YouTube sensations Rose & Rosie are bringing the comedy to Chicago for the first time from London. Their videos range from hot topics to their own wedding together.
Dark-haired Rose Ellen Dix joined YouTube in school in attempt to go viral on the channel. Blonde Rosie Spaughton started her own channel called TheRoxetera in 2011. This eventually led to collaborating. By 2016, they hit a million views.
For a North American tour called "Rose & Rosie: Exposed," the duo are heading to Chicago.
Windy City Times: First time in Chicago?
Rose: This is our first time so we are really looking forward to it. I hear amazing things about the city. It is a shame we are not staying long enough to explore it.
WCT: How did you two meet?
Rose: We met through mutual friends actually. We lived about 40 minutes from each other in separate towns. Ironically we dated the same girl, not at the same time! [Laughs] Rosie dated her first, then they broke up, then I dated her. That is how we knew of each other. I guess it happened for a reason because Rosie and I ended up together. The rest is history!
WCT: Does the lesbian community in England all know each other?
Rosie: It is a bit incestuous. Where we are from it is very rurally based. It is hard to find anyone gay there. We got lucky and found each other. I think it is really difficult for most people, so we were very happy.
WCT: There is not a good lesbian dating app is there?
Rosie: No, but I think I would try it if I were single, but they need to make one that is good enough for us.
WCT: We don't have much of a lesbian bar scene here in Chicago.
Rose: That's crazy!
Rosie: I don't think it is great over here either, really. I think there is room for improvement here.
WCT: How is married life?
Rosie: It is going really well. People thought the first year of marriage would be really hard.
Rose: Then after our first year people said the second year can be very hard. We are still fine. We are really enjoying ourselves. I still want to be married to you, Rosie!
Rosie: We haven't killed each other so that is a positive thing. We never really argue either. I think we are quite lucky. We live and work together. For some married people that would be a disaster. I think because we are doing something we really love it is all good. It is a recipe for success I hope.
WCT: You travel well together?
Rose: Yes, we do. I really hate flying and Rosie is very supportive. I am always having a bit of a panic at the airport. It can be stressful. I am getting better at it.
Rosie: When one of us gets a bit nervous about touring the other one will step up. The dynamic works.
WCT: You have made several videos about babies. Are you going to have one?
Rose: We really want to have a baby, but at the moment it is all about timing. We are all about touring at the moment. We think it is one of the best things we have done. We can go places and meet everyone now before we start the baby making process.
Rosie: We are going to spread our wings as much as possible over the next year or two.
WCT: Describe your live show.
Rose: A lot of YouTubers become daunted about live shows, but for Rosie and I it is the best thing that we have done. Following the UK tour we decided to take it to America and Canada.
We are trying to break down the wall of there being a screen, because all of our audience watches us on YouTube. We want people to be involved in a live YouTube video.
It is called Exposed because it is all unedited. It is also a theme in the show to get exposed so we are playing off that.
We have based it on some of our popular videos, and getting the audience involved to feel a part of something. It is bringing our strong LGBT demographic together too. Even though we make fun comedy videos, we are aware we have an audience of LGBT people so we want to create a safe space for that. That is something we really love.
WCT: Do you ask the audience questions?
Rosie: Oh, yeah.
Rose: It is very audience participation heavy. We want the audience to be onstage as much as we are. We go into the audience as well. It is very interactive. No one is safe!
WCT: Have you seen the movie Atomic Blonde?
Rosie: Yes.
Rose: Oh god, I loved it so much. We took Rosie's sister who is straight. During the sex scene she asked if I knew this was going to happen. I said, "Why do you think I bough the ticket?"
I am a huge fan of James McAvoy, but Rosie isn't because she is jealous.
Rosie: It was awkward because we ordered some food. It was one of those cinemas where food can be brought to your seat. We got our food right at the crux of the plot line so we missed the integral piece of information.
Rose: None of us knew what was happening because all of the food came at once. We missed the important bit but still enjoyed the film.
Rosie: We liked the lesbian angles and the fighting.
WCT: You watch Orange Is the New Black?
Rosie: It is good, gritty and honest. It is good to have representation on TV.
Rose: It is a good social commentary.
WCT: How does comedy in England translate to comedy in America?
Rosie: I guess we will find out!
Rose: Our core demographic is actually Americans so I guess it is the same. I haven't done anything live in America before. I am imagining you guys will be so welcoming.
Rose: We are going to bring it to be honest. In England we are very polite and reserved. I think that what we like about America is there are some many places with different atmospheres. You guys aren't afraid to heckle and we love that.
Rosie: In England we had very different evenings when we did the tour. Sometimes it was quieter, then sometimes rowdy.
Rose: It was a really good mix. I think this Chicago one will be fun!
Rose & Rosie arrive at Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave. on Wed., Sept. 27, at 8 p.m. Visit ParkWestChicago.com for tickets and information.
