Rosebud Baker
when it comes to comedian, actor and Emmy-nominated writer Rosebud Baker expect no bullshit or sugar coated anything. her comedy leans into the dark side and is somewhat anecdotal, the delivery is sharp, dry, and damn funny. Her book, Fully Baked, is her memoir. a compelling mix of heartbreak and humor. it touches on her years as a struggling actor, alcoholism, loss, falling in love and motherhood. we were lucky to catch her between book press, her Paper Bag Princess tour and mom duties. she met us at Lucinda’s bar in NY where she ordered a non-alcoholic beer and munched on some chips as photographer Blaise Cepis snapped away. we chatted personal style, writing, ill-fitting bras, 2AM Insta shopping habits, workout routine, rules for men and of course bare essentials.
the bare magazine: has the response to your book gone over and above what you expected? have you found that some of the messages are really hitting the mark for readers?
Rosebud Baker: I’m the most optimistic pessimist I know. I try to avoid having any expectations because having them is always a disappointment. With no expectations, you’re always pleasantly surprised; and in this case, I’ve been blown away by the response to the book. What’s shocked me most is how many people have read it within the span of 1-3 days. It’s exactly what I’d hoped for, because I’ve never finished a book I couldn’t binge-read. I love that people are relating to so much of it because so much of my own experience is in the book— from loss, to addiction, to coming of age, (whatever that means.)
bare: what makes it the perfect summer read?
RB: I think the fact that it’s equal parts funny and emotionally devastating.
bare: when you perform now on stage do you like that people who have read the book know more about you and your journey?
RB: Well, yeah, I guess. It’s a double-edged sword. There’s a selfish comfort to hiding behind jokes that I’ve always secretly enjoyed. But there's also a certain relief that comes from being known on a more personal level. Life is just easier when you don’t have to pretend.
bare: you've had a wild past few years what are some of the latest challenges you are currently facing? does it all continue to inspire your standup and writing material?
RB: Well, I’m a full-time mom of a toddler who is exactly like me, so my greatest challenge is waking up and dealing with myself every day- but that’s been a challenge since I was born. I’m in the process of a divorce, so that sucks a hundred dicks. But I'm grateful for my life. I’m grateful for my daughter’s dad, who made me a mom, and I’m grateful for my daughter, who is the funniest, smartest, most adorable Birthday-Party-On-Legs. And I’m grateful I have a sick job that I love and that I’m good at.
Yes, it all continues to inspire my standup, but I don’t know, maybe one day I’ll try writing about something other than my life. Who knows. I’m trying to keep myself interested, too… and I’m already a little bored of myself.
bare: As you embark on the Paper Bag Princess tour what's your process for coming up with material? does it change nightly depending on your mood, or what's inspiring you?
RB: There are changes to the order of the set, and things usually get thrown out as soon as a better bit comes along. The process changes the longer I do it- for me it’s become more organic. I just wait for the bits to come to me rather than busting my ass to force writing material I don’t really care about. That’s not to say I don’t sit down to write- I definitely still do that, but I tend to keep less and less of that stuff because it just FEELS so written. I used to love that- and I still love a great written bit- I just don’t love a set where I feel like I’m watching somebody’s Word Recital. To me, a good standup set should be somewhat spontaneous. Otherwise I feel like I’m watching Straight-A students (derogatory) performing comedy.
bare: you brought some wardrobe pieces to the shoot that expressed your style. can you describe how it's evolved and some of your favorite brands, shopping outlets / designers? do you like a thrifted find?
RB: I usually wear one fast-fashion piece, one thrifted find, one thing I bought off instagram at 2 AM, and one insanely expensive accessory/piece of clothing that I bought even though I knew it was outside of my means, because I felt depressed.
bare: you're in amazing shape and your skin is glowing. can you share some of your fitness routine? and some skincare discoveries? do you think not drinking alcohol contributes?
RB: work out off of an app on my phone for like fifteen minutes twice a week. But I have a 40 pound live weight that cries when I put it down, so that qualifies as a lot of my heavy lifting. My skin is glowing because I’m on peptides and because no man can come in my house without an invitation.
bare: your musical request on the shoo … 90's hip hop. what is it about that genre that you love?
RB: Hip hop in the 1990’s and early 2000’s will always just remind me of the version of myself that thought smoking cigarettes in a car my dad bought made me a badass, and I miss that little idiot.
bare: please list your top 5 bare essentials.
RB:
1. my vape
2. a foul mouth
3. an ill-fitting bra
4. a bratty attitude
5. a purse with lollipops in it (for bribes)
photos: Blaise Cepis
makeup: Tina Turnbow
Rosebud wears her own clothing
shot at Lucinda’s NY
special thanks to Liz Vap/Feral Cat production
