Rachel Galvo, aka The Shite Feminist, is a perfect example of why you should always be your own number-one fan.
The comedian, actor, writer and singer became an overnight success after sharing hilarious snippets of her life while living in London on TikTok.
The 24-year-old has amassed a cult following of 35k on TikTok, all of whom undoubtedly contributed to her one-woman show selling three times.
Tickets to see Rachel’s show The Shite Feminist in Dublin sold out in two minutes, similar to the next two dates, thanks to her adoring fans.
The South Dubliner’s followers are constantly treated to hilarious and satirical content where the comedian pokes fun at herself and her “silver-spoon” upbringing.
Goss.ie spoke to Rachel for our latest Up and Coming feature, in which she opened up about why you should stop caring about what other people think and her aspirations to write her own TV show.
Find out more about Rachel in our exclusive chat below:
Q. How did you discover you had a talent for acting and comedy? How did you first get into acting and comedy?
I think I’ve been performing since I was a baby, basically since I could talk. I think I’ve always been putting on a show wanting to be in the spotlight or singing a song.
As soon as I could walk, my mum decided to put me into speech and drama and dance classes, and I really, really loved it. As soon as I could do shows, I was getting cast in the leads and stuff, which I was really happy about.
My happiest place is when I’m on stage in the spotlight, I just love it.
“My happiest place is when I’m on stage in the spotlight, I just love it”
Q. When did you decide to start posting your content on social media and what spurred this decision?
So it was coming to the end of drama school last summer and I realised that it was going to be rather difficult to get an acting agent or to even get noticed at all.
I was getting turned down by agents, so I decided I would just start putting myself out there and market myself and my personality.
I just started posting every day and also because I didn’t have any acting jobs yet or anything, it was nice to have something to create and edit and make a story every day and do a voiceover.
Q. Before you got into acting and comedy what were you doing?
I studied global business at Trinity for four years which is hilarious, I think I always knew I was going to perform and be an actress or be in the entertainment industry in one way or another.
But I felt like I wanted to show people that I could also do the other thing, I think I was probably a bit scared of being judged if I went to straight into performing.
I was scared that people would think I wasn’t smart enough to do something else, it was just in my head.
I did a corporate job for just six months which I recently left, but yeah, I was posting videos while I was at that job.
Q. Were you scared of being judged when you first started posting online?
Honestly, no. I knew that the job wasn’t for the long run and what I wanted to actually do was perform. I mean, judgment is just what comes with the game, do you know what I mean?
Of course, every time I get upset I’m like: ‘Oh my God, Mum! This person has left a hate comment and every time she’s like: ‘Okay, well either grow a tough skin or get out of the game. You just have to be able to take it.”
Q. Do you remember the first time one of your videos blew up on social media?
Yes, I think one of the first videos that really got a lot of attention was when I went to Electric Picnic last year and made a South Dublin comedy skit.
I mean, a lot of hate came with it too, I’m not sure everyone understands that it’s not real, but I’m okay with that.
The people who understand it get it.
“I mean, a lot of hate came with it too, I’m not sure everyone understands that it’s not real, but I’m okay with that”
Q. How have you found this sudden rise to fame?
I’m okay with it, I’m not finding it that overwhelming.
Obviously, the show selling out at nine on the dot within one minute was a little bit of a shock to the system because I really wasn’t expecting it.
@rachel_galvo Electric Picnic Day One 🪩🪅🏕️ #dailyvlog #electricpicnic2023 #electricpicnicvlog #vlogs #dublinvlog #festivalvlog @Schweppes @whiteclawhardseltzer ♬ original sound – Rachelgalvo
Q. How will you stay humble if your fame continues to snowball?
There’s absolutely no issue of me not staying humble, my flatmates and my best friend from Ireland and my family are constantly like: “We’ll keep you down to earth.”
They take the piss out of me completely, if someone recognises me on the street in Dublin and I’m with someone, my friends are like: “Oh, my God, shut up, you’re so cringy.”
Q. Have you ever had any funny interactions?
Honestly, everyone’s really really gorgeous, but sometimes if I’m on a night out or something, people can be a little rowdy and they’ll start swinging their arm around me.
But because I share so much with myself, I can understand how it’s a deeper connection than just a social media presence.
A lot of young girls text me for advice on body image and anxiety in school and I can imagine they feel the way I felt in school and are very lonely and struggling, so I try to get back to a lot of them.
Q. Do you ever find you get imposter syndrome when things like that happen?
Of course, I mean that’s only natural every now and then, when the show filled out, I turned to my mum and I was like: ‘Oh, gosh, mum, what the hell is happening?” but She was just saying: ‘This is happening for a reason, it’s selling because people like you, it got signed by MCD, the promotions company, because of the stuff you posted online, there’s a reason for all of it.’ She’s really good at helping me with that.
Q. Do you ever like to fall into a creative rut? If so, how do you pull yourself out of it?
I mean, in terms of the show, the show is written, but I do post constantly and that can be really is dependent on my mood.
If I find that I’m in a really good mood one day and I feel like the creative juices are flowing, I’ll go into my notes app and write up a script for three or four videos.
That way, I can do it on the days that I know I won’t be feeling the best or that my creative juices won’t be flowing and I have a video idea ready for those days.
The vlogs and stuff are quite natural, but when I do stories time videos or any of that stuff, I do have to know what I’m going to talk about.
Sometimes you only have five seconds to grab someone’s attention.
@rachel_galvoLeaving the corporate world♬ original sound – Rachelgalvo
Q. What are the biggest challenges you have faced since taking the leap of faith to leave your stable job?
Obviously, with anyone who is self-employed, there’s a financial situation in that it’s not like a steady paycheque every month.
Thank God, I’m able to pay my rent and it’s going well so far, but there’s always the anxiety about the future because you’re not guaranteed a payslip at the end of the month
My parents also have a little anxiety around that and I’m like: ‘Can you just make sure that the bedroom is set up for me?’
“There’s always the anxiety about the future because you’re not guaranteed a payslip at the end of the month”
Q. Do you get nervous before your shows?
Honestly, no. I’ve done this so many times before, I’ve always performed.
I’m probably more comfortable on stage with a mic than I am talking one-on-one with someone, it just feels safer where you’re able to speak uninterrupted.
You can’t really control if people are hating on you or not but at least they can’t say it outright.
I’ll be ready if a pot comes my way on stage, but I’m not sure they would’ve paid 20 euros and been on Ticketmaster at 9:00 AM to do that.
Q. What has been your favourite part about following your dream so far?
It’s very affirming, I think for years, I was like: ‘Just watch, I’m going to be a performer, I’m going to be a star, I’m going to have my own shows,’ and I think maybe in the bubble I grew up in, it was like ‘Oh, Jesus, her head is in the clouds a little bit.’
But now that it’s finally happening for me, it’s nice to be like: “I told you so.”
Q. Does confidence come naturally to you, or do you have to build yourself up to put yourself out there online?
Confidence does come naturally in many ways, but I have to work on it in other ways.
I’m a pretty outgoing, loud, confident person, but I also knew that if I wanted to start this social media thing and this performing thing, I would really have to follow my gut instincts and really know myself.
My mum always says: ‘No one else is going to back you, you have to back yourself. You have to believe in yourself.’
My mum actually does life coaching for a lot of high-performing people so she’s like my life coach, she’s amazing.
“My mum actually does life coaching for a lot of high-performing people so she’s like my life coach, she’s amazing”
Q. Are there any comedians or actors in Ireland that you look up to?
Oh my God, completely! I think Aisling Bea is one of the funniest people in the world.
Obviously, Joanne McNally is absolutely hilarious, I often hesitate to say her because sometimes people compare me to her and say: ‘Oh, she’s trying to be Joanne McNally or something.’
I cannot wait for the day that I meet her, I know people that know her and they’re like: ‘Come and have a drink with us,’ but I would be so nervous because I think she’s just so funny and so cool.
Also, Sharon Horgan, I know she’s an actress, not a comedian but she’s written Bad Sisters and I can’t wait to see what she does in the future.
Q. What about the rest of the world, what comedians or actors do you look up to the most?
I think Katherine Ryan is absolutely hilarious and brutal, she does my favourite podcast Telling Everybody Everything. She’s also a boss-ass feminist.
I also very much love Phoebe Waller-Bridge, I’m really hoping to spot her at the Edinburgh Fringe.
@rachel_galvoBake with me + Magaluf story time♬ original sound – Rachelgalvo
Q. What’s been the biggest pinch-me moment of your career so far?
Definitely when I thought that the website had broken down but everyone was just on it at 9 am, that was just so crazy to me.
Then again, with the two extra shows, I was like: ‘These aren’t going to sell out,’ but again, at 9 am, they just sold out.
And with the Dundrum shows, I was like: ‘Oh, I’m actually in New York for that date, I can’t do it,’ and they were like: ‘No, we want you, we’ll fly you back.’
So I’m going to fly back from New York for one night, it’s a very sex-in-the-city vibe, it’s giving Carrie Bradshaw, it’s so exciting.
“I’m going to fly back from New York for one night, it’s a very sex-in-the-city vibe”
Q. What advice would you give to others who want to start a career in acting or comedy but are too afraid of what other people think?
I mean, you really can’t consider what other people think.
It’s natural to worry what other people think of course, that’s part of human nature, but you are never going to get as far as you want if you are letting other people’s opinions hold you back.
Honestly, everyone is thinking the exact same thing, they’re thinking way too much about themselves.
I also believe if people are going out of their way to judge you or talk about you then that’s their issue more than yours.
“You are never going to get as far as you want if you are letting other people’s opinions hold you back”
Q. I know you are based in London at the moment but would you consider moving to America to further your career in the future?
Yes, I would love to go to New York for a few years.
I’m going to scope out the opportunities when I’m there soon and hopefully figure out the O-Visa, but that will be years away, I need to save money!
Q. What is next for you in the coming year?
So basically, I’ve got the shows in July, and August and I’ve got the Fringe in September and October.
Then we are going to do three more Irish shows so I’m just going to see how those go.
I love the Shite Feminist so much and I want to do as many shows as I can, so if that means doing a show in New York for all the Irish over there, or in Sydney, I would- That’s my nearsighted dream.
Then after that, I’m going to invite a few acting agents to the show because I really, really want to be performing.
I have been asked to do a short film in 2025, they’ve applied for funding and put my name on it, but I can’t share any of those details at the moment.
But yeah, I really really want to get into acting.
@rachel_galvoGoing on tellayyyy♬ original sound – Rachelgalvo
Q. Would you be more wanting a TV show or more films and short films?
I’d love to write my own TV show, an Irish comedy TV show.
I’d also love to be in something like Sex Education.
I also want to be a radio presenter soon and I heard a few openings are coming up so hopefully they come knocking.
“I also want to be a radio presenter soon and I heard a few openings are coming up so hopefully they come knocking”
Q. Where do you see yourself in five years? What is a bucket list job for you?
I’d love to have my radio show.
I also think a podcast is in the works, we’re talking about that, but one thing at a time.
The Late Late Show is also in need of a high-energy female presenter who is well able to take the piss a bit, I would love to do that.
I’ve had enough of watching The Late Late Show, I want to be the one presenting it.
“I’ve had enough of watching The Late Late Show, I want to be the one presenting it”
