SHR Entertainment LLC from Las Vegas Nevada presented Serving C*nt with Sarah Hester Ross at the Orlando International Fringe Festival. I had sketched Sarah at a past Fringe and since then her career has skyrocketed. During the pandemic the videos she was sharing online started going viral. She downplayed the long term splendor of internet fame but her incredible vocals cross my feed almost every day. Many are simply dressing room selfies shot in the mirror but the power of her voice stops me from my doom scrolling every time.
Considering her popularity, I feared that I might not get in to get a sketch. I was thankful when I got in. The show featured bold confessional comedy and incredible cabaret numbers. Sarah was all over the stage and even circulating around the audience. I was hard pressed to pick a moment to try and get her on the sketch page. I ultimately decided to sketch her twice.
She had a huge black hand fan with white letters that spelled out CUNT. I saw these fans pop up all around the fringe to wick away the sweat between shows. Between several songs Sarah walked off stage while a video played of people ribbing her online popularity. The internet community is vicious and often comments wished her dead. There were videos of goats blissfully munching on grass as the comments ripped Sarah to shreds. We had already witnessed some of her vocal talents, so the absurd attacks became increasingly hilarious. You need to have thick skin to make it in showbiz that is open to the anonymous comments of armchair trolls.
One song in particular hit home which empowers woman. Many of Sarah’s songs are meant to empower woman to do whatever the F*ck they want despite the comments and push back from a patriarchal society. Thankfully Sarah will never lower her voice.