:58:26
there? What do you need? >> Um not a lot cuz we have plantation. Um and animals.
00:58:35
So, not really a lot. >> Yeah. >> It's just not a financially driven
00:58:40
>> no >> a way of life, is it? >> No. >> That's so cool.
00:58:45
>> Yeah. Don't you worry about like ending up with nothing. Like that's I've I'm
00:58:50
I'm projecting here, but I've got um I've got a strange relationship with
00:58:53
money. Like I'm I don't know. I think because we we grew up in a as I said a
00:58:57
middle-ass household, but it was still sort of a scarcity household. Like felt like we were
00:59:02
>> never >> felt like we were always poor compared to the other kids. Like other kids would
00:59:06
have a microwave or a video or nice bikes or nice clothes and we wouldn't. So because of that, I feel like I've got
00:59:12
a strange relationship with money where I'm always scared of of running out or
00:59:15
not having enough. >> You don't you just don't have that at all. >> No, I should though. Like I'm I should
00:59:21
be an adult. But >> um >> Yeah. Cuz you're in a position where you
00:59:24
like you could do like a lot of good for a lot of people in your in your family or your community. Eh,
00:59:30
>> and I do. Yeah. Like I help >> where I can and >> Yeah. I think I just
00:59:38
>> they'll have someone to run to anytime that they need over there, you know. And
00:59:43
>> I also want to learn how to plant stuff >> like what? >> Like coconut trees and
00:59:48
>> I want to do a plantation. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I think it's just a new journey.
00:59:53
>> Everyone's so amazed by it. I'm just going flight. I went down the road.
00:59:59
>> No, but the fact that you're like, "No, no, no. It's not a it's not a it's not a
01:00:02
break. It's not a whim. It's not a sabbatical. This is it. and it's unlikely I'm coming back. Um because it
01:00:08
just feels like you're on the the the cusp of um you know like I suppose it's
01:00:11
called a tipping point in your career and you're just like sort of turning your back on it. And I think it takes a
01:00:15
lot of courage to do that. But uh I mean you're doing what's going to make you
01:00:19
happy and I think that's really empowering. >> Well, I'll be able to give my best to my
01:00:24
if I get, you know, jobs here and they call for me, I'll be able to give my best because I'll be at my happiest.
01:00:30
>> Yeah. Have you not been at your happiest? >> No. My happiest is in Sour,
01:00:36
>> right? >> Like still happy here, but >> in I don't know what it is in Sour.
01:00:40
>> Yeah. Have you Have you got a partner or anything or you just on your sle? Yeah.
01:00:43
Just you and your dog. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, you're at an age and a stage
01:00:47
of life where I suppose you you can just do this. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I've got no kids or anything, so I can
01:00:52
actually dip out. >> You want to have kids at some point? >> I don't know.
01:00:56
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. I've got no idea. All right, let's talk um Celebrity
01:01:03
Treasure Island. >> Yes. >> So, you've been on the most recent series which um was on TV last year,
01:01:09
2024. >> Um yeah. What did you know of it? I feel like you're probably not much of a TV
01:01:13
watcher. >> No. >> So, you knew nothing about the show? >> No.
01:01:17
>> So, Johnston and Le, your agents, they they call you and they say, "Oh, you
01:01:21
want to do this?" >> Do Treasure Island, but didn't really say what it was.
01:01:24
>> And do you say no immediately or yes immediately? Yeah. >> What did I I was on another job and so
01:01:31
there was going to be a clash and then they were like, "You got to do it. It's
01:01:36
a really good show." I had said no to Treasure Island, I think, left years before that cuz I just heard you you had
01:01:42
to be fit. So I said no. But then this time on a whim said yes. And then I'm
01:01:49
glad that I went on this season. >> Why? Why did you say yes? It pays pretty
01:01:52
good money now. I I did a series with them about 15 years ago and we just got >> Oh, we on it.
01:01:56
>> Yeah. Yeah, we just got a flat rate. But I think now you get a like a couple of
01:01:59
grand a day or something. >> I don't know. >> You can't. >> You're going to get me in trouble.
01:02:05
>> You don't have to talk about it. Um so yeah, you're on the 2024 season. You
01:02:10
you did really well, too. You were there 17 days. >> Yes. I got right down to the end and
01:02:14
then Cully knocked me out. >> Yeah. So Christian Kullan um you and him sort of became like almost like best
01:02:21
friends on the show. Who Duncan Garner was on the show as well. He wasn't on
01:02:25
for very long No. >> Did you get on well? >> Yeah, I got I think I got on with
01:02:30
everyone. Yeah, I don't think I left there with any bad bad blood. >> Yeah. So, what did you what did you know
01:02:37
of the other people on the show? >> Uh, I just did not know anyone except for JP and Gabby. Um,
01:02:44
>> or JP who ended up winning. >> Yes. So, I only knew JP. >> That was it. That's all. And Jane. M.
01:02:52
>> So, who who did you meet that you became like really good friends with that you'd
01:02:55
keep in touch with? >> Uh, Kali and Milan, >> right? Yeah. Right. >> What are the three of you,
01:03:01
>> eh? >> Yeah. I love Milan. He's so weird. He's like >> the ultimate dad.
01:03:08
>> Like nerd dad. >> And what about Kelly? What did you know about him?
01:03:12
>> Not a thing. But Michelle was like, that's Christian. >> Michelle.
01:03:18
>> Uh, I don't know her last name. Who's Michelle? Is she one of the one of the
01:03:22
other contestants? >> Yes. >> Yeah. Right. Right. Right. >> Um she's an actress.
01:03:26
>> Okay. But and you you don't know you you never watched rugby. You don't know who
01:03:29
he is. >> No. >> Right. You've heard of um Jon Lom, the Tongen. >> Yes.
01:03:33
>> Yeah. So they were playing at the same time. >> Oh my god. No one's ever told me that
01:03:37
before. >> Right. What do you mean? Did you think he was playing years before that or
01:03:42
>> I thought it was ancient. >> Why? Yes. So, so you meet and do you do
01:03:48
you um connect straight away? >> He was talking about sour cuz I was talking about sour and I was me and oh
01:03:55
me and Mo is another one. I think I got really close with her too. I'm talking to her about sour and then
01:04:01
he starts talking about sour. I'm like here we go this tourist and and then I heard him say that that's
01:04:06
his like talking about his village and then I was like are you sour and that was it and then I just annoyed him. I
01:04:13
was like teaching him words. He like did not ask for that. >> Yeah. Because watching it on I mean all
01:04:20
we saw was the the little bits and pieces on screen but you seem to have have like a really nice connection
01:04:24
almost like um Yeah. Almost like he's like a father figure in a way. >> Yeah.
01:04:28
>> Yeah. >> Like what they didn't show was that he cuz I it was like athletics with
01:04:33
athletes. So like >> I was vulnerable. I was like, "Damn, I am not an athlete." But he would be
01:04:40
like, "Come on, Bubba." And like encourage me like yell out for me. It
01:04:44
just was really good. And then after that, even he would be like, "See, you
01:04:48
did really well." And he would check in with me. And I'm like, "The hell?"
01:04:52
You're like, "My dad." >> So, he's just really nice and supportive
01:04:56
and encouraging. Yeah. >> And then I just started annoying the [ __ ] out of him.
01:05:01
>> In what way? >> Just by waking him up too early, throwing pillows at him.
01:05:07
Yeah, just annoy him. And every time I don't know, say go left, I'd go right.
01:05:11
It's like, >> and have have you kept in touch since? He's he's a very He's a hard guy to keep
01:05:17
in touch with though. You don't get a lot out of him. >> Or is that just me?
01:05:20
>> Sorry. >> Is that right? Sometimes sometimes I'll message him, I'll get a text back like
01:05:26
two days later. Is that not He's not like that with everyone. Oh m he gave me your number to come on the
01:05:35
podcast. Yeah. >> Oh yeah. >> But I I didn't um I didn't hit him up
01:05:39
for any um like goss or ice breakers about you cuz I just didn't think >> Oh,
01:05:42
>> it's not just not sort of the style. >> Yeah. >> So what how often do you guys keep in
01:05:47
touch now? >> Uh we message now and then. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. When we first came out it was like
01:05:54
>> Yeah. >> with Milan. Me, Kelly, and Milan. How good you you go through this
01:05:59
experience together. I suppose it seems like a big thing and then after a while,
01:06:03
you know, you get back into your normal day-to-day life and you sort of forget about the trauma of CTI.
01:06:07
>> It is a bit crazy. >> Is it? Yeah. 17 days there. Did Did it sort of [ __ ] with your head a bit?
01:06:13
>> Well, it was just weird cuz everyone was serious about the game and so I was
01:06:17
like, damn, it doesn't turn off like when the cameras go off. Like it's like being in
01:06:23
jail, >> you know? like your >> well it becomes your whole your whole
01:06:27
world your whole ecosystem. I remember yeah when I got voted off like for the first couple of days afterwards you're
01:06:32
like you're in back in the hotel but you're just imagining what's going on.
01:06:34
>> Yeah. >> Like oh right now they'll be sitting around doing this. What was your biggest
01:06:38
like surprise about the show? >> Um that they actually starve you. You don't they don't
01:06:46
>> give you food when the cameras go nope. You're on beans and rice. And if you
01:06:51
don't soak the beans for 10 hours, you can't cook them because they're not good
01:06:54
for you. So if you forgot the beans, you just had rice that day. >> Yeah. So it's Did you lose weight over
01:07:01
there? >> Yes. I got to go again. Oh my god. I came out and went straight back into my bad eating habits.
01:07:10
>> Yeah. And what about um your biggest things you learned about yourself on
01:07:13
Treasure Island? >> Ooh. um that I'm kind of sporty like I was actually like damn I really did that.
01:07:27
That's cool. I thought that I would I was really scared of being the guy that
01:07:30
like lets the team down. You know, you don't want to be that guy that's like
01:07:34
but we actually didn't end up having that and I wasn't it, >> you know?
01:07:39
>> That's cool. Yeah. Yeah. Were you were you super proud of yourself at how far
01:07:42
you got? >> I've only got to top four. Hell yeah. It made it to last second to last day
01:07:47
>> and I was really proud of that because then my family didn't have to stop
01:07:50
watching the show early. >> Oh, they >> you know, like they get to watch it
01:07:54
right to the end. I was like, "Oh [ __ ] you guys are lucky I didn't get
01:07:57
>> Yeah. Cuz a lot of people a lot of people if their friend gets voted off,
01:07:59
they'll be like, "Oh, no. The show's gone to [ __ ] It's gone to [ __ ] now."
01:08:03
>> Um Yeah. And what was the uh Yeah. What was the hardest thing about it? the food
01:08:10
aspect or was it just the the [ __ ] mind games? >> Yeah, food and the the mind games.
01:08:20
>> Yeah, food and the mind games maybe. >> Mhm. Yeah. People end up taking these
01:08:24
things really seriously. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Like we'll live and die for it.
01:08:28
>> Yeah. Um were you surprised at how emotional you got when people were getting voted off and sent home and
01:08:36
>> or were you emotional? I think I was an emotional woman. I'm an emotional I'm I
01:08:41
I'm very empathetic. I So I was like, "Oh, that's like, you know," and
01:08:46
everyone's crying, but I just was I was like, "Guys, it's like we'll literally see each other
01:08:52
soon. I don't get it." Yeah, you've just got like a good a good grasp on things, eh? On what's important
01:09:00
and what's not. >> I don't know. And I suppose I suppose for a lot of people like this would
01:09:05
definitely be an issue for me is um I I do have like quite a se severe addiction
01:09:10
to technology like I'm always on my phone. I'm always on social media. >> Um whereas you're not and you can quite
01:09:16
easily turn your back from it. So that wouldn't be like an issue for you that I
01:09:21
suppose the first couple of days on Treasure Island people would be like, "Oh, it's so weird not having your
01:09:24
phone." But for you, no big deal. >> I was still on my brick phone when when
01:09:27
I went in. So >> yeah. What what was that all about going to the brick phone?
01:09:35
>> Why did I have get a brick phone? Oh, >> what was it? Like a no like a Nokia or
01:09:39
uh >> Yeah, the really old brick phones that >> just everyone looking at their phones
01:09:44
and I was like, "Oh, I don't want to do that." I don't know if I was one of
01:09:49
those people, but I didn't I wanted to make sure I wasn't. So, I went back to
01:09:53
the brick phone. >> When was the moment of realization? heaps of places like everywhere you walk
01:09:59
in the elevator and the in the markets like everyone's face down and I was like am I crazy or was
01:10:07
everyone looking down and then when I got a big phone >> it's interesting so it's not like you
01:10:14
you had a problem but you just didn't want to be part of the problem >> yeah and I don't think that they have a
01:10:19
problem being on the phone like the phone's like part of today's culture so
01:10:23
>> Oh can be a problem I if it's an addiction. >> Yeah. Well, I don't care if you're
01:10:29
looking at your phone. I just >> I don't know. I want to be out here. >> So So um when you go back to summer,
01:10:37
what will you have like in terms of a phone? >> I'll go back to my brick phone.
01:10:40
>> Will you? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Cuz I only need it for calls.
01:10:47
>> Yeah. Calls from like Johnson and Johnson, >> right? Just work opportunities.
01:10:52
>> Yeah. But beyond beyond that, um beyond that and your family members that are
01:10:56
here and I suppose a few close friends, um everything you need is right there in
01:11:00
your village. >> Yeah. >> [ __ ] It's such a cool way to live your
01:11:04
life. >> Come visit. >> Can I? >> Yeah. Come. >> I will.
01:11:10
I'd love to. I'd love to come over. I love some. Um that's a really Yeah. I
01:11:17
mean, I was online last night. I read some some comments that someone wrote about me and it put me in a bad mood and
01:11:22
it was someone that I don't even don't even know. And I think the life that you
01:11:26
were going away to lead, but that's not an issue. You're surrounded by surrounded by love. You're surrounded by
01:11:31
family. You know, everyone in your village. >> Um >> why did that get you down?
01:11:37
>> I we just did for five minutes cuz I was [ __ ] off that someone would write some
01:11:40
[ __ ] about me. And then um and then I'm like, I don't even know this person.
01:11:43
It's a fake name. Like why do I care? And I I I got out of my own head for a
01:11:47
second, but um it's amazing. I I think that's feel you're looking at me like
01:11:52
I'm abnormal, but I think most people are probably like that and they have a
01:11:54
visceral reaction to someone, you know, writing something mean about you, even if their opinion doesn't matter.
01:12:00
>> Like I don't know who it is. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> But you're okay that it upset you for a
01:12:05
bit. >> Um one last Treasure Island one. Can you remember the most meaningful
01:12:10
conversation you had with any of the contestants? Is is there something that stands out that would stick with you?
01:12:15
Um Milan I Milan was um it wasn't on camera but Milan was thinking about going home and it was just him. Um and
01:12:26
he was you know a bit emotional and I went over to him. He was he said to me, "Oh, I'm thinking about going home." And
01:12:33
I said, "Ben, what would your daughter say?" And then he was like, "You're right." And then yeah, we had a
01:12:42
little chat about it because it was the it was kind of part because of the mind games and I was like, who cares? Like do
01:12:49
your best. You don't want to go home. Because he had been talking about his daughters and stuff and he wanted to
01:12:53
make them proud. I mean, if his answers was like they would want me to come home, then that's okay. I just wanted
01:12:59
him to >> think about that before he decided to go. >> You sort of talked him around.
01:13:05
>> It was pretty Yeah. And we had a little DMC, a little deep, meaningful conversation. M
01:13:10
>> and he ended up staying. >> It's crazy these unlikely like relationships or friendships like people
01:13:16
that you probably never never crossed paths with had it not been for something like that.
01:13:20
>> And it's amazing who you who you end up connecting with and who who you just
01:13:23
don't. >> When I was like 27 >> Yeah. He's How old is he? He's probably
01:13:29
the same age as me. Like 50s or something. Yeah. >> I'm like you can also smack me in the
01:13:33
face and tell me to get lost. >> I don't know [ __ ] I know you you're
01:13:37
very likable and I can see like um from Christian Cullen's perspective like you
01:13:42
know he's he's got four kids of his own not in their 20s yet but um >> he probably felt like a a a sense of
01:13:48
nurturing towards you in a way I guess >> I think so. Yeah. And I think he could
01:13:52
see that I was a bit scared. >> Were you Why were you scared? >> Just like literally because of the
01:13:56
athletic stuff. I was like damn. >> Yeah. >> I got bent back. Um >> this is not things that I I wouldn't be
01:14:04
ab sailing at. >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, that he's scared of heights, is he?
01:14:10
>> He would never do a bungee jump. Never do a sky. He's a little Get him Get him
01:14:15
high. He's a little >> I'm going to get him. Hi. >> Um, hey, this has been a fun chat today.
01:14:24
It's been really cool. Yeah. Have you enjoyed yourself? >> Yeah, I have. I've like
01:14:30
>> really enjoyed myself. >> Yeah. We just end with a couple of deep
01:14:33
ones. What's um so you're in your late 20s now. What's the biggest adversity uh
01:14:38
you think you've gone through in life so far? Let me think. Oh my god. I need some I
01:14:47
need some character. Hang on. Adversity maybe. I think behind the scenes I've been put
01:14:59
in some places where I've had to speak up. And I actually have like um what's it?
01:15:08
What is it? What can I say without saying? >> Oh no. Can you say can you give spill
01:15:15
some >> t So you did you were in situations and you you're like shall I say something?
01:15:21
Shall I not say something? And you did say something. >> Yeah. Cuz I had to be like hey that's
01:15:25
Polynesian. That's South Oakland. >> What was it about? >> So we can't Oh my I'm on I'm on contract
01:15:32
for it. Oh, okay. Okay. Can't talk about it. But you you're >> But I have stood up and
01:15:38
>> why was it why was it a big adversity? >> It's just an important thing.
01:15:42
>> It was Yeah. It was an important thing and something from our culture that
01:15:45
someone was [ __ ] on and Yeah. >> Right. >> So, I had to speak up and be like,
01:15:52
>> and I hate when I have to speak up because I'm like, you're adult, man. Why
01:15:56
why why do I have to say this? It was like, why are you putting me in this position where I have to speak up?
01:16:02
>> Yeah. But I was like, okay, there's no other Polynesian South Oaklanders in the
01:16:05
room. And you were speaking about something Polynesian South Oakland. >> And then Yep. that got cut.
01:16:11
>> How how uh were you in that moment? Like were were you like shaking with
01:16:15
adrenaline? Were you nervous or you you feel like good about yourself after that? I I was just a thousand% certain
01:16:23
that they were [ __ ] on something that didn't belong to them, but belonged to us. So, I felt pretty confident. I
01:16:30
just felt like, I can't believe I got to do this. >> Did they Did they backpedal? Did they
01:16:36
apologize? >> They uh did say to me, um, it's okay if you're not like educated on this thing.
01:16:44
And I was like, I just think you're the one that's uneducated. Yeah. >> Was anyone else around or was it just
01:16:52
one? >> Caused a stir. There were people around so a stir but that I said it and
01:17:01
>> says what sort of person you are like a sort of person that stands up and I
01:17:04
don't know if I'd always be >> not even I was like damn why do I have
01:17:08
this? >> Yeah. >> Oh no. That's a strong character. Um what's your inner voice like? Like when
01:17:14
you're when you're alone like in your car or in your room and you're talking
01:17:17
to yourself are you are you quite nice to yourself? Yeah. >> Yeah. >> What do you mean like nice to myself?
01:17:24
Like >> Well, I don't I don't know. Like I suppose like my my inner voice at times
01:17:29
and it's like um I I will say things to myself internally that I'd never dream of saying to
01:17:36
another person. And a lot of it's like what >> are you saying it to yourself? Like are
01:17:41
you talking to yourself or are you >> Yeah. Like come on, you could do better.
01:17:44
You should be doing more. Oh, >> like really really like like flogging myself. And I so I ask other people and
01:17:51
it's it's interesting. A lot of Yeah. A lot of like high performance people um
01:17:56
are like have a very very negative inner voice which is terrible. It's counterproductive.
01:18:00
But you've got quite a quite a good inner voice and self-esteem. >> I think we can go anywhere. Like I can
01:18:07
be like what was that? What are we up to? But also at the same time be like yeah cool. Um, what about uh
01:18:16
vulnerability? Like have you got a good inner circle of um like friends that you
01:18:20
can talk to and be really open to >> like really v I can be really vulnerable
01:18:24
with them? Yep. >> You always been that way or has that been a learned thing?
01:18:29
>> Um I think I honestly credit that to my uncles because my uncles have always
01:18:33
they're like staunch sour men but have always talked spoken to me openly about things
01:18:40
that I'm feeling or like deep issues. they've allowed me to express it and
01:18:44
then they come back with how they feel like because you know they're the they're the out they're the when I was
01:18:50
like in high school and I'd like I don't get this this is weird and then they
01:18:53
would be like maybe it's like this and then I would think through it and be like wow you're right or you're wrong
01:19:01
that's not how I feel. >> So I was able to like work through my feelings.
01:19:05
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> That's powerful. >> Yeah. >> Um and your mental health's been good.
01:19:10
>> I think so. Yeah. >> I mean, I'm cuckoo, but >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No, but we love that.
01:19:16
We don't want that to change. Um, yeah. Yes. You never had any anxiety issues or
01:19:22
mental health issues or >> No. >> No. Just >> I'm not like perfect, but obviously I
01:19:28
get sad and stuff. Everyone like every time I go on like a interview or something, they're like, "When do you
01:19:34
get sad?" I mean, I get sad, but not >> No, I'm I'm I'm intrigued with with
01:19:39
anyone that's not. It's like um yeah, you want to work out, you try and reverse engineer it and work out like
01:19:45
you why they're so happy or how do they get that cuz I love it. I think it's a
01:19:49
great way to live your life. >> Yeah. I don't even think you think about
01:19:52
it. It's just [ __ ] happens, man. [ __ ] happens. That's it. >> That's all I got for you.
01:20:02
>> No, it's it's you're 100% true. Like you got have to expect um like adversity in
01:20:06
life because um if you think it's if you think shit's not going to happen. Yeah.
01:20:10
>> Then you're not going to be ready for it when it does. >> Yeah.
01:20:14
>> Um, what are your best worst habits? >> Um, uh, I always, what do I do? I
01:20:24
I've forgotten who I am. Uh, what do I do? Worst habit, I think, is I apologize.
01:20:35
Like, like I like [ __ ] sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Um, I think yeah, when I Yeah, I think that's a bad
01:20:42
habit is apologizing too much. >> I think I do the same. I don't know where that comes from
01:20:46
>> cuz I feel in the way. I'm like, [ __ ] Sorry. So, I know. Okay, it's me. It's
01:20:50
all but I've made it worse. Like, get out of the room. >> Is that Is that a Kiwi? I think that's a
01:20:55
Kiwi thing. >> Yeah. Yeah, actually. Yeah. >> And then best habit. God, what are my habits? Getting
01:21:08
tattoos. >> Yeah. What have you got? So, you got the Taskmasters one. >> Yeah.
01:21:13
>> You got the um the big Sam one over. When did you get that? >> Uh uh
01:21:20
also got it for a show cuz I was mocking San boys cuz they always put sour on their stomach. And then I got it and I
01:21:26
love it so much. >> Oh my god. Oh my god. How was your What was your family's reaction like when
01:21:32
they saw that? >> Uh oh my god. They wanted to kill me. >> Oh, do they? Do you want to show us or
01:21:38
not? Not really. >> It looks like I'm a little gangster. >> Yeah.
01:21:43
>> 685 something. Oh, wait. So, how did they know about it? >> They came to the show
01:21:48
>> and it was Glad Wrapped. I like got it done the night before. So, they saw the Glad Wrap and knew it
01:21:54
was real. >> And then, so they they want to kill you. They're mad at you. But for how long?
01:22:02
Uh, not that like they just didn't want to see it ever again. But I think time's passed. Maybe they don't care
01:22:10
about it now. >> Yeah. Yeah. I think that's the thing with um with anyone that gets tattoos.
01:22:14
For a lot of their parents, it's just like an initial shock >> and then it's fine.
01:22:18
>> Um, do you have any regrets? >> Uh, what regrets? Uh, maybe this hair
01:22:22
that's under >> maybe the hair under here. >> Yeah, I I'm I'm intrigued to see how bad
01:22:29
it was. Like I I met you at the car just before you put the wig on. I didn't even
01:22:32
notice it, but you've been going on about how bad it is. Can't be that bad.
01:22:36
Surely. >> I'll show you after. >> Okay. Um regrets. >> Uh I regret
01:22:46
it's all the past. I don't care. >> I don't think any Yeah. >> Like such a cool attitude. We could
01:22:53
bottle up what you've got. I think um society would be a lot better. You're so
01:22:58
like it feels like everything's water off a duck. >> But I do care. Like I just want people
01:23:02
to know I care about stuff. >> Yeah. No, but I think you've got a good
01:23:05
grasp on like what's important and what's not. And you you're able to you
01:23:09
separate the you know what matters from the [ __ ] >> Yeah. >> Which which I and I feel like this is
01:23:14
looping back to what you were saying before about social media and stuff and a lot of it is just noise.
01:23:19
>> It's [ __ ] and it doesn't matter. >> But also that's just me and like however
01:23:22
you think is also right. And like I'm not a I just however your thinking is right
01:23:29
for you and >> like people think admire it but I'm like I literally I'm wired that way and
01:23:35
you're wired your way. >> Even I want to be wired more more your way than my way.
01:23:39
>> Yeah, but it probably won't happen. We won't be able to swap. >> So
01:23:43
>> unless it's like a Zack Efron movie way. >> Me and you should do a freaky Friday we
01:23:48
make >> um future goals. Are are you a goal setter at all or do you just sort of
01:23:55
like roll with whatever happens? >> I did have a goal like I mean like the last show that I did I
01:24:04
wanted to make it a good one. Um and the like going to sour was a goal and so yeah.
01:24:13
>> Yeah. Got goals. >> Yeah. So like where do you see yourself at say like 35 40?
01:24:20
I just see myself in some more of 10 dogs. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. But also I I think I might want to
01:24:26
still try with my career here. >> So living and working maybe by 35 I'll have that sorted as to
01:24:36
what that looks like. >> So career goals you just want to keep going but you don't necessarily know how
01:24:42
that looks or >> No. >> Because a Yeah. you a lot of people in your position, I could have them here
01:24:47
and they could be like, "Oh, my goal is to like play Madison Square Garden one
01:24:51
day or do a sellout show at the Sky City Arena, whatever it happens to be or Spark Arena." You don't you just like
01:24:57
just do with what what you feel like doing at any particular time. >> Yeah, cuz I might be standup, but also I
01:25:02
would love to be in a Marvel movie. So, I don't know. Yeah, it depends what path
01:25:08
I take, which I have no idea. >> But so, so you're not going to pursue
01:25:11
any of these things. It's just if it happen if it >> if it comes your way. You're not
01:25:16
aggressively trying to push doors down. You're happy to walk down the corridor
01:25:19
and if a door opens, it opens. >> Yeah. But also, I do want to write and I
01:25:24
think I will work towards writing some shows, but I don't know if that's TV or
01:25:30
standup. >> Yes. >> Like a drama show. >> Yeah. >> Well, the fact that you say you don't
01:25:35
know tells me that you kind of do know. >> Well, I really love psych. Like I love
01:25:39
Black Mirror. I love like that kind of >> and the end of the [ __ ] world. Have
01:25:45
you watched that? >> No. >> Oh, the end of I think it's called the
01:25:47
end of the [ __ ] world. >> Right. >> Well, whatever you do, I've got no doubt
01:25:51
you'll be like talented at and you'll do well. >> Oh, thank you. >> Yeah.
01:25:55
>> Um, what what are the three words that your family and people that know you
01:26:00
best would use to describe you? >> Idiot. >> Nah. >> Yeah. No, seriously. Don't be an idiot.
01:26:09
I won't [Laughter] >> um idiot but also maybe because of my nieces and nephews
01:26:20
they say I care cuz surprisingly caring. >> Are you you have that nurturing side? I
01:26:27
can see. >> Yeah, with my nieces and nephews. Yeah. And my dog. >> Anyone else? I'm like sort of yourself.
01:26:34
>> Uh and then silly. Yeah, >> I feel like silly and idiot are kind of
01:26:40
the same word. They're definitely in the same ecosystem. Um, yeah. What makes you
01:26:45
mad or sad? >> Oh, wow. What makes me mad? Uh, it makes me mad when people don't
01:27:03
consider the outside like the I don't know how to explain that like when people get so what wrapped up in their
01:27:09
own I think guess that's probably one of the I don't know if I was mad about it
01:27:14
though but >> sometimes it can get frustrating speaking up you you know, cuz it's like,
01:27:22
why do I have to say this? You're an adult. >> Yeah. Yeah, that makes sense. Yeah. Just
01:27:28
annoying. >> Yeah. >> Like it's annoying that it comes to this. >> Yeah.
01:27:31
>> Yeah. Um, and are you proud of yourself? >> Oh, hell yeah. Yeah. >> I just look at it through my dog. Like,
01:27:39
if my dog's eating, I've done well. >> And sometimes he has like salmon.
01:27:45
>> Does it? >> And I'm like, damn, I did well for us, buddy. >> My dog here. Yeah. Boiled boiled
01:27:50
chicken. That's what I think. He's doing well. We're doing all right. Um, yeah,
01:27:56
that's cool. Yeah. Are you allowed to be proud of yourself being s >> Oh, hell yeah.
01:28:02
>> So, I have Son friends and some Son friends and they're always like, um,
01:28:05
yeah, humble yourself. Be humble. >> Oh, >> is that a That's different to being
01:28:10
proud of yourself. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You just can't be like braggy or
01:28:14
showy or >> Yeah. >> But you can. Yeah. It's a weird >> balance of being humble and proud and
01:28:23
respectful. Like don't be a sore winner. >> Don't be a what? >> A sore winner.
01:28:29
>> What does that mean? >> You know, there's like a sore loser that
01:28:31
ss and then a sore winner is like an absolute [ __ ] >> Like >> breaks into all I do is win.
01:28:41
>> But you have to consider the loser. You've won. You have to consider
01:28:45
consider the loser. That's awesome. I think I think it's good being proud of yourself.
01:28:53
>> It demonstrates a good self-esteem. >> I have a lot of people on the podcast
01:28:56
that I've I've asked that too and you know a lot of people really struggle
01:28:59
with that answer. I think it's maybe like a Kiwi thing. Mainly males. >> Yeah.
01:29:03
>> True. >> Yeah. >> Oh, I'm proud of I'm sitting at your
01:29:08
podcast. >> Yeah. >> I started in a backyard. I'm a thousand% proud of myself.
01:29:13
>> Why? Um Well, yeah. I'm I'm proud of myself today. I started this on my
01:29:16
dining room table like 3 years ago. >> Now I've got the studio. Why Why are you
01:29:20
proud to be here? This is just a shitty podcast. >> Cuz I've heard your name so many times.
01:29:24
>> And also when I was doing the like doing those ads, I was just like, "Oh, I've
01:29:27
got to be out of here for um Dom Harvey's podcast." And they were like,
01:29:30
"Oh, cool." >> Like everyone knows you. >> Oh, that's awesome.
01:29:34
>> Yeah, >> that's awesome. How do How do you know about me? You didn't even know who
01:29:37
Christian Callum was. >> But people say nice things about you all the time.
01:29:41
>> Tilla was on here. >> Ta. And I saw >> Yeah. Yeah, >> it's one of my favorite episodes of all
01:29:46
time. Twila Blakeley. >> Yeah, >> she's wonderful. >> All right, Bubba. Hey, well, this has
01:29:52
been amazing. >> Um Oh, do you want to give us a Tina from Turners before you go? I don't
01:29:59
think we did that when we talked about >> what? >> Cars. Cars. Cars.
01:30:04
>> Hi, I'm Tina from Turners. Cars. Cars. Cars. >> Oh, you're wonderful. Hey, this has been
01:30:12
really nice connecting. >> Come to more. Um, actually in more. Yeah, come on. Kelly,
01:30:17
>> how far is your village from Maggie Grace? >> I am in between the airport and the
01:30:21
city. >> Oh, real close. >> Yeah, >> real close. >> But once you're in my I'm going to lock
01:30:26
you up. >> Okay, then um we'll go for a drive to to sew a trench. >> I'm not being e
01:30:32
>> I'm not um athletic at all. So, I'm not diving. I'm I'm going down the mossy
01:30:36
ladder. >> I hate that. >> It's terrifying. Gives me the shits. It
01:30:41
looks amazing on Instagram, though. Not that you'd know. Yeah, >> social media.
01:30:46
>> Hey Bubba, thank you so much for coming on my podcast. >> Thank you for having me.
01:30:49
>> Good luck for the future. >> Okay. Love you. >> Love you too.

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Episode Highlights

  • A Surprising Career Path
    Bubba reflects on her unexpected rise to fame through a car ad.
    “I just thought my big break would be some Hollywood movie.”
    @ 03m 21s
    July 27, 2025
  • Life in Samoa
    Bubba shares her desire to return to Samoa for a simpler life.
    “I just feel really grounded and everyone’s happy.”
    @ 13m 47s
    July 27, 2025
  • The Role of Humor
    Humor was the family's language, filled with sarcasm and roasting.
    “It's like we never answer seriously.”
    @ 19m 39s
    July 27, 2025
  • First Time on Stage
    The speaker recalls their first comedy performance, filled with nerves but ultimately exhilarating.
    “I was like, "Oh my god, why did I put myself up for this?"”
    @ 28m 27s
    July 27, 2025
  • Backyard Show Success
    An impromptu backyard show attracted 250 people unexpectedly, showcasing the power of community.
    “I just thought in my head it was going to be like 50 people.”
    @ 35m 50s
    July 27, 2025
  • The Unique Audition
    The audition involved an unusual request to 'make love to a car,' which led to a memorable performance.
    “I just made love to a car for 10 minutes and he was going that’s amazing.”
    @ 49m 32s
    July 27, 2025
  • The Fame of Tina from Turners
    Bubba reflects on the overwhelming fame from the ads featuring Tina, sharing the love and weirdness of it all.
    “People were like, 'We love those ads.'”
    @ 52m 23s
    July 27, 2025
  • Moving to Samoa
    Bubba discusses his decision to move to Samoa and how it feels like a new journey.
    “I just feel really grounded as soon as I hit the pavement.”
    @ 58m 07s
    July 27, 2025
  • Celebrity Treasure Island Experience
    Bubba shares his experience on Celebrity Treasure Island, including unexpected friendships and challenges.
    “I was really proud of that because then my family didn't have to stop watching the show early.”
    @ 01h 07m 44s
    July 27, 2025
  • Coping with Criticism
    An exploration of how negative comments can affect one's mood and self-perception.
    “I was [ __ ] off that someone would write some [ __ ] about me.”
    @ 01h 11m 38s
    July 27, 2025
  • Emotional Connections
    The conversation reveals the deep emotional bonds formed among contestants, highlighting unexpected friendships.
    “It's amazing who you end up connecting with.”
    @ 01h 13m 20s
    July 27, 2025
  • The Balance of Pride
    A discussion on the fine line between being proud and being humble.
    “You just can’t be like braggy or showy.”
    @ 01h 28m 11s
    July 27, 2025

Episode Quotes

  • I just thought my big break would be some Hollywood movie.
    Tina from Turners EXPOSED: The Real Story Behind NZ’s Most Famous Ad
  • I was like, "Oh, so you're picking strawberries for luxury.".
    Tina from Turners EXPOSED: The Real Story Behind NZ’s Most Famous Ad
  • I love your outlook.
    Tina from Turners EXPOSED: The Real Story Behind NZ’s Most Famous Ad
  • I was like, she's out of control. It's gone out of control.
    Tina from Turners EXPOSED: The Real Story Behind NZ’s Most Famous Ad
  • It's amazing who you end up connecting with.
    Tina from Turners EXPOSED: The Real Story Behind NZ’s Most Famous Ad
  • I regret it's all the past. I don't care.
    Tina from Turners EXPOSED: The Real Story Behind NZ’s Most Famous Ad

Key Moments

  • Shaving Head Skit01:45
  • Samoa Life06:09
  • Growing Up Together24:29
  • Moving to Samoa58:00
  • Technology Talk1:09:07
  • Deep Conversations1:13:07
  • Pride and Humility1:28:11
  • Personal Growth1:29:08

Tension Over Time

Words per Minute Over Time

Vibes Breakdown