Naomi Grossman is perhaps best known for her role as Pepper in some of American Horror Story’s strangest and most popular tales. Naomi’s new show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is an autobiographical tale of how Naomi, someone who had spent the majority of their career trying to find their perfect role until they eventually became the horror movie super-star they are today.
We begin at the very beginning with a short anecdote about how her mother is currently writing rather fruity fiction. We get the vibe that Naomi’s childhood was vibrant and warm and that Grossman was always hustling and looking to achieve, even at a young age.
The journey from an over-achieving teen through to many, many small parts in movies and TV, as well as balancing a variety of weird and wonderful day jobs, paints a rather colourful picture of a life very well lived. From extremely rude Spanish classes to a very special trip to Comic-Con, this is a show that pulls no punches. Naomi wears her heart on her sleeve, and she celebrates the good with the bad. We learn that she hasn’t had the easiest love life nor the easiest career, but every moment of the journey feels like it’s been lived with courage and passion.
Naomi is incredibly charming throughout. A seemingly effortless talent for drama combines with a sense of intimacy that makes the whole show feel like you’re sharing a drink with a friend who has all the gossip to tell and all the tea to spill.
American Whore Story brings a touch of gritty Hollywood wonder to the rainy streets of Edinburgh, though only for a while. Naomi has fantastic energy, charm and a wicked sense of fun. If you like long stories about Hollywood, love American Horror Story, or just want to hear an incredible story well told, this one is for you. Passionate and splendid, go see this show. Simply fabulous.
You can pick up tickets for Naomi’s show here, and find out more about future shows here.