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I’M A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! is set to return to our TV screens this Sunday, but before it does, let's take a close-up look at this year’s most controversial signing.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that GK Barry, 25, whose real name is Grace Keeling, is taking on the challenge of surviving in the Australian jungle.
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Grace rose to fame on TikTok during the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 and soon ventured into the world of podcasts, launching her very own named The Saving Grace Podcast.
GK Barry has interviewed some big names, including TOWIE's Chloe Brockett, This Morning's Allison Hammond, Youtuber Calfreezy, Maddison Beer and Rob Beckett on her podcast.
But the social media star appears to be I’m A Celeb’s big mouth signing, as the influencer has recently been slammed for a string of “harmful” comments in her latest X-rated podcast.
It was even reported that she was at the heart of “crisis talks” centred around her ITV appearance.
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The influencer, who amassed more than a million followers on TikTok in just over a year and now has over 3.6 million fans on the platform, was slammed for comments deemed to be "harmful" after her chat with Only Fans creator Bonnie Blue.
She interviewed the controversial woman, who previously made headlines for bedding a series of University students during Freshers Week.
But fans rounded on GK Barry for how she dealt with the difficult subject matter and accused her of platforming “harmful behaviour” and a “disgrace to feminism".
As a result, the podcast host - who turned down a Strictly spot for a stint in the I'm A Celeb jungle - is now in the midst of an "absolute PR nightmare," a source said.
They were first to tell The Sun of the sheer impact on show planning and explained: "I’m A Celeb is a family show and they can't have anyone on there who agrees with sleeping with barely 18-year-olds.
"The top brass have held crisis talks as to how they handle the backlash with GK enters the show.
ITV in ‘crisis talks’ over GK Barry’s I’m A Celeb appearance after podcast backlash
"GK has deleted the video but the furore hasn't gone away.
"The backlash is already huge on YouTube and social media this is an absolute PR nightmare for ITV.
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"They rely on advertisers wanting to spend money on the show and it's not a good look when one of the campmates has had someone so controversial on her podcast and agreed with everything she said."
Not only this, but thousands shared their concerns and questioned jungle bosses' decision to sign her up for ITV’s family friend show.
Who is GK Barry?
GK Barry amassed more than a million followers on TikTok in just over a year during the first UK lockdown in 2020.
Grace Keeling, better known as GK Barry, is a 25-year-old social media influencer.
She rose to fame during the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, creating a TikTok account and posting short vlogs showcasing her day-to-day life.
Although she originally intended on staying low-key, she gained a large following in no time at all.
By August 2020, only five months after starting her account, she had already hit 100,000 followers, reaching more than a million in just over a year.
She now has over 4.5million followers across her social media platforms.
After completing a degree in film studies from Nottingham Trent University, Grace furthered her education with a master’s in digital marketing.
While at Nottingham Trent, she worked on the set of BBC series Doctors and the Netflix film Hood, as well as creating content for ShawMind — a charity working to promote mental health awareness.
Grace is known for her podcast, named The Saving Grace Podcast.
On the show she invites celebrities and influencers to have a chat about life and the latest trends, as well as any embarrassing stories from their past.
In May 2024, Grace said she was dating a female footballer.
Then in June it came out that the soccer star in question plays for England.
The Sun revealed that Grace and Charlton Athletic striker Ella Rutherford, 24, are getting serious — they've met each other's family and holidayed together.
A source exclusively told The Sun: "GK has been seeing Ella for a while but they are very much official now.
"They grew even closer on holiday in Benidorm and GK has met all her family.
"She's really happy and they are having so much fun together."
One wrote online: “Her audience is 13-20 year old girls. Young and impressionable. This is not the message young girls should be hearing. We need to start de-platforming.”
Another added: “GK Barry having Bonnie Blue on her pod and AGREEING with the harmful s*** she was saying is beyond disappointing. Do better babe.”
A third said: “GK Barry agreed with all Bonnie said and it's sickening. What was said is disturbing and has nout to do with feminism.
"The glorification of [sex work] has put girls and young women in serious danger.”
Filler and Botox
According to experts, GK Barry has evolved from a youthful brunette to ‘chin filler & Botoxed’ star.
Whilst she might only be in her mid-twenties, it appears that the blonde beauty has made some slight changes to her face since bursting onto the celebrity scene four years ago.
A small amount of filler might have been added to her lips for a fuller look, while chin filler may have been used to elongate her face
Dr Alexandre Duvernois
Beauty pros recognised that the star may have had a variety of non-surgical treatments, including Botox, filler and even Radiofrequency-based microneedling treatments.
Dr Alexandre Duvernois, an Aesthetic Doctor from Hyalure KOL, explains to Fabulous: “Whilst GK Barry is young, she may have had subtle aesthetic treatments to enhance her natural features and for preventative measures.
“Her forehead appears to be very smooth which is often a sign of anti wrinkle injections such as Botox.
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“She also may have used dermal fillers to subtly enhance her features; a small amount of filler might have been added to her lips for a fuller look, while chin filler may have been used to elongate her face, giving it a slimmer, more contoured look.
“These enhancements would contribute to her subtle and balanced appearance without being overly noticeable.”
Microneedling treatments
Not only this, but a Cosmetic Doctor suggests that GK Barry, who is in a relationship with Charlton Athletic striker Ella Rutherford, 24, may also have regular aesthetic treatments to contour her skin.
It’s likely she also undergoes regular aesthetic treatments that lift and contour the skin and tissue
Dr Vincent Wong
Dr Vincent Wong, a Cosmetic Doctor at Omniere tells Fabulous: “GK Barry’s face looks contoured and well-structured, which could be a result of her age, but it’s likely she also undergoes regular aesthetic treatments that lift and contour the skin and tissue.
“Radiofrequency-based microneedling treatments like Sylfirm X are a popular choice for defining features.
“This treatment uses targeted heat energy and microneedles to stimulate collagen production, improving skin texture, tightening tissue, and enhancing overall facial contours.
This could be contributing to Grace’s fresh and smooth complexion.”
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Whilst the Cambridge-born youngster may have had a few needles in her face to smooth out her lines and plump up her pout, she has also broken her silence on her upcoming TV stint, as she said the I’m A Celeb jungle “looks like absolute hell” ahead of flying out.
The TikTok star, who has now also become a regular on ITV’s Loose Women panel, told The Mirror: “I hate bugs. I hate sleeping outside. I've never done it. And so I think that would be a lot.
“But I feel like it would also probably be good viewing for other people."
Fake tan and lashes
And as GK Barry was papped at an airport in Australia yesterday, looking fresh-faced and ready for her biggest TV appearance yet, here we take a look at her all-time favourite beauty essentials.
She is rarely seen without two things - fluttery false eyelashes and dark fake tan.
She's also a fan of heavy make-up, and regularly dons slick contour and dark eyeshadow.
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But as GK Barry heads to the I'm A Celeb jungle, whereby the celebs aren't allowed to take in or wear any make-up or skincare products, could now be the first time we see the real, natural GK Barry?
The stars will be provided with various necessities, including toothpaste, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, deodorant and generic body lotion, according to former contestant Lisa Snowdon - but that’s it.
As far as packing goes, the stars are allowed to choose one luxury item from home - such as a pillow or picture - but won't get to have this until a week or so into the show.
In previous years, Georgia Toffolo received a bottle of bronzing lotion in her care package, so there could be hopes for this influencer, but she'll have to be patient until she can receive it.
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English (US) ·