Nicole Arbour
Nicole Arbour | |
---|---|
Born | 1982 or 1983 (age 41–42)[1] |
Nationality | Canadian |
Alma mater | Humber College |
Occupations | |
Known for | YouTube, music |
Nicole Arbour is a Canadian-American comedian, choreographer, singer and YouTuber. She is known for her work in acting on television and film, as well as her YouTube content.
Career
Arbour is a former cheerleader for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association.[2] While studying at Humber College, she started her cheerleading career and led the Humber Hype dance team which won two national championships.[3]
Acting
As an actress, Arbour appeared in Howie Do It,[4] and Silent But Deadly.[2] Arbour's single "Bang Bang" was released on April 30, 2013.[2] On June 18, 2015, her single and music video to "Fun Revolution" was released and was the first Periscope music video to debut.[5][6] In April 2015, Arbour was nominated as a finalist for "Best Comedian" for the Shorty Awards, however she ultimately lost to Hannibal Buress.[7][8] Arbour released a single and self-directed music video to “Show Me How You Werk” on December 4, 2017.[9]
Choreographer and hosting work
She has worked as a choreographer for professional cheerleading teams, award shows, and recording artists including Omi's "Cheerleader" performance in 2015 Much Music Video Awards, 2013 Much Music Video Awards and CFL Argos Cheerleaders.
Arbour has been the host of a number of major events and tours including Style New York Fashion Week at Madison Square Garden,[10] Virgin Mobile "National Fearless Day" with Richard Branson,[11] City Fest Toronto[12] and LG National Texting Championships 2008–2009.[13] She also worked for brands on their marketing campaigns including Virgin Mobile, Axe and Molson Canadian's "Guy Code Campaign". Arbour was featured in Adweek magazine in April 2017 for her work in an advertisement of PMD's Lip Plumping Device.[14]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Silent But Deadly | Jackie | |
2009 | You Might as Well Live | Regina Manitoba | |
2008 | The Rocker | Trashy Groupie |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2014–2015 | Too Much Information | Herself[15] | Series regular |
2015 | CMT's Hottest | Herself | Series regular |
2015 | CMT's Hottest | Herself | Series regular |
2009 | Howie Do It | Beautiful Assistant / Spokesmodel | Series regular; 7 episodes |
2007 | Winnipeg Comedy Festival | Herself | Standup Comedian [16] |
2006-2009 | Video on Trial | Herself | Series regular |
Awards and recognition
Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | International Pain Foundation Hero of Hope Awards | Nerve To Be Heard | Won | [17] |
2016 | The Producers Choice Honors | Honorary Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame | Won | [18][19] |
2015 | Shorty Awards | Best Comedian | Nominated | [20][21] |
2009 | IAB Mixx Awards | Branded Content | Nominated | [22] |
Controversies
"Dear Fat People" video
In September 2015, Arbour became the subject of controversy when she posted a viral video on her YouTube channel titled "Dear Fat People".[23] Critics argued that the video endorses fat shaming.[24] The video was temporarily unavailable on YouTube,[25] over claims that it violated the YouTube terms of service, but was later restored.[26]
Arbour was the subject of both public and celebrity criticism, with model Ashley Graham labelling her comments as "disgusting".[27]
Soon after the video was released, Canadian director Pat Mills stated publicly that he had considered hiring Arbour as a choreographer for his then-upcoming film Don't Talk to Irene after meeting with her, but that he then saw "Dear Fat People" and it "made me never want to see her again".[28] This was reported as Arbour having been "fired" from the film, but in fact no job offer had been extended.[28][29][30]
On September 16, 2015, Arbour appeared on The View to defend the "Dear Fat People" video, stating that "that video was made to offend people...it's just satire," that she wasn’t targeting those with medical conditions, and that the video wasn't supposed to be taken seriously.[31] Time magazine stated, "Arbour doesn't see her comments as bullying, but rather an intense form of truth-telling".[32] Arbour was quoted in the Time article saying:
I find seeing someone's head being blown off offensive ... I find children starving in a country with more than enough food offensive. I find women's bodies being mutilated for religious purposes, that is offensive to me. But words and satire I don't find offensive.[32]
Arbour has put out other similarly-named satirical videos, including "Dear Black People", "Dear Feminists", "Dear Sluts" and "Dear Refugees".
Political statements
Arbour claims that she once identified with the Liberal Party of Canada, but left in 2020.[33]
Arbour made an appearance in 2018 as a guest on Louder with Crowder, a series hosted by Steven Crowder on BlazeTV. Arbour has also made statements against political correctness,[34] and has said that a large number of mass shootings are due to psychotropic drugs, although she does support background checks and some "red flag" laws.
Arbour has previously stated that some people overreact when dealing with racial and gender issues, and that less focus should be spent on the institution of slavery which ended in the 19th century, and more focus should be spent on current issues stemming from it such as the racial wealth gap, marijuana legalization, police reform, and reforming the way media covers crime and arrests.[35]
References
- ^ Oswald, Brad (April 12, 2012). "Hey! What are you staring at? Her comedy's up here, buddy!". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ a b c Strobel, Mike (April 18, 2013). "'World's Sexiest Comedian' on comeback as rapper after accident". Toronto Sun. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
- ^ "Unbeatable Arbour pumps it up". Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ "Nicole Arbour". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
- ^ Murray, Joshua (July 16, 2015). "Nicole Arbour presents the Fun Revolution: Artist Q&A". The Reviews Are In. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
- ^ Cullen, Clare (June 20, 2015). "First ever music video debuts on Periscope - Independent.ie". www.independent.ie. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
- ^ Lee, Ashley (March 2, 2015). "Shorty Awards 2015: Nominees Include Shonda Rhimes, Chris Pratt, Laverne Cox (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
- ^ "Best Comedian in Social Media - The Shorty Awards". shortyawards.com. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
- ^ "Pineapple Pages Episode 1: Show Me How You Werk". Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ "Style New York Fashion Week at Madison Square Garden". Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ "Sir Richard Branson & Glee's Cory Monteith to Choose Canada's Most Fearless". Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ "Cityfest at CityPlace: Toronto's Newest Festival This Saturday". August 14, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ "LG Creates Game Show Atmosphere for Canadian Texting Championships". August 28, 2008. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ "Natural Beauty Is Great. But So Is Natural-ish Beauty, Says This Crazy Ad for a Lip Plumper". Adweek. April 26, 2017. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ "Too Much Information features cavalcade of comedians". November 17, 2014. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
- ^ "Performers Winnipeg Comedy Festival". Retrieved May 16, 2018.
- ^ "2017 Hero of Hope Award Winners". Retrieved May 16, 2018.
- ^ "Celebrity Sightings In Los Angeles". Retrieved May 16, 2018.
- ^ "2016 The Producers Choice Honors". Retrieved May 16, 2018.
- ^ "Shorty Awards 2015: Nominees Include Shonda Rhimes, Chris Pratt, Laverne Cox (Exclusive)". Hollywood Reporter. February 3, 2015. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
- ^ "Comedian in Social Media - Shorty Awards". Retrieved May 16, 2018.
- ^ "MIXX Awards Finalists Announced". Retrieved May 16, 2018.
- ^ Rodriguez, Karen (September 7, 2015). "'Dear Fat People' Video Sparks 'Fat-Shaming' Backlash". Newsy. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
- ^ Hetter, Katia (September 7, 2015). "Celebrities battle it out over fat-shaming". CNN. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
- ^ Castillo, Stephanie (September 6, 2015). "YouTube Video Censorship: Nicole Arbour's Account Gets Suspended After Shaming 'Fat People'". Medical Daily. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
- ^ Hetter, Katia (September 8, 2015). "Fat-shaming: Celebrities battle it out". cnn.com. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
- ^ Harrison, Lily (September 10, 2015). "YouTube Star Nicole Arbour Fired From Movie Role for 'Cruel Fat-Shaming Video'". E! Online. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
- ^ a b Heigl, Alex (September 11, 2015). "Nicole Arbour Responds to Claim She Was Fired from Film Job in Wake of 'Dear Fat People' Backlash". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
- ^ Webber, Stephanie (September 11, 2015). "YouTube Star Nicole Arbour Fired From Movie After Fat-Shaming Video - Us Weekly". US Weekly. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
- ^ Willis, Jackie (September 11, 2015). "YouTube Star Nicole Arbour Fired From Film After 'Dear Fat People' Backlash". ET. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
- ^ Olya, Gabrielle (September 16, 2015). "Nicole Arbour Refuses to Apologize for 'Dear Fat People' YouTube Video on The View". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
- ^ a b Ross, Ashley (September 10, 2015). "'Dear Fat People' Comedian Nicole Arbour: 'I'm Not Apologizing'". TIME.com. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
- ^ Nicole Arbour [@NicoleArbour] (May 15, 2020). "Tweet" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ ""Fake News," Lies and Propaganda: How to Sort Fact from Fiction". University of Michigan Library. University of Michigan. June 24, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ Arbour, Nicole (May 31, 2018). "The Truth About "Racism"". YouTube. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
External links
- 1980s births
- 21st-century Canadian actresses
- 21st-century Canadian singers
- Actresses from Hamilton, Ontario
- Canadian YouTubers
- Canadian cheerleaders
- Canadian female dancers
- Canadian female singers
- Canadian women comedians
- YouTube controversies
- Living people
- Musicians from Hamilton, Ontario
- National Basketball Association cheerleaders
- Social media influencers
- 21st-century Canadian women singers
- Canadian choreographers
- Female YouTubers