A supermodel walks into a pub...
Catwalk queen to become stand-up comic at Fringe
SHE has modelled for some of the biggest names in fashion and her face frequently graces the covers of glossy magazines.
But now Eunice Olumide, from Edinburgh, whose career as a model spans almost two decades, is preparing to try her hand at stand-up comedy.
The 34-year-old, who has been booked for a two-week run at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, admits the prospect is ‘far scarier’ than any photoshoot.
Yesterday, she told The Scottish Mail on Sunday: ‘I think it will be funny and exciting. I’m working on my jokes already but I’m a bit scared, I’m not going to lie.’
The show, AfroPolitiCool, will run at the Stand Comedy Club from August 5 to 21 and Ms Olumide promises that few of the political leaders of recent years will escape her ridicule, including Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Boris Johnson and Kim Jong-un.
She said: ‘I often host things at the Fringe and inject humour into it, so people have said, why don’t you think of stand-up? I’m under no illusions about how good you have to become to get it right.’
Scouted in Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street aged 15, Ms Olumide’s career has led to her striding the catwalks of London, Paris, New York and Milan for designers including Alexander McQueen and Lanarkshire-born Christopher Kane. Scotland’s first black supermodel, Ms Olumide has also written several books, appeared in Hollywood blockbusters, bought an art gallery and is about to launch her fashion label. She was awarded an MBE in 2017 for her positive contribution to the arts and charity.
She has regularly campaigned in schools around the UK to challenge racism.
She said: ‘Comedy is the best way in the world to talk about real life issues in a way that is not confrontational.’