I want to be the Zooey Deschanel version of myself

The Annual Comics Choice Awards are coming up. As in previous years, I’m excited to see what the showcase offers and who the winners are.

Once a year, the awards give me the opportunity to be a celebrity. That’s not something I’m comfortable with. The thought of the sparkly, high heeled, smile-and-wave, paparazzi side of publicity can send me squirming into the corner of a bathroom stall, scrolling my phone for cat pictures until the whole thing is over and everyone has gone home.

Being a stand-up comic allows me to express mysef on stage in a raw way. But it also means I’m  a public figure, and I have to transform into a glossy version of myself on the red carpet.

At the same time, I love being glamorous. I love getting pretty, wearing make-up, doing my hair, and wearing gorgeous clothing. I just need to work out a way to be red-carpet ready AND comfortable in my own skin, without feeling like the token Indian in an episode of “Toddlers with Tiaras”.

I don’t have a personal stylist to guide me, so I have to be more practical in my search. Last year, I started by searching for celebrities who express their identities in their style. You know, celebrities you’d imagine could be your bestie in real life.

I kept looking at pictures of Zooey Deschanel. Her goofy humour and style appeal to me. She’s quirky but not pretentious. She breaks the rules by being herself and gives other girls, like me, permission to do the same.

I realised that Zooey’s unique style lies in tongue-in-cheek details. A belt with a bow, patterned stockings, nails painted like tuxedos. In creating my outfit, I channel my inner Zooey by celebrating the things I love, the things that are subtle but reflect who I am.

I go to vintage shops for interesting purses, and hosiery stores for cool stockings. I sift through the jewellery I inherited from my grandmother. I try to include something cat themed, and something hand-made, like a paper maché bracelet to throw in the air when a friend wins an award.

Dressing up in a way that reflects who I am gives me the freedom to feel comfortable and happy, enjoy the event, and take the pressure of publicity with a pinch of salt. If the Press notices my style, these will be good conversation pieces, so I don’t have to stutter in the shadows of Chester Missing again. If they don’t notice, no biggie, I’ll have cats.

*PS: If anyone found the paper maché bracelet I tossed in the air at ast year’s awards, please contact me.