Ruling the airways, Australian comedian and actress Pam Ann (aka Caroline Reid) has developed cult-like following bestowed upon her by her huge following, including fans such as Madonna. Most of her shows and humor encompass airline-related topics, as she identifies many of the bizarre and unexpected traits of some of the major international airlines. She also brings to light many of the well-known stereotypes of flight attendants as well.
Pam will be ready for take off June 2, 3, 5, 9, 10 and 12 at The Triad on West 72nd street in NYC.
How did you begin your career?
I didn’t really set out to be a comic. I wanted to be a fashion designer to be honest, but that clearly wasn’t going to work, because I couldn’t sew. Believe it or not, but I was incredibly shy growing up, so I took up acting classes to help me come out of my shell. Well, as you can see, it worked. I began acting in dramatic roles. I thought I wanted to be a serious actor until I played the role of a mute revolving door, which ironically opened the door to comedy for me. The play was so long and boring, my mute revolving door was a relief for the audience as I made fun of all the actors walking through me. I also hated auditions. They petrify me to this day, so I thought the only way I can do acting or showbiz is if come up with my own character, and that is how Pam Ann was born…through vodka and fear. Famously, “everyone needs a gimmick.”
How did you get your name, and why did you pick the airlines as a theme?
Pam Ann was born out of vodka. It was at my James Bond-themed birthday party. I dressed as a Pan Am airhostess, the chicest airline ever, and James Bond only ever flew Pan Am. It was at this party the name Pam Ann was born, because my friends were calling me Pan Am but after 50 vodkas it sounded like PAM ANN. Try it now; say Pan Am 10 times. See? It sounds like PAM ANN. As for the airline theme, I love the style and glamour of the Golden Age of flying. It inspired me creatively on so many levels.
Do you travel often?
95% of the year I am on a plane flying somewhere. I am a plane geek. I know every plane, airline and airport in the world. Well, I like to think so. I even had Richard Quest from CNN visit me at my New York apartment to discuss airline travel for his series Business Traveler. Richard is the only other person who I know travels as much as me. Can you imagine our conversation? No one else can get a word in. People hate us when we are together.
What is your least favorite airline?
Ryan Air and Easy Jet in the U.K., or any budget airline for that matter. Any airline that allows passengers to go barefoot I won’t travel on. The quality of the passengers reflects the airline: CHEAP.
Give me a brief bio of yourself: where you come from, where you were raised, etc.
I grew up in the Eastern suburb of Vermont in Melbourne, Australia. I was raised by a very glamorous mother and workaholic father who eventually divorced when I was 12 years old. I dropped out of high school at 16 years old and became a club kid with the gays and trannies, who raised me through my ‘20s. I was a new romantic Goth kid back then, obsessed with fashion and clubbing. I worked in the clubs at night: Chasers and The Lounge in Melbourne, and during the day I worked in a shop called Scanlan Theodore, which sold incredibly off-the-wall fashion back then. I also had my own club night I promoted called Purveyors with DJ Nemo Adam, a hip hop DJ. I would create themes every week; for example, I had a Scarface night. I put huge trays of “cocaine” (sugar) at the bar, I had machine guns hanging from the ceiling and I dressed as Michelle Pfeiffer’s character Elvira Hancock donned in a white suit, blonde wig with cocaine residue around my nose. It was through these club nights that gave me an outlet to create characters and environments. Then one day the PR girl from The Lounge was going away overseas for six weeks and asked me if I could fill in for her doing the PR for the club. I said sure, and it was through this job I got to know the owner Carlos, and I eventually asked him if I could do a show in the club. He said yes, and the rest is history. Pam Ann was born.
What is your favorite thing since sliced bread?
I love tall, sexy black men with huge, hard dicks.
If you could change lives for a week with anyone, who would you choose and why?
I would like to be a tall, sexy black man from New Jersey with a huge dick and fuck whores for a week.
Who inspires you?
Joan Rivers (the only time I will ever say #toosoon), Louis CK and Shark Tank.
Someone just wrote the story of your life. What is it entitled?
“PAM ANN: BEHIND THE GALLEY CURTAIN”, “The Woman Behind the Man.”
What do you think you will be doing in 10 years?
Married to a tall, sexy black man with five kids, living in Newark!
Are you working on any new projects? Tell us your performance schedule for the summer.
I am performing in Provincetown, Stockholm for Pride and vacationing in Mykonos before embarking on a five-week run on London’s West End and a tour throughout the U.K. in the fall. I am also working on a Pam Ann film and TV series and in 2016 Pam Ann’s 20th Anniversary global tour. So watch this space. Exciting things ahead!
