Fern Brady - ‘I make more money in comedy than I ever did from stripping‘

Jul 30, 2025

In a candid conversation, stand-up comedian and author Fern Brady dives into her experiences with autism and the raw realities of her working-class upbringing. She shares how social masking affected her identity and recounts her time stripping to support her education. Fern also reflects on her success in comedy, the challenges of writing her memoir, and the pressure of fame in the entertainment industry. With her trademark humor, she addresses themes of feminism, authenticity, and the complexities of navigating university life as a neurodiverse individual.

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INSIGHT

The Reality of Autistic Masking

Autistic masking means hiding autistic traits to fit in, often causing emotional strain.
Fern learned to mask by mimicking others but found it damaging and exhausting over time.

ANECDOTE

Authenticity on Taskmaster Resonates

On Taskmaster, Fern stopped masking and was seen fidgeting, which some viewers criticized.
Many autistic viewers related to her behavior and felt seen by her authenticity on screen.

ANECDOTE

Boots Job Highlighted Social Struggles

Fern found working at Boots very harrowing due to feeling socially misfit and misunderstood.
She struggled to read social cues, causing frequent reprimands and feelings of exclusion.

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