“I was an emotional wreck”: Saffron Barker on the secrets and sacrifices of growing up online

Influencer, KZbinr and podcast host, Saffron Barker has taken the internet by storm. With a KZbin following of almost 3.5 million subscribers across her two channels as well as 1.8 million Instagram followers, Saffron is well-loved for her engaging content.
Stepping into the TV spotlight when she joined the 17th series of Strictly Come Dancing with dancing partner AJ Pritchard, she’s made the leap into the mainstream after a string of TV appearances, taking part in Celebrity Hunted and The Celebrity Circle.
At the young age of 23, Saffron has completed what some people might dream of achieving, ticking off life goals, buying and renovating her own house, travelling the world and even bringing out home and clothing lines. In this episode, we go behind the scenes of her journey to fame, chatting about what it’s like to be catapulted into such young success, what she feels she could have done differently and how she coped with transitioning from online platforms to mainstream media.
Thank you for watching!
CHAPTERS
0:00 - trailer
0:59 - intro
3:01 - what was Saffron like in early life
3:55 - Saffron's girlband
6:52 - How Saffron's KZbin journey began
8:00 - When did it all take off?
12:09 - How Saffron's mum impacted her career
13:59 - What were your craziest experiences?
15:09 - What are Saffron's aspirations?
17:11 - What happened after Saffron left school
18:20 - What would she have told her younger self?
18:50 - Saffron's struggles at school
20:38 - Facing burnout & abuse when over-sharing
22:50 - Impact on her mental health
25:30 - Why she took a step back from vlogging
26:04 - Sharing her relationships online
28:43 - Her first break-up in the limelight
31:20 - Sharing whilst going through her break-up
32:30 - How she protects her boundaries
33:45 - How she found out she got Strictly
36:44 - What's the Strictly audition process like?
38:32 - Was she worried about how Strictly would change her life?
40:06 - How she dealt with the hate
41:05 - Did Strictly change her life?
42:10 - The fake stories that arose whilst she was in Strictly
42:50 - How her school bully reacted to her doing Strictly
44:10 - How she deals with the hate now
45:12 - What are her big goals for the future?
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[@charlottegreene7324]

Saffron comes across really well and the questions asked were great but I find Grace is waiting to ask the next question rather than really listening and letting it flow naturally

[@ElleVanDaat]

I find it so interesting, when people call 2015 the „Start of KZbin" when I was so invested in Beauty-Vloggers on KZbin in 2009. I guess i am old.

[@backstagewithcaitlin]

Me too. But I do think from 2015-ish (tbh probably a bit earlier, more like 2013) is when I really noticed a shift in brand marketing strategies to include more 'influencer marketing'. It almost felt like a new shift in KZbin which changed the platform and the content people post on here

[@jacquiemartin9090]

I’m guessing she means content for her age is when it kicked off. You are obviously older and were watching older content. This might not have interested a young teen.

[@emiliaranta3858]

I just love how real and honest she is!

[@0rlosteppy]

Wow, never watched saffron barker growing up but what an interesting interview! She seems so genuinely charismatic and sweet

[@georgialeigh1674]

Please change the editing. Why have you done it on a split screen? It’s just so awkward and unnecessary

[@amyrosemerritt6025]

Can you get Eve Bennett on the podcast? X

[@JessMurfin]

Just wondered why the Spotify episode is shorter than the KZbin video? I don’t want to miss anything haha addicted to your podcast 😊

[@ellathompson3113]

I don’t know the reason so just guessing here but maybe it’s because she would get more money per view on KZbin rather than Spotify, so maybe she puts the longer eps on here so more people watch here. Yeah just a guess though x

[@hannahhughes6133]

Its actually crazy im only 2 years older than her and been watching her since she was with jake. Weve basically grown up together 😂

[@oceanpier]

What a strange way to edit where they're sitting. It looks like they aren't looking at one another. Apart from that go, Saffron. ❤

[@shanDawg06]

this was such a nice video to get to know saffron better and have questions asked we all would love to know. plus .......how is her boyf gunna top that rock on her hand already!? or have i missed big news lol.

[@laidbyshay]

My two faves 🥹

[@navikaagrawal9607]

can you make a video on how to start a startup?

[@lalax6277]

I've always loved saffron !!

[@deliciouscravingsbyaczapata]

Me too. She is so Genuine, Sincere, Honest and open mind. Also humble. Love her so much😊.

[@BLESSINGMARIEE]

Would love to see some time stamps on the epissodes.

[@Grace-Beverley]

Have added those for you!

[@mjones1187]

thank you!@@Grace-Beverley

[@BLESSINGMARIEE]

thank you!@@Grace-Beverley

[@Amelia-.939]

we need some time stamps please! :)

[@Grace-Beverley]

all done! 😊

[@OfficiallyHYPR]

Why am I getting weird vibes off grace??? Informative podcast but the vibes are off, body language is awkward.

[@rosiebrown6948]

It’s 2 different videos cut and pasted together - you can see a faint line down the centre and their hands disappear into it all the time

[@OfficiallyHYPR]

@@rosiebrown6948 yeah I know that :) x

[@ChloeM4525]

I was looking for a comment like this! I feel like she doesn't care about the answers, doesn't listen properly and is just rushing to ask the next question. Feels kinda rude

[@zoemccormack7197]

I think at 15 you shouldn't be prioritising a career, go out with your friends and have fun! It's so young

[@rochelle1199]

I agree, but it worked for her and it doesn’t seem like she has regrets about it

[@Tazmin.]

She was still out with friends having fun and she has a good family around her.

[@nicolagrihault1714]

When she said i feel so old girl im 25 ❤ im older than google , anyone born before 4th September 1998 ur all older than google

[@sarahpollard6381]

Grace just looks so disengaged and bored…

[@alexhaynes7220]

Is it ok that I am a 25 year old man and I have never and still don’t have a girlfriend and any friends and mates and family 😢😢

[@nicolagrihault1714]

I'm sorry to hear that but I dont understand the feeling I'm very similar,

[@alexhaynes7220]

What is and does arose mean

[@hannahhughes6133]

Look at that big rock on her finger 👀

[@meganthomas9618]

Grace looks disgusted in saffs life choices

[@skyamy8617]

I literally would watch saffron’s blogs everyday while she was preparing for her GCSE’s as I was getting ready for mine as well 🥲