GK Barry’s Journey from Cambridgeshire to Celebrity Stardom

The latest season of the popular reality show, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, is set to premiere on November 16, 2024, bringing a new wave of contestants to the Australian jungle. Among those with ties to the show is GK Barry, known off-screen as Grace Keeling, who gained fame during last year’s series by finishing in fifth place.

Born in Cambridge, Grace’s upbringing was marked by a significant move at the age of two when her family relocated to the British Virgin Islands. They returned to the UK six years later, where Grace pursued her education, eventually attending Nottingham Trent University. There, she studied film and completed a master’s degree in digital marketing. During her time in Nottingham, she gained valuable experience working on the set of the BBC series Doctors and the Netflix film Hood.

Grace’s rise to fame can be traced back to the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, she began posting humorous videos on TikTok as a way to alleviate boredom. By August of that year, she had amassed over 100,000 followers, and within a year, her audience grew to over 1 million. Today, GK Barry boasts an impressive following of four million on the platform.

In an interview with Heat, Grace explained her motivation for creating content: “During lockdown, I was honestly bored out of my brains, so I started making the most pointless videos where I would do storytimes about what had happened with ex-boyfriends or whatever.” She quickly realized her potential and decided to continue her creative endeavors.

Her choice of the username GK Barry reflects her desire for privacy; she initially wanted to keep her real name out of the public eye. The surname “Barry” comes from a friend, adding a personal touch to her online persona. Grace’s content often revolves around trending topics, with her keen sense of humor making her videos relatable and engaging.

In addition to her online presence, Grace hosts the podcast Saving Grace, where she has featured notable guests like Gemma Collins and Chris Hughes. Her television appearances have also expanded, including roles on shows such as The Wheel in 2024 and Don’t Look Down for Stand Up to Cancer in 2023. With her growing popularity, she has become a panellist on the widely viewed show Loose Women and has even hosted programs on BBC Radio 1.

Grace Keeling’s journey from her early days in Cambridgeshire to her current status as a television personality exemplifies the impact of social media on career trajectories. As she continues to build her brand, GK Barry remains a notable figure in the entertainment landscape, captivating audiences with her unique blend of humor and authenticity.