Behind the bubbles

She is a regular face at festivals and fetes across the Northern Rivers region, but few people would realise that Shorty Brown the Clown once had a high-flying career interviewing A-list celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Orlando Bloom and Gwen Stefani.

The children’s entertainer previously known as Cherelle Brown grew up in Tintenbar, but left for the big smoke as soon as she finished high school.

“There was no hesitation, I was out of here!” she said. “I was determined to chase my dreams of becoming rich and famous.

“While I didn’t quite hit those marks, I became rich in stories and experiences. I’ve travelled the world and entertained millions of people in countless ways.”

Brown began her career at Triple M radio station in Sydney before moving to 2Day FM, where she worked alongside the top-rating duo Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O. She then moved onto a role as a video journalist at MTV where she spent much of her time on the red carpet, interviewing everyone from Heath Ledger and Russell Crowe to Will Smith.

She also spent a decade in the US, including four years performing stand-up comedy in New York.

It was there that she began working as a children’s entertainer in 2002, before returning home to be close to her family in 2011.

“My dad had Alzheimer’s, and my brother was battling lung cancer,” she said. “It was time to come home, support my loved ones, and build a new life here.”

After they both passed away, Brown set aside her grief to offer children’s birthday parties, before branching out to kids’ discos and other events.

“I love clowning around, being silly, and embracing slapstick comedy,” she said. “Big bubbles are always a crowd favourite, especially at festivals.”

Brown has another big year ahead, with gigs at major events such as the final Bluesfest in April, the Kidchella festival at Surfers Paradise in July and the Earth Frequency Festival in South-East Queensland in October.

“I’m going to be a very busy clown,” she said.