Nikki Osborne

The “Covergirl Comedian” Nikki Osborne is so much more than a pretty face. Regarded as one of the quickest brains in the industry, her comedy chops have earned her regular cast roles in sketch comedy series’ Kinne and Mick Molloy’s The Nation, Peter Helliar’s How to Stay Married, and as narrator on the AACTA-Nominated (Best Comedy Entertainment Program) Drunk History.

A trained actor, sketch comedy veteran, writer and stand-up comedian, Nikki has in the two decades since landing a role in the Sam Neill-helmed Jessica, collected TV and movie credits including starring turns as Delvene Delaney in the Paul Hogan miniseries Hoges (The Paul Hogan Story), and as Natalie Wood’s best friend Jackie Estes in The Mystery of Natalie Wood.

As host of the interactive game show Quizmania, Nikki gained over three hundred hours of live national television experience and a cult following who are still with her today. She hosted the lifestyle show Find Me a Dream Home for Channel Nine and was a weekly commentator on Seven’s National News. When her “Bush Barbie” character proved to be a viral hit worldwide, Nikki created, wrote, directed and starred in her TV own pilot, with the hilarious Bush Barbie vs The World airing in Network Ten’s Pilot Week.

As well as a sought-after sketch artist, Nikki is a frequent guest on comedy panel and entertainment shows including Hughesy We Have a Problem and Show Me The Movie, and has appeared as celebrity guest for I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, Celebrity Name Game and Celebrity Mastermind.  

In February of 2024 the Seven Network unveiled the star-studded lineup of the twenty-first season of hit dancing competition TV show Dancing With The Stars, with Nikki joining the celebrities vying for the charity of their choice and a chance to win the iconic Mirror Ball Trophy.

When mother-of-two Osborne’s son was diagnosed with autism, she instinctively turned to humour – taking up writing funny posts to put a positive spin on her reality. They proved so popular that she was hired to write blogs for an autism-related website with the mission statement to cheer up parents amidst the stress and fear that can come with a diagnosis. This in turn led to Nikki creating her 2018 debut solo stand-up comedy show On The Spectrum. The autobiographical show, intended to show the lighter side of parenting a child with autism, made national and international press after sparking a debate about whether some topics should be off-limit in comedy – a debate that has since expanded into a frequent discussion in the media.

This impressive debut was a warmly received sell-out, winning over sceptical audiences and launching Osborne firmly into the stand-up comedy spotlight. The industry respect Nikki has earned since that breakout show has led to her performing at the Sydney Opera House for four seasons of Just For Laughs’ Australian stand-up showcases for TV, and to host Just For Laughs’ Uncut showcase of the raunchiest late-night laughs from the biggest names at the world-renowned comedy festival in Montreal for Network Ten.

With her third boundary-crossing live show Bad Barbie having collected accolades for her openness, honesty, genius ad-libbing and heckler smackdowns, Nikki took it abroad in 2023, selling out shows in her Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut.

Funny and heartfelt, Osborne is Bad Barbie who tells it like it is, knows exactly where her performance strengths lie and has written a show which caters to them. Funny and filled with warmth.

★★★★★ The Upside News

One hell of a raunchy show. Nikki Osborne is an entertainer in the fullest sense of the word.

★★★★ Lilithia Reviews

A tell-it-like-it-is icon I didn’t grow up with but wish I did. Sassy, smart… a true comedy queen

★★★★ The Iconic Blonde Reviews

Funniest stand-up I’ve seen.

★★★★★ Greg Burns, Capital FM Drivetime (UK)

Fucking hilarious.

Bert Kreischer (USA)