How to Fail as a Popstar
Digital series · Premiered on CBC Gem
What happens when a star isn’t born? How to Fail as a Popstar, an adaptation of Vivek Shraya’s hit play and subsequent book, answers this question with hilarity, vulnerability, a healthy dose of imagination, and of course, music.
Streaming now on CBC Gem.
Featuring
- Vivek Shraya
- Adrian Pavone
- Chris D’Silva
- Written by Vivek Shraya
- Directed by Vanessa Matsui
- Co-directed by Vivek Shraya (1 episode)
Official selection
- Cannes International Series Festival · Short Form Competition
Nominee
- Canadian Screen Awards · Best Supporting Performance, Web Program or Series · Nadine Bhaba
- Canadian Screen Awards · Best Lead Performance, Web Program or Series · Adrian Pavone
- Canadian Screen Awards · Best Picture Editing, Web Program or Series · Tiffany Beaudin, Pauline Decroix
- Canadian Screen Awards · Best Writing, Web Program or Series
- Canadian Screen Awards · Best Web Program or Series, Fiction
Popstar‘s exceptional watchability and fluid pacing is thanks to a delicious recipe of nostalgia (the show is shot with the dreamy gloss of a ’90s glamour shoot), humour, vulnerable performances, and, of course, a creative team primarily made up of women and women of colour.
A groundbreaking, beautiful piece of work.
At times tender, at times hilarious, and always comes with a deep sense of humanity of someone really, really trying to go for it.
I found it refreshing how the characters don’t internalize the white gaze, which we don’t have many examples of in the media.
With her dazzling performances sprinkled throughout the episodes, and accompanied by a soundtrack of her original songs, Shraya’s artistry and skill as a writer and performer are on full display…. Her story is full of heart, courage, and self-acceptance, and has a vulnerability that will resonate with viewers, whether or not they consider themselves artists.
…Equal parts an emotional journey and funny comedy, with an appealing 1990s and 2000s aesthetic, packaged with unique and compelling visuals to make you fall in love with this story.
A work bursting with queer creativity, a story of artistic reality alive with artistic possibility.
Fell in love with How to Fail as a Popstar…
Featured
- Must-watch Shows for Fall 2023
(The Globe and Mail) - Our Favourite Book to Movie & TV Adaptations of 2023
(She Does the City)
Interviews with Vivek
More Press
On Q with Tom Power
Vivek talks to Tom Power about the pursuit of fame and self-compassion.
On CTV’s The Social
Vivek shares why it was important for her to turn How to Fail as a Popstar into a series.
On CBC’s Here & Queer
Vivek discusses unravelling our obsession with success with her show about failure.
Free Teaching Guide
This lesson guide by Robin Phillips for Grades 7–12 provides creative and adaptable learning activities that invite teachers to meaningfully engage with the themes in How to Fail as a Popstar.
Gallery
Related projects
How to Fail as a Popstar OST
Soundtrack ·
Failed Popstar tee
T-shirt ·
How to Fail as a Popstar
Book ·
How to Fail as a Popstar
Play ·