Nicole Arbour

Early Career and Cheerleading

Nicole Arbour's entry into the public eye was through cheerleading and dance. She studied at Humber College in Toronto, where she began her cheerleading career and led the Humber Hype dance team to two national championships. This athletic foundation provided a springboard into professional entertainment, leading to a role as a cheerleader for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association. The discipline and performance experience from cheerleading heavily influenced her subsequent work in choreography and stage presence, establishing her as a performer with a high-energy, motivational style that would become central to her later comedy and online persona. Her time with the Raptors connected her to a major Canadian sports institution and provided a platform that helped launch her broader entertainment ambitions.

Entertainment Career

Arbour has built a career across several entertainment fields, working as a comedian, choreographer, actress, and marketing consultant. As a comedian, she has performed on stage at major comedy festivals with a style she describes as super bubbly. Her choreography work includes roles on major Canadian award shows, and she has appeared on television programs such as Howie Do It, Silent But Deadly, CMT Hottest, and Too Much Information on SuperChannel. Beyond performance, Arbour has created branded entertainment campaigns for companies like Virgin Mobile, Nike, Molson, and Axe. She has also been featured on other television programs including Sunny Megatron on Showtime, demonstrating her ability to secure spots on both Canadian and American networks.

Music and Digital Content

Nicole Arbour has actively pursued a parallel career as a recording artist, releasing several singles and music videos through her YouTube channel. Her single Bang Bang was released on April 30, 2013, marking her early foray into music. On June 18, 2015, she released the single and music video for Fun Revolution, which was notable for being the first music video to debut on the live-streaming platform Periscope. She followed this with the self-directed single and video for Show Me How You Werk on December 4, 2017. She also maintains a significant presence on Instagram with 2.1 million followers, where she promotes her work and personal brand. Her content often revolves around themes of resilience and positivity, notably through her #GOTEAM movement, which she created as a motivational response to personal challenges including a serious 2008 car accident. This movement forms the core of her public speaking and online advocacy, positioning her as a figure who overcomes adversity.

Nicole Arbour has created branded entertainment and marketing campaigns for major companies such as Virgin Mobile, Nike, Molson, and Axe. She released the single and music video for "Fun Revolution" on June 18, 2015, which was notable as the first Periscope music video to debut. Her viral video "Dear Fat People," posted in September 2015, garnered over 20 million views on Facebook alone. She also released a self-directed music video for her single "Show Me How You Werk" on December 4, 2017.

• Virgin Mobile: Created branded entertainment and marketing campaigns.
• Nike: Developed marketing campaigns as part of her consulting work.
• Molson: Partnered on branded content initiatives.
• Axe: Produced record-breaking branded entertainment campaigns.
• Periscope debut: First music video ("Fun Revolution") to debut on the platform in June 2015.
• Instagram following: 2.1 million followers on her primary account.

Arbour uses her online platform to blend comedy, music, and motivational content under her #GOTEAM movement. She has leveraged her persona for commercial projects like record-breaking branded campaigns. Her work includes creating content that often blends sketch comedy, music video, and vlogging for direct audience engagement. This approach integrates her roles as a comedian, recording artist, and marketing consultant.

The "Dear Fat People" Controversy

In September 2015, Nicole Arbour posted a video on her YouTube channel titled Dear Fat People, which rapidly went viral and became the most defining and controversial moment of her career. The six-minute video featured Arbour delivering a monologue that critics widely condemned as endorsing fat-shaming, arguing it was cruel and damaging. The video garnered immense attention, accruing over 20 million views and 177,000 likes on Facebook alone in its first week. It was temporarily removed from YouTube for alleged violations of the platform's terms of service but was later restored. The video provoked intense public and celebrity backlash, with plus-size model Ashley Graham calling Arbour's comments disgusting. Canadian director Pat Mills stated that after seeing the video, which he described as fat phobic and awful, he decided against hiring Arbour as a choreographer for his body-positive teen film Don't Talk to Irene. Media reports initially framed this as Arbour being fired, though Mills clarified no formal job offer had been extended. Arbour defended the video as satire during a September 16, 2015, appearance on The View, stating it was not meant to be taken seriously or to target people with medical conditions. In an interview with Time magazine, she framed her commentary not as bullying but as an intense form of truth-telling, arguing that making fun of everyone is a unifying force.

The "Dear Fat People" video led to widespread public and celebrity criticism, including from plus-size model Ashley Graham who called her comments disgusting. Director Pat Mills stated he considered hiring Arbour for a film but decided against it after seeing the video, costing her a potential job opportunity. The video was temporarily removed from YouTube for violating terms of service before being restored. Arbour appeared on The View to defend the video as satire, but the incident solidified her divisive reputation.

• Public criticism: Plus-size model Ashley Graham publicly labelled her comments as "disgusting."
• Professional repercussion: Director Pat Mills rescinded a potential choreography job for the film Don't Talk to Irene.
• Media appearances: She defended the video on the American talk show The View on September 16, 2015.
• Platform action: YouTube temporarily removed the video for violating its terms of service.
• View counts: The video achieved over 20 million views on Facebook within a week of release.
• Award nomination impact: Earlier in April 2015, she had been a finalist for Best Comedian at the Shorty Awards, but the controversy overshadowed this recognition.

The "Dear Fat People" controversy firmly established Nicole Arbour as a provocative figure in online spaces. Her refusal to apologize and her defense of the video as satire intensified the public divide. Media coverage frequently described the video as fat-shaming and fat-phobic, highlighting the offensive nature of its content. This event defined her public image as someone who uses controversy and intense truth-telling in her comedy.

Recent Activities and Public Persona

Following the 2015 controversy, Arbour has continued to build her career as a digital creator and live performer. She actively promotes a persona centred on resilience, humour, and defeating adversity, often referencing her own experience with chronic pain stemming from her car accident. Her #GOTEAM movement is a recurring theme in her content, positioned as a motivational call to action for her audience. In January 2024, Arbour announced her engagement to Jamaican musician Simon Skygrass Bowden, sharing the news of their relationship publicly. She maintains an active schedule, as indicated by social media posts referencing activities like doctor's appointments scheduled for 2026, suggesting ongoing management of personal health. Her professional description on Instagram lists her as a Comedian, Music Maker, Creative Director, Chronic Pain Defeater, encapsulating the blend of entertainment and personal narrative that defines her brand. She continues to engage with her audience through podcasts, such as an appearance on the Perform Podcast, where she discussed her career and philosophies.

Selected Filmography and Media Appearances

Nicole Arbour has acted in television shows such as Howie Do It and Silent But Deadly. She has also been seen on programs like CMT Hottest and Too Much Information on SuperChannel. Her television work primarily falls within the comedy and entertainment genres. These appearances complement her extensive work creating original content for digital platforms.

Notable Singles and Music Videos

Arbour has released several singles as a recording artist, often creating and directing accompanying music videos. Her music typically features pop and dance-oriented production, aligned with her energetic public image. The single Bang Bang was released on April 30, 2013. The single and music video for Fun Revolution was released on June 18, 2015 and was noted as the first music video to debut on Periscope. She released the single and self-directed music video for Show Me How You Werk on December 4, 2017. These releases demonstrate her continued activity in the music space, using the medium as another channel for her creative expression and brand building. The videos serve as extensions of her comedic and performative style, often designed for high shareability on social media platforms.

Nicole Arbour released her single "Bang Bang" on April 30, 2013. On June 18, 2015, she released the single and music video for "Fun Revolution," which was the first music video to debut on Periscope. She released another single and self-directed music video titled "Show Me How You Werk" on December 4, 2017. These releases mark her efforts to establish a career as a recording artist alongside her comedy work.

• "Bang Bang": Released as a single on April 30, 2013.
• "Fun Revolution": Single and music video released on June 18, 2015. First music video to debut on Periscope.
• "Show Me How You Werk": Single and self-directed music video released on December 4, 2017.
• Shorty Awards: Nominated as a finalist for "Best Comedian" in April 2015, an award that also recognizes digital creators.

Her music releases, such as "Fun Revolution" and "Show Me How You Werk," show her pursuing a parallel career in music. The innovative debut of "Fun Revolution" on Periscope was a specific milestone in promoting her music. She directs her own music videos, maintaining creative control over these projects. These efforts demonstrate her work to build an identity as both a comedian and a recording artist.

Questions about Nicole Arbour

Why was Nicole Arbour's 'Dear Fat People' video controversial?

The Dear Fat People video was controversial because it was widely perceived as promoting fat-shaming under the guise of satire. In the six-minute rant, Arbour made comments that critics found cruel and damaging to overweight individuals. The video sparked significant backlash from the public and celebrities, led to her being dropped from consideration for a film choreography job, and was temporarily removed from YouTube. Arbour defended it as satire not meant to be taken seriously.

What is Nicole Arbour known for?

Nicole Arbour is known as a Canadian comedian, YouTuber, speaker, choreographer, singer, and actress. She gained significant notoriety in 2015 after posting a controversial viral video titled Dear Fat People, which critics argued endorsed fat shaming. Her career includes being a former cheerleader for the Toronto Raptors, releasing music singles like Bang Bang and Fun Revolution, and being nominated for a Shorty Award for Best Comedian. She also promotes a personal brand and motivational message through her #GOTEAM movement.

Was Nicole Arbour fired from a movie?

Nicole Arbour was not formally fired from a movie, as no job offer was extended. In 2015, director Pat Mills stated he had considered hiring her as a choreographer for his film Don't Talk to Irene after a meeting. However, after seeing her Dear Fat People video, which he called unfunny and cruel, he decided against hiring her. Media reports at the time incorrectly stated she had been fired, but Mills clarified the situation, explaining she lost a potential job opportunity.

What is the #GOTEAM movement?

The #GOTEAM movement is a motivational campaign created by Nicole Arbour. She started it as a personal response to overcoming chronic pain following a serious car accident in 2008. The movement promotes themes of resilience, positivity, and self encouragement. Arbour incorporates this messaging into her comedy, social media content, and public persona as a motivator and chronic pain defeater.

What is Nicole Arbour's background in cheerleading and dance?

Nicole Arbour is a former cheerleader for the NBA's Toronto Raptors. She began her cheerleading career while studying at Humber College, where she led the Humber Hype dance team to win two national championships. This athletic and performance background provided a foundation for her later work as a choreographer and entertainer. Her experience in leading a championship team is often referenced in her energetic and motivational public persona.

What acting and music work has Nicole Arbour done?

Nicole Arbour has acted in shows like Howie Do It and the film Silent But Deadly. In music, she released singles such as Bang Bang on April 30, 2013, and Fun Revolution on June 18, 2015, which was the first music video to debut on Periscope. She also self-directed and released the music video for Show Me How You Werk on December 4, 2017. Her career spans multiple entertainment fields, including comedy, music, and television appearances.

Sources and further reading

• Nicole Arbour (Wikipedia)
• YouTube comedian Nicole Arbour reportedly loses job ... (globalnews.ca)
• Nicole Arbour, Comedian (shortyawards.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-25.