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Miss Ballooniverse on the Aztecs, Balloon College, and Why She Carries a Castration Device with Her at All Times
Join us on this captivating journey into the fascinating world of live entertainment. Host Adam Sternberg brings you engaging conversations with remarkable entertainers, from magicians and jugglers to aerial artists and contortionists. Discover the unique stories behind their extraordinary careers, the challenges they've faced, and the motivations that drive them. If you're passionate about live entertainment or simply curious about the lives of these extraordinary performers, this podcast is a must-listen.
Episode Highlights
In this episode, Adam Sternberg welcomes Natalie Haverstock, internationally acclaimed balloon artist and performer, better known by her stage name Miss Ballooniverse.
A natural entertainer with roots in acting and comedy, Natalie has transformed the humble balloon into an art form blending creativity, humour, and craftsmanship into something truly extraordinary. From teaching balloon-making to global audiences online, to dazzling celebrity guests at high-end events, her story is as uplifting as her creations.
Adam and Natalie explore her colourful journey from the theatre stage to the balloon stage, the art behind every twist and fold, and the resilience required to reinvent oneself in an ever-changing creative industry.
Key Discussion Points- A Musical Start: Growing up in North West London, Natalie was surrounded by creativity, her father was a violinist who even appeared in Fiddler on the Roof. Though she trained in classical acting at Rose Bruford College, comedy and improvisation soon became her passion.
- Improvisation & Performance: As the former Artistic Director of London Theatre Sports, Natalie honed her quick wit and stage presence, tools that would later prove essential to her success as a performer.
- Discovering Balloons: A chance introduction to a balloon agency in 2008 sparked her unexpected new career. What began as a side hustle quickly became a full-fledged art form as Natalie discovered the power of balloons to connect, amuse, and amaze audiences.
- From Beginner to Master: Her trip to Belgium’s Millennium Jam convention transformed her skills and inspired her signature style from wearable balloon dresses to Jeff Koons-inspired creations.
- Art Meets Psychology: Natalie shares how balloon modelling, like acting or magic, is all about reading the room and evoking emotion proving that every squeal of delight is part of the performance.
- The Celebrity Connection: From Britain’s Got Talent to private charity galas, Natalie’s balloon caricatures of famous faces have charmed stars like Simon Cowell and delighted crowds around the world.
- Adapting Through Adversity: During the pandemic, Natalie pivoted to virtual workshops, teaching balloon art to teams and families across continents proving that joy is still possible through a screen.
- Balloons Without Borders: From Dubai to London, her craft transcends language and culture. As she puts it, “Laughter is the same in every language and balloons are a universal symbol of fun.”
- The Aztec Connection: Ever the curious creator, Natalie even shares how ancient civilizations inflated animal intestines as early balloon art connecting history, humour, and creativity.
- Performance Over Perfection: While technique matters, Natalie insists her real art lies in the performance: “It’s 60% entertainment, 40% balloons.”
The Balloon Dog Lesson:
Natalie gives Adam a hilarious hands-on crash course in balloon art, guiding him through the twists and turns of crafting the classic balloon dog. The result may not win awards, but it brings laughter and lessons in equal measure.
Behind the Tools:
In a moment of trademark eccentricity, Natalie reveals one of her most unusual tools, a veterinary castration device repurposed to stuff confetti and toys into balloons. Her accountant, she jokes, still hasn’t recovered.
For more on Miss Ballooniverse’s live shows and workshops, visit:
👉 https://www.instagram.com/missballooniverse
To stay updated on future episodes, follow @ItsTheVarietyShow on:
TikTok
YouTube
Don’t miss out on how we plan to bring this podcast to life with Variety Live shows.
🎵 Original title music written by Peter O'Donnell and produced by Chris Burgess.
Join Adam Sternberg next time for another captivating glimpse into the world of live entertainment.
View all episodes
By Adam SternbergJoin us on this captivating journey into the fascinating world of live entertainment. Host Adam Sternberg brings you engaging conversations with remarkable entertainers, from magicians and jugglers to aerial artists and contortionists. Discover the unique stories behind their extraordinary careers, the challenges they've faced, and the motivations that drive them. If you're passionate about live entertainment or simply curious about the lives of these extraordinary performers, this podcast is a must-listen.
Episode Highlights
In this episode, Adam Sternberg welcomes Natalie Haverstock, internationally acclaimed balloon artist and performer, better known by her stage name Miss Ballooniverse.
A natural entertainer with roots in acting and comedy, Natalie has transformed the humble balloon into an art form blending creativity, humour, and craftsmanship into something truly extraordinary. From teaching balloon-making to global audiences online, to dazzling celebrity guests at high-end events, her story is as uplifting as her creations.
Adam and Natalie explore her colourful journey from the theatre stage to the balloon stage, the art behind every twist and fold, and the resilience required to reinvent oneself in an ever-changing creative industry.
Key Discussion Points- A Musical Start: Growing up in North West London, Natalie was surrounded by creativity, her father was a violinist who even appeared in Fiddler on the Roof. Though she trained in classical acting at Rose Bruford College, comedy and improvisation soon became her passion.
- Improvisation & Performance: As the former Artistic Director of London Theatre Sports, Natalie honed her quick wit and stage presence, tools that would later prove essential to her success as a performer.
- Discovering Balloons: A chance introduction to a balloon agency in 2008 sparked her unexpected new career. What began as a side hustle quickly became a full-fledged art form as Natalie discovered the power of balloons to connect, amuse, and amaze audiences.
- From Beginner to Master: Her trip to Belgium’s Millennium Jam convention transformed her skills and inspired her signature style from wearable balloon dresses to Jeff Koons-inspired creations.
- Art Meets Psychology: Natalie shares how balloon modelling, like acting or magic, is all about reading the room and evoking emotion proving that every squeal of delight is part of the performance.
- The Celebrity Connection: From Britain’s Got Talent to private charity galas, Natalie’s balloon caricatures of famous faces have charmed stars like Simon Cowell and delighted crowds around the world.
- Adapting Through Adversity: During the pandemic, Natalie pivoted to virtual workshops, teaching balloon art to teams and families across continents proving that joy is still possible through a screen.
- Balloons Without Borders: From Dubai to London, her craft transcends language and culture. As she puts it, “Laughter is the same in every language and balloons are a universal symbol of fun.”
- The Aztec Connection: Ever the curious creator, Natalie even shares how ancient civilizations inflated animal intestines as early balloon art connecting history, humour, and creativity.
- Performance Over Perfection: While technique matters, Natalie insists her real art lies in the performance: “It’s 60% entertainment, 40% balloons.”
The Balloon Dog Lesson:
Natalie gives Adam a hilarious hands-on crash course in balloon art, guiding him through the twists and turns of crafting the classic balloon dog. The result may not win awards, but it brings laughter and lessons in equal measure.
Behind the Tools:
In a moment of trademark eccentricity, Natalie reveals one of her most unusual tools, a veterinary castration device repurposed to stuff confetti and toys into balloons. Her accountant, she jokes, still hasn’t recovered.
For more on Miss Ballooniverse’s live shows and workshops, visit:
👉 https://www.instagram.com/missballooniverse
To stay updated on future episodes, follow @ItsTheVarietyShow on:
TikTok
YouTube
Don’t miss out on how we plan to bring this podcast to life with Variety Live shows.
🎵 Original title music written by Peter O'Donnell and produced by Chris Burgess.
Join Adam Sternberg next time for another captivating glimpse into the world of live entertainment.