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Grace graduate, Nikki Osborne, has had a wide-ranging career in the entertainment industry. From acting roles to hosting the famous game show Quizmania, and now as one of Australia鈥檚 premier stand-up comedians, Nikki has had to work extremely hard in an industry that in recent times has often borne the brunt of the COVID pandemic. 

Nikki was kind enough to speak to Grace recently about her career journey since leaving the College, and what鈥檚 coming up for her in the future.

Hi Nikki! Thanks for taking the time to speak to Grace about what you鈥檙e up to these days and how you got to where you are. You鈥檝e been a presenter, television host, actress, model, and now a comedian. Can you give us a bit of summary of your career up until now?

Well, I鈥檝e never been a model but that鈥檚 an assumption many make. Dunno why. I only look good from the left!

I started out in drama school at QUT and graduated with a bachelor of the arts. I then spent 15 years slogging it out as an actor. I think my job/conversion rate was about 1 job to every 30 auditions. So, to anyone who wants to be an actor, be prepared for a lot of unpaid work.

The highlight of my acting career was playing Delvene Delaney in The Paul Hogan Story. I also branched out to TV presenting, but not the boring stuff, Live TV as the host of Quizmania and then I joined Mick Molloy on his sketch comedy show. I then moved across to sketch comedy and worked on the show Kinne for a few years. The best thing I ever did, however, was move across to stand-up comedy and write my own material. Since then, I鈥檝e performed at the Opera House twice for 'Just For Laughs', been on every comedy panel show, went on 'I鈥檓 a Celebrity Get Me Outta Here', hosted 'Just For Laughs Uncut' for Channel Ten two years running, and now, I鈥檓 excited to say, I鈥檝e just had my own show green-lit. Filming in October.

We all have visions of where we think we鈥檒l end up while we鈥檙e still in school. Was this journey radically different from the career plans you had while at Grace?

I thought I was going to move to LA and marry Leonardo DiCaprio. If anyone said to me, 鈥淵ou鈥檙e gonna end up being a stand-up comedian and write your own shows,鈥� I would鈥檝e laughed at them.

How have things changed for you as a professional during the COVID era? How has the industry, especially stand-up comedy, fared in the last 18 months?

TV is surviving but live stand up has almost died. I was meant to tour Australia last year and my entire calendar was wiped on Friday the 13th of March. This year, I鈥檇 been working up to a show run during the Brisbane Comedy Festival - cancelled. Most comedians have had to get another job during the pandemic. I鈥檓 one of the lucky few who still have TV work and brand sponsorships.

What subjects did you study in your senior years at Grace, and did these help with your development in the entertainment industry?

I studied Drama, Art, HPE and German. All bar German have been incredibly useful. English was perhaps the most beneficial as creative writing has been a must for my career.
 
Do you have any favourite memories of your time at Grace?

I loved putting on a good show at Grace. I also loved our sports days.

Any exciting projects coming up that you鈥檙e involved in that we can look forward to watching?

Keep an eye out for 鈥楤ush Barbs VS The World鈥�, which has been picked up by a major network with the announcement for a release date coming soon! Also, 鈥楯ust For Laughs Uncut鈥�- unless you鈥檙e under 15. It鈥檚 quite naughty!

What advice would you have for any of our students looking to pursue a similar career path to you?

Write your own stuff and shoot it. Create create create. Don鈥檛 wait or ask for opportunities. Build your brand and they will come. Anytime I stop and put my hand out I get nothing. As soon as I start creating stuff and sharing it (on FB etc) people gravitate to you and want to work with you.

To keep up with Nikki's adventures, follow her feeds on  and . For more information about Grace's own performing arts programs, explore our curriculum or contact Grace Academy.