Celeste Barber: The Unstoppable Force of Comedy, Beauty, and Relatability
Poolside, under a surprisingly mild 14-degree day, Celeste Barber is the epitome of sunshine. Dressed in swimmers and a silk robe, she’s ready for a shoot with The Weekly. The initial search for a plastic fish to complete the scene proves fruitless. Ever the quick thinker, Celeste improvises, tossing a rubber thong into the pool and gamely scooping it up with a net. She parades her catch like a seasoned angler, hamming it up for the cameras with infectious enthusiasm.
Her mother, Kath, has popped in for the shoot at the Blue Water Motel and Beach House in Kingscliff, a stone’s throw from the Queensland border. “She was just naturally, giftedly funny all the time,” Kath reflects, her eyes twinkling. “And so is her sister and so is her father. So you get them together and it’s interesting.” This familial closeness is a cornerstone of Celeste’s life, with her and her family living within walking distance of her parents and older sister, Olivia.
“She was never a show-off as a child,” Kath recalls, a touch of amusement in her voice. “That’s the funniest thing.” The spark for performance, however, was ignited at a local dance concert in Tweed Heads when Celeste was just four. Fresh from a spirited rendition of “New York, New York” with her fellow tots, she ran to her mother, exclaiming, “Mama – they love me!” Kath smiles, “That was it – we couldn’t get her off stage.”
Today, Celeste’s career is a whirlwind, seamlessly transitioning between stage, screen, and the digital realm. She’s even ventured into the business world as a co-founder of BOOIE Beauty. The frenetic pace is something Celeste acknowledges, admitting, “But that’s the actor in me. [You think] every job’s your last job. When a job comes up, you take it. And that felt well and good when I was getting one job every three years, but now it’s like, I need to stop doing all the things.”
From the outside, Celeste Barber – comedian, actor, author, podcaster, and beauty mogul – appears to be a force of nature, unstoppable. Just last month, she wrapped up the Australian leg of her “Backup Dancer” tour, following a successful run across 24 cities in the US and Canada. Her recent feature film, Runt, shot in Western Australia, has also been released. And woven through it all are her iconic #CelesteChallengeAccepted videos, where she hilariously skewers the curated perfection of celebrities and influencers, including the likes of Bella Hadid, Kim Kardashian, and Gwyneth Paltrow. It was this social media phenomenon that propelled the previously jobbing actor to global stardom, amassing nearly 10 million followers on Instagram.
A Fashion Industry Maverick
The trajectory of her online fame took an unexpected turn in 2018 when American designer Tom Ford approached her. “He was the first person in the industry to literally put his money where his mouth was [and say,] ‘Want to work together?’” Celeste recounts. Ford flew her to New York, and the resulting collaborations, including a memorable parody video of them kissing on a train, not only solidified her standing in the fashion world but also revealed Tom Ford’s keen sense of humour to the masses.
While she sometimes wonders if her celebrity parodies might be losing their edge, Celeste is frequently reminded of their enduring impact.
“This very lovely young girl came up to me at the airport yesterday,” she shares. “She was beautiful. She went, ‘Can I get a photo?’ Absolutely. And then she went, ‘Thank you so much. You helped me so much with my body image.’ And she walked off and I went home like, oh, God, it’s still needed, you know?”
Family Life and Foundational Values
Back at the poolside, Celeste channels a supermodel’s swagger, almost taking a tumble, eliciting a collective gasp followed by uproarious laughter from the crew.
With the first segment complete, the team retreats to the Beach House. A white HiAce van pulls up, driven by Celeste’s husband, Api Robin. Their sons, Lou, 13, and Buddy, 10, spill out, one with a football, the other leading their energetic labradoodle-terrier cross, Ricky Baker – named, of course, after the protagonist of Taika Waititi’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Api takes charge of Ricky Baker while the boys immediately launch into a game of footy in the front yard.
“Oh my god – my husband and son have turned up in the same T-shirt!” Celeste exclaims, spotting their matching Quiksilver tees, before greeting her family with warm hugs. Soon, the family swaps outfits for the shoot. Lou’s ensemble earns a “You look wicked!” from Celeste, who then checks for his comfort before Api and Buddy emerge in their own looks. Celeste ensures everyone feels good about their outfits before joining her in front of the camera.
It’s clear the boys are largely unfazed by their mother’s public profile. Celeste confirms this, adding, “When I say things like, ‘I’m gonna go hang out with Kevin Hart’ – then they care. They just see me working and they see us creating this life and they see the work that goes into it.”
Celeste and Api have built a life together over 21 years, a journey that began in a Sydney pub where a 21-year-old Celeste was working. Api, then 30, had two daughters, Sahra and Kyah, aged two and four. “I was a young 30,” Api jokes, “so I just think we were fairly similar in age [despite the gap].” Their relationship initially navigated the challenges of long-distance, with Celeste embracing the role of stepmother to Api’s girls.
“It was super hard,” Celeste admits, reflecting on those early years. “I love those girls so much. They’re in their 20s now and they say to me, ‘I don’t know how you did that’.” She speaks fondly of their four children, describing them as “obsessed with each other – it’s very sweet, their relationship.”
Celeste and Api describe themselves as “pretty strict parents,” with Celeste often taking the lead. “We back each other up. Just putting boundaries into place for these kids is really important.”
Navigating Modern Masculinity
Raising boys in a world grappling with evolving notions of masculinity presents unique challenges, which the couple tackles head-on. Celeste calls Lou and Buddy over for a quick “word of the day” exercise. “What’s the word of the day?” she asks. In unison, they reply: “Consent.”
“Thank you,” she says, before sending them back to their game, beaming with pride. “How good are my boys?” She credits this approach to US comedian Chelsea Handler’s interactions with her nephews, finding it effective.
“So we’re already in those sort of heavy conversations. I point things out to them about the differences between men and women. It’s hard, though, because I love men and I’m a feminist and my husband is a feminist, and we are raising feminists. It’s so tricky to [explain that] patriarchy means that everything is skewed in the favour of men … to understand it’s not an equal playing field.”
This openness has been a hallmark of their relationship since its inception. Celeste juggled multiple jobs while pursuing her acting dreams after studying at the University of Western Sydney’s Theatre Nepean, while Api worked as an arborist.
“We had a conversation really early on about our hopes and dreams and how we see ourselves,” Celeste recalls. “I said, ‘I really want to work in this industry. It’s my dream. And I’m going to actively work toward that’. And Api was like, ‘Well, I really want us to have a family, and I would love to raise our children and support you in that’. And we decided, let’s have this big life together.” She notes the common reaction: “‘You’re so lucky to have Api’ – which, obviously, I am – but [they mean] ‘a man that’s happy to stay home while you go and do everything.’ We have so many friends who are stay-at-home mums …”
“… and I get pats on the back for doing all the things the other women do,” Api interjects, acknowledging the societal disparity. “I see it. I get it. But that’s inequality.”
In 2019, as Celeste’s career gained significant traction in the US, the family considered a move to Los Angeles. However, the onset of COVID-19 prompted a reassessment. “We don’t want to raise our kids in America,” Celeste states.
Over a chicken banh-mi lunch, Celeste attributes the enduring strength of their relationship to a simple, profound reason: “We’re just desperately in love with each other. Sometimes to a fault.” Api reaches over to wipe a stray drop of hoisin sauce from her chin, a moment of shared laughter underscoring their connection. “We just love each other, so we will make it work. It’s super lucky, especially now, getting the success that we’ve got. There’s no way it would be this great if I was doing it on my own. I’ve no interest in that at all.”
Celeste strikes a powerful pose for the photographer, her gown billowing as she walks towards the lens, exuding effortless cool. Api and Lou flank her, each holding a surfboard shaped by Api himself. Lou whispers a question to his mother, inaudible to the crew.
“Did you hear that?” Celeste asks everyone when they finish the take. “Halfway through the shot, he asks, ‘What’s for dinner?’” The inherent comedy of the moment elicits another round of laughter. She pulls Lou close, asking, “Do you want butter chicken?” A familiar family discussion about fridge contents ensues, a scene relatable to countless parents.
Sadly, in 2026, the couple announced their separation.
“After much reflection, the decision has been made to separate. There is still love and respect between us, but sadly we are at capacity and have come to recognise we may want for different things.”
Celeste Barber and Api Robin announce split after 20 years together
Celeste’s career is built on a foundation of genuine relatability, a trait that shines through even during a demanding photo shoot. Among the crew are close friends and collaborators, including hair stylist Brad Mullins, who recently gave Celeste a chic bob and is tending to her locks today. Kath notes that her daughter’s friends keep her grounded, describing them as “just lovely people, and they’re all so down to earth.”
“I have to like the people I work with,” Celeste states emphatically. “Especially if this is going to take me away from my family, it needs to be with people I like.”
Celeste is clear that while success was always a goal, fame was never the primary objective. Finding success, and with it, fame, as a “late bloomer” has been “100 per cent” a positive. “No one needed a famous 20-year-old Celeste,” she asserts. “Success to me, in this industry, is working, not fame. Fame is a by-product. I really don’t like it. But I think if I was younger … I would have been the greatest brat.”
Another significant advantage of achieving success later in life is a profound appreciation for her audience, something Celeste never takes for granted.
“People that come to my shows, they organise babysitters and they organise flights and they organise their girlfriends and they have drinks before. It’s an effort to get there and they spend money to see me. I see them. I get it.”
Her audience was also a key inspiration behind the launch of BOOIE Beauty (a nod to the nickname she’s always used for her sons and stepdaughters). Her vision for the brand is clear: “I want it to be good quality at a reasonable price. For my audience to be able to afford it and love it and wear it every single day.”
She aimed for a range suitable for women of all ages, prioritising simplicity. “People are going to Sephora and are like, I don’t know where to start. I’m having an existential crisis in Sephora! I just want lip gloss! It’s too much.”
The BOOIE range features just five products, including the hero product, BAM! BAM! BAM! Lip, Cheek and Eye Tint, a versatile three-in-one solution. Celeste had been developing the concept for years, meticulously working on everything from the design and colour palettes to the checkerboard motif on the packaging. “I love checkerboards because they’re soothing for an ADHD brain. They’re just very clear, clean and decisive – everything I’m not.”
A chance encounter with Claire Greaves, who had recently exited the activewear label P.E Nation, during a lunch in Byron Bay, proved pivotal. When Celeste shared her BOOIE concept, Greaves immediately offered her involvement. “She just said, ‘Well, I would love to in any way be involved in that’. Until then, it was just in my head. And then Claire came on board and turned it into a business.”
The The Weekly’s shoot took place the day after BOOIE’s website launched. The Bloody Delicious Hydrating Tinted Illuminator in Champagne had already sold out in the US, while the Rosé shade of BAM! cleared out in Australia within 24 hours. This rapid success underscores Celeste’s “everywoman” appeal and the immense power of her devoted fanbase.
Celeste’s passion for BOOIE is evident in her decision to fully fund the project herself. “Because I’m not having some old investor who’s on his seventh wife and she’s 24 and she just really likes blue mascara, so I’ve got to make blue mascara … I’m not doing it.”
Having a sense of control is something Celeste cherishes, particularly in an industry where actors often cede creative direction to directors and producers. “That’s why I love touring because I’m the boss. I choose when I want to go. I choose what the show’s going to be. I don’t answer to anyone.” Yet, she also finds satisfaction in being part of other people’s projects. “I love getting a script and a call sheet and showing up and going, ‘This is fun!’ I’m lucky – I get to do both.”
Finding balance, both professionally and personally, is a pursuit Celeste is actively engaged in. “Balance. What a fun word! It’s different for everyone as well, isn’t it? It’s just a mental shift for me. I’m retraining my brain around that, because I cannot continue at the level that I’m at and think, ‘It’s fine! I’ve got the adrenaline! I’m excited!’ And I also don’t really want to – 2022 burnt me out a lot. We shot [Netflix series] Wellmania and then did a world tour. It was too much.”
Celeste poses on the front steps, clad in a blazer that perfectly complements the doorframe. Ricky Baker sits at her feet, seemingly unimpressed by the camera. “It’s hard,” Celeste admits, nuzzling the dog’s face. “People think it’s fun and easy, but it’s hard.”
Ricky Baker eventually obliges the camera. But Celeste Barber, with her innate charm and effortless grace, makes it all look like a breeze.
