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           ![LG Meets TikTok Sensation GK Barry](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/shorter_hero/public/articles/2023/12/sl071223-lg-gk-barry-herobanner.jpg?itok=gCxl4gvJ) 

  

 

 ![LG Meets TikTok Sensation GK Barry](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_400x400/public/articles/2023/12/sl071223-lg-gk-barry-thumbnail.jpg?itok=N3axClVb)

 

 

 



 

 [Life](/luxegen/life)

 /  07 December 2023  

#  LG Meets TikTok Sensation GK Barry  


Grace Keeling – better known as GK Barry – is one of TikTok’s biggest stars right now. Her unfiltered content has helped her amass over 3.4 million followers, many of whom also tune into her podcast and watch her on shows like Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer Don’t Look Down. Here, we sat down with her to talk about what it’s like living in the public eye, her best advice for feeling confident and what comes next…  


BySapna Rao

 

[ Save To My Favourites ](/user/0/favourites)

 

 

 

 

  Images: @GKBARRY_ 

 

 

 

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

 

 

 

 [ ![](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_800x800/public/articles/2023/12/gk-barry-interview-6.png?itok=vltZKDXr)

 

 ](https://www.tiktok.com/@gkbarry?lang=en) 

 

 

 

 

 

## GRACE’S STORY 



  

**People ask if I’ve always been funny – but at school I was \*really\* weird.** I had bucked-teeth, horrible hair and was super lanky – I just looked like a bit of a praying mantis. I wasn't funny at all, if anything I was a bit of a ‘try hard’ because I wanted to be popular and fit in. I know that these days being weird is good and far more celebrated, but back then it didn't do me many favours. However, at university I was just lucky to make friends with some really funny people and through that, I developed my own sense of humour.

**When I was younger, I thought I was going to be a pop star.** Genuinely, I thought I could be the next Britney Spears. I’m talking world tours, platinum albums – the lot. It’s hilarious to look back on that because I obviously cannot sing to save my life. For a while I felt a bit stuck and didn't really know what I wanted to do. I did know I was always interested in television though, and thought I’d maybe go into camera operating as I never really enjoyed being front and centre – jokes on me now though...

**I chose the name ‘GK Barry’ because I didn't want anyone from school to find me on [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@gkbarry?lang=en).** I’ll admit, I started creating content TikTok just because everyone else was, but I didn't really want people to know I was on there. My best friend’s name is Tatiana Barry, so I used her last name and my initials – G.K (Grace Keeling). Obviously, that ended up being completely pointless as they all know I’m on there now, but that was the thought process behind it to begin with.

 

## GOING VIRAL 



  

**My first video went viral during lockdown.** I had filmed a man going for a run outside my house. I then panned to myself – I literally looked as if I hadn't showered in days – and said, “There’s a hunk in the neighbourhood, I’m going for a run.” I posted it and within an hour it had about 500,000 likes. Looking back, it’s not that funny – but regardless, it blew up. I then hopped on some of the big lockdown trends like the ‘put a finger down’ challenge which went viral and things grew from there.

**I’ve always been able to tell stories in a unique way.** Whenever something happens (trust me a lot of embarrassing things happen to me) you best believe I’ll be milking the story. I think it’s mainly the relatability of it all. I never really hid who I was or tried to be someone else. Even when I had acne – I had my spots out, greasy hair, no make-up – I mean we were in lockdown after all and my thought process then (and now) is that life’s short, so who cares?

**Everything felt more real after lockdown ended.** I left uni and went home, but on ‘freedom’ day when restrictions lifted and everything opened back up, I went to a rave. When I walked in, it genuinely was felt like Britney Spears had entered the room. I had people screaming “Is that GK Barry?!” and I instantly thought, “Uh oh.” I was hyper aware of people watching me embarrassing myself – not that it stopped me, of course.

 

 [ ![](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_800x800/public/articles/2023/12/gk-barry-interview-7.png?itok=2CVcBCBP)

 

 ](https://www.tiktok.com/@gkbarry?lang=en) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**There are definitely two sides to living your life online.** The best part is feeling like you always have a bunch of mates cheering you on – I’m lucky that I genuinely have a really nice community. I hardly get any horrible comments. However, when I do, they’re hard to ignore. For example, I did Stand Up To Cancer’s *Don’t Look Down*, which was my first proper time on TV. It opened me up to a whole new audience who didn't really ‘get’ me – people who may not usually choose to watch me – but I guess it comes with the territory. You can’t be everything to everyone.

**Dating has been really different too.** I didn't think it would be, but I remember once I was out at uni and I was flirting with a guy. I thought we had a great connection, but then I heard him turn to his mate and say, “Yeah I’m going to get with her, she has loads of followers” and I just thought, “Silly me.” Another part of it is if you do end up getting into a relationship and show a lot of it online, people get really invested. Then, if you break up, it’s even trickier. If I’m honest, I get the appeal, and I understand that it’s just part of the territory.

 

## ADVICE, RELATIONSHIPS &amp; CONFIDENCE 



  

**Everyone I’ve spoken to in my industry was bullied at some point.** I think that’s something so important for young people who are going through a tough time to know. It’s quite universal. When someone didn't like me, it used to feel like a big deal, until you get a bit older or go to university and you realise you’ll never see those people again. It’s difficult but you have to embrace what makes you different – one day it’ll pay off.

**Before social media I wasn’t that confident.** In fact, I was shy because I thought I was weird – so I'd just avoid speaking to people. My advice to young girls who want to put themselves out there or make friends is to find common ground with people around you. For example, in lectures at uni, I would go to the person next to me and just ask a random question like, “Did you understand what they were saying?” or crack a joke.   
  
  
  
**Friendship has to be a two-way street.** My advice is to always to look out for the red flags, just like you would in a romantic relationship. For example, if they only speak about themselves and don’t ask about you – ick. I also am quite tuned into people who don’t have the same vibe as me on a night out or are too judgemental. My vibe is wanting to get have a good time. I love people who are happy to do things for the plot and don’t take things too seriously.

 

 

 

 

 [ ![](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_800x800/public/articles/2023/12/gk-barry-interview-1.png?itok=qy6WVh_c)

 

 ](https://www.tiktok.com/@gkbarry?lang=en) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

## THE ‘SAVING GRACE’ PODCAST, TV &amp; WHAT’S NEXT 



  

**I was initially against starting a podcast.** It was something my management really wanted me to do. Then, I went on [‘The Fellas’](https://open.spotify.com/show/5JQu91FRevsm4GSPr8JbYB) podcast and they said, “You just have to show up and be you.” So, I was sold – and thank God I was because it really blew up and it’s now one of the best parts of my job.

**Katie Price was 100% my favourite guest.** She came in so unfiltered with her nose-job bandages on and her fluffy slippers and I was instantly obsessed. That was a big ‘pinch me’ moment. In terms of dream guests in the future, it has to be Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders – or Maya Jama… the views would slap.

**I love doing TV.** When else would I ever be in a room with David Ginola, Beverly Callard and Anton Ferdinand? I’ve made such great friends from *Don’t Look Down*. The funny part is that my parents respect TV so much more than social media. When I’m out doing crazy things on TikTok, they don’t bat an eye. As soon as I was on Channel 4, they were like, “Yep, that’s my daughter!”. *I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!* is definitely on my bucket list. I’d be surrounded by so many interesting people. I’m just so nosy and they’d be forced to talk to me since there’s not much else to do...

**My most awkward interview experience was with Joey Essex.** Disclaimer, it was awkward because of me, not him. It was at *Pride Of Britain* and I had been a fan of his for a long time. I mean, I watched TOWIE and he’s Joey. Essex. So, when I saw him in person I got a little too excited. I was wearing a dress in quite an unusual texture and asked if he wanted to touch it, and he started asking me about it and I just awkwardly encouraged him to “carry on” touching it. That’s kept me up at night.

**I wish I was a bit more of a fashion girl.** I have to be honest and say I don’t really have a clear style – or, at least, I’m still developing it. Recently, my manager told me I needed to up my game because all I wear is trackies. So now, I’ll wear trackies but underneath a nice coat. Mainly I just want to feel comfortable, so I’ve been finding ways to feel comfy, while also looking glam.

**My advice to upcoming content creators is to be yourself.** We all know how oversaturated the space is, so it doesn't work to do what everyone else is doing. Find your niche. Like I said, if you’ve got good stories, tell them. Think outside the box. Another lesson I’ve learned is to \*read the room\*. It’s actually very tricky with comedy as there have been plenty of occasions when I’ve forgotten that not everyone has the same dark sense of humour as me. It’s been a learning process. In terms of TikTok algorithm hacks, the ones that have worked for me are to only post after 2pm, don’t post on the weekends and use the hashtag FYP and nothing else.

**I’m really looking forward to my tour in February.** I really enjoyed touring this past year. It was pretty wild – there’s more on that on the [*Saving Grace*](https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/saving-grace/id1619965208) podcast if you want a play by play – but overall, it was such an unreal experience. While I can’t reveal a lot, this year we are going \*so\* much bigger, especially in terms of guests and venues. I’m also working on a series with PLT, so definitely keep an eye out for that too.

*Follow* [*@GKBarry*](https://www.tiktok.com/@gkbarry?lang=en) *on TikTok.*

 

 

 

 

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