Nicole Arbour
Canadian actress and YouTuber
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nicole Arbour is a Canadian comedian, speaker, choreographer, singer, actress, and YouTuber.
Nicole Arbour | |
|---|---|
Arbour at the 2014 Hamilton Festival of Friends | |
| Born | 1982 or 1983 (age 43–44)[1] Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Alma mater | Humber College |
| Occupations | |
| Known for | YouTube, music |
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, she 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, won by Hannibal Buress.[7][8] Arbour released a single and self-directed music video to "Show Me How You Werk" on December 4, 2017.[9]
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".[10] Critics argued that the video endorses fat shaming.[11] The video was temporarily unavailable on YouTube,[12] over claims that it violated the YouTube terms of service, but was later restored.[13]
Arbour was the subject of both public and celebrity criticism, with plus-size model Ashley Graham labelling her comments as "disgusting".[14]
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".[15] This was reported as Arbour having been "fired" from the film, but in fact no job offer had been extended.[15][16][17]
On September 16, 2015, Arbour appeared on The View to defend the "Dear Fat People" video, stating that "that video wasn't 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.[18] Time magazine stated, "Arbour doesn't see her comments as bullying, but rather an intense form of truth-telling".[19] 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.[19]
Personal life
On January 1, 2024 Arbour got engaged to Jamaican musician Simon "Skygrass" Bowden.[20]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | The Rocker | Trashy Groupie | |
| 2009 | You Might as Well Live | Regina Manitoba | |
| 2011 | Silent But Deadly | Jackie |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-2009 | Video on Trial | Herself | Series regular |
| 2007 | Winnipeg Comedy Festival | Herself | Standup Comedian [21] |
| 2009 | Howie Do It | Beautiful Assistant / Spokesmodel | Series regular; 7 episodes |
| 2014–2015 | Too Much Information | Herself[22] | Series regular |
| 2015 | CMT's Hottest | Herself | Series regular |
| 2015 | CMT's Hottest | Herself | Series regular |
Awards and recognition
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | IAB Mixx Awards | Branded Content | Nominated | [23] |
| 2015 | Shorty Awards | Best Comedian | Nominated | [24][25] |
| 2016 | The Producers Choice Honors | Honorary Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame | Won | [26][27] |
| 2017 | International Pain Foundation Hero of Hope Awards | Nerve To Be Heard | Won | [28] |