{{short description|Canadian actress and YouTuber}} {{Use Canadian English|date=September 2017}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2015}} {{Infobox person | name = Nicole Arbour | image = Nicole Arbour.jpg | alt = Nicole Arbour in 2014 | caption = Arbour at the 2014 Hamilton Festival of Friends | birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|29|2012|4|12}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Oswald |first1=Brad |title=Hey! What are you staring at? Her comedy's up here, buddy! |url=https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/arts/hey-what-are-you-staring-at-her-comedys-up-here-buddy-147120985.html |website=Winnipeg Free Press |access-date=2 August 2020 |date=12 April 2012}}</ref> | birth_place = Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | alma_mater = Humber College | other_names = | known_for = YouTube, music | occupation = {{plainlist| * Actress * Choreographer * Musician * Singer * YouTuber }} | partner = }}
'''Nicole Arbour''' is a Canadian comedian, speaker, choreographer, singer, actress, and YouTuber.
== Career == Arbour is a former cheerleader for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association.<ref name=sun>{{cite news|newspaper=Toronto Sun|title='World's Sexiest Comedian' on comeback as a rapper after accident|author-link=Mike Strobel|author=Strobel, Mike|date=April 18, 2013|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/04/18/worlds-sexiest-comedian--on-comeback-as-rapper-after-accident|access-date=September 11, 2015}}</ref> While studying at Humber College, she started her cheerleading career and led the Humber Hype dance team which won two national championships.<ref>{{cite news|title=Unbeatable Arbour pumps it up|url=http://humberetc.com/unbeatable-arbour-pumps-it-up/|access-date=May 22, 2018|archive-date=May 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523010943/http://humberetc.com/unbeatable-arbour-pumps-it-up/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== Acting === As an actress, she appeared in ''Howie Do It'',<ref name="NYT">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movies/person/1608131/Nicole-Arbour/biography|title=Nicole Arbour|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010024028/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/person/1608131/Nicole-Arbour/biography|archive-date=October 10, 2015|url-status=dead|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=The New York Times|date=2015|access-date=July 10, 2016}}</ref> and ''Silent But Deadly''.<ref name=sun/> Arbour's single "Bang Bang" was released on April 30, 2013.<ref name=sun/> On June 18, 2015, her single and music video to "Fun Revolution" was released and was the first Periscope music video to debut.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thereviewsarein.com/2015/07/16/nicole-arbour-presents-the-fun-revolution-artist-qa/|title=Nicole Arbour presents the Fun Revolution: Artist Q&A|last=Murray|first=Joshua|date=July 16, 2015|website=The Reviews Are In|access-date=September 27, 2015|archive-date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923191013/http://www.thereviewsarein.com/2015/07/16/nicole-arbour-presents-the-fun-revolution-artist-qa/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/trending/first-ever-music-video-debuts-on-periscope-31339889.html|title=First ever music video debuts on Periscope - Independent.ie|last=Cullen|first=Clare|date=June 20, 2015|website=www.independent.ie|access-date=September 27, 2015}}</ref> In April 2015, Arbour was nominated as a finalist for "Best Comedian" for the Shorty Awards, won by Hannibal Buress.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/shorty-awards-2015-nominees-include-778517|title=Shorty Awards 2015: Nominees Include Shonda Rhimes, Chris Pratt, Laverne Cox (Exclusive)|last=Lee|first=Ashley|date=March 2, 2015|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=September 27, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Best Comedian in Social Media - The Shorty Awards|url = http://shortyawards.com/category/7th/comedian|website = shortyawards.com|access-date = September 27, 2015}}</ref> Arbour released a single and self-directed music video to "Show Me How You Werk" on December 4, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pineapple Pages Episode 1: Show Me How You Werk|url=http://www.canadaposts.net/post/;/?id=112|access-date=May 22, 2018|archive-date=May 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523011202/http://www.canadaposts.net/post/;/?id=112|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Controversies == === "Dear Fat People" video === In September 2015, Arbour became the subject of controversy when she posted a viral video on her YouTube channel titled "Dear Fat People".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsy.com/videos/dear-fat-people-video-sparks-fat-shaming-backlash/|title='Dear Fat People' Video Sparks 'Fat-Shaming' Backlash|last=Rodriguez|first=Karen|date=September 7, 2015|website=Newsy|access-date=September 12, 2015}}</ref> Critics argued that the video endorses fat shaming.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/09/06/entertainment/fat-shaming-nicole-arbour/|title=Celebrities battle it out over fat-shaming|last=Hetter|first=Katia|date=September 7, 2015|website=CNN|access-date=July 10, 2016}}</ref> The video was temporarily unavailable on YouTube,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.medicaldaily.com/pulse/youtube-video-censorship-nicole-arbours-account-gets-suspended-after-shaming-fat-351414|title=YouTube Video Censorship: Nicole Arbour's Account Gets Suspended After Shaming 'Fat People'|last=Castillo|first=Stephanie|date=September 6, 2015|website=Medical Daily|access-date=July 10, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> over claims that it violated the YouTube terms of service, but was later restored.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.cnn.com/2015/09/06/entertainment/fat-shaming-nicole-arbour/ |title=Fat-shaming: Celebrities battle it out|first= Katia|last= Hetter|work=cnn.com |date= September 8, 2015|access-date=September 8, 2015}}</ref>
Arbour was the subject of both public and celebrity criticism, with plus-size model Ashley Graham labelling her comments as "disgusting".<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/694742/youtube-star-nicole-arbour-fired-from-movie-role-for-cruel-fat-shaming-video|title=YouTube Star Nicole Arbour Fired From Movie Role for 'Cruel Fat-Shaming Video'|last=Harrison|first=Lily|date=September 10, 2015|website=E! Online|access-date=September 11, 2015}}</ref>
Soon after the video was released, Canadian director Pat Mills stated publicly that he had considered hiring Arbour as a choreographer for his then-upcoming film ''Don't Talk to Irene'' after meeting with her, but that he then saw "Dear Fat People" and it "made me never want to see her again".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.people.com/article/nicole-arbour-fired-movie-job-after-fat-shaming-video|title=Nicole Arbour Responds to Claim She Was Fired from Film Job in Wake of 'Dear Fat People' Backlash|last=Heigl|first=Alex|date=September 11, 2015|website=PEOPLE.com|access-date=May 12, 2016}}</ref> This was reported as Arbour having been "fired" from the film, but in fact no job offer had been extended.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/youtube-star-nicole-arbour-fired-from-movie-after-fat-shaming-video-2015119|title=YouTube Star Nicole Arbour Fired From Movie After Fat-Shaming Video - Us Weekly|last=Webber|first=Stephanie|date=September 11, 2015|website=US Weekly|access-date=July 10, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.etonline.com/news/171683_nicole_arbour_fired_after_fat_shaming_video_backlash/|title=YouTube Star Nicole Arbour Fired From Film After 'Dear Fat People' Backlash|last=Willis|first=Jackie|date=September 11, 2015|website=ET|access-date=September 27, 2015}}</ref>
On September 16, 2015, Arbour appeared on ''The View'' to defend the "Dear Fat People" video, stating that "that video wasn't made to offend people...it's just satire," that she wasn't targeting those with medical conditions, and that the video wasn't supposed to be taken seriously.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.people.com/article/nicole-arbour-refuses-apologize-dear-fat-people-the-view|title=Nicole Arbour Refuses to Apologize for 'Dear Fat People' YouTube Video on The View|last=Olya|first=Gabrielle|date=September 16, 2015|website=PEOPLE.com|access-date=September 27, 2015}}</ref> ''Time'' magazine stated, "Arbour doesn't see her comments as bullying, but rather an intense form of truth-telling".<ref name=":2">{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/4028119/dear-fat-people-nicole-arbour/|title='Dear Fat People' Comedian Nicole Arbour: 'I'm Not Apologizing'|last=Ross|first=Ashley|date=September 10, 2015|magazine=Time|access-date=July 10, 2016}}</ref> Arbour was quoted in the ''Time'' article saying: <blockquote>I find seeing someone's head being blown off offensive ... I find children starving in a country with more than enough food offensive. I find women's bodies being mutilated for religious purposes, that is offensive to me. But words and satire I don't find offensive.<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>
==Personal life==
On January 1, 2024 Arbour got engaged to Jamaican musician Simon "Skygrass" Bowden.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Tom |date=2024-01-05 |title=Nicole Arbour and Simon "Skygrass" Bowden Announce Engagement: "I Said Yes!" |url=https://www.eonline.com/ca/news/1392537/nicole-arbour-and-simon-skygrass-bowden-announce-engagement-i-said-yes |website=E! Online |publisher=NBCUniversal |access-date=2025-10-20}}</ref>
== Filmography == === Film === {| class="wikitable" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- |2008 |''The Rocker'' |Trashy Groupie |- |2009 |''You Might as Well Live'' |Regina Manitoba | |- |2011 |''Silent But Deadly'' |Jackie | |}
=== Television === {| class="wikitable" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- |2006-2009 |''Video on Trial'' |Herself |Series regular |- |2007 |''Winnipeg Comedy Festival'' |Herself |Standup Comedian <ref>{{cite web |title=Performers Winnipeg Comedy Festival |url=http://www.winnipegcomedyfestival.com/performers/display,profile/262 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523011107/http://www.winnipegcomedyfestival.com/performers/display,profile/262 |archive-date=May 23, 2018 |access-date=May 16, 2018}}</ref> |- |2009 |''Howie Do It'' |Beautiful Assistant / Spokesmodel |Series regular; 7 episodes |- |2014–2015 |''Too Much Information'' |Herself<ref>{{cite news |date=November 17, 2014 |title=Too Much Information features cavalcade of comedians |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2014/11/17/too_much_information_features_cavalcade_of_comedians.html |access-date=May 16, 2018}}</ref> | Series regular |- |2015 |''CMT's Hottest'' |Herself |Series regular |- |2015 |''CMT's Hottest'' |Herself |Series regular |}
== Awards and recognition == {| class="wikitable" style="width:85%;" |- !Year !Award !Category !Result !Ref. |- | 2009 | IAB Mixx Awards | Branded Content | {{Nom}} | style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |date=September 14, 2009 |title=MIXX Awards Finalists Announced |url=https://www.iab.com/news/mixx-awards-finalists-announced/ |access-date=May 16, 2018}}</ref> |- | 2015 | Shorty Awards | Best Comedian | {{Nom}} | style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |date=February 3, 2015 |title=Shorty Awards 2015: Nominees Include Shonda Rhimes, Chris Pratt, Laverne Cox (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/shorty-awards-2015-nominees-include-778517 |access-date=May 16, 2018 |publisher=Hollywood Reporter}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Comedian in Social Media - Shorty Awards |url=http://shortyawards.com/category/7th/comedian |access-date=May 16, 2018}}</ref> |- | 2016 | The Producers Choice Honors | Honorary Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame | {{Won}} | style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |title=Celebrity Sightings In Los Angeles |url=https://www.gettyimages.com/event/celebrity-sightings-in-los-angeles-november-09-2016-590323723#/gigi-hadid-is-seen-at-jimmy-kimmel-live-on-november-09-2016-in-los-picture-id622094650 |access-date=May 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2016 The Producers Choice Honors |url=https://producerschoicehonors.com/submissions/alumni/ |access-date=May 16, 2018}}</ref> |- | 2017 | International Pain Foundation Hero of Hope Awards | Nerve To Be Heard | {{Won}} | style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |title=2017 Hero of Hope Award Winners |url=https://internationalpain.org/heroes-of-hope/ |access-date=May 16, 2018}}</ref> |- |}
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb name|2313639}} * {{facebook|NicoleArbourfans}} * [https://www.youtube.com/user/nicolearbour Nicole Arbour] on YouTube
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Arbour, Nicole}} Category:1980s births Category:21st-century Canadian actresses Category:21st-century Canadian comedians Category:21st-century Canadian women singers Category:Actresses from Hamilton, Ontario Category:Canadian cheerleaders Category:Canadian choreographers Category:Canadian female dancers Category:Canadian women comedians Category:Living people Category:Mass media people from Hamilton, Ontario Category:Musicians from Hamilton, Ontario Category:NBA cheerleaders Category:Canadian women choreographers Category:YouTubers from Ontario Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Comedians from Hamilton, Ontario Category:Humber Polytechnic alumni