‘It’s been a whirlwind’: Alabama social media superstar on his ‘insane’ year and newfound success

Matt Mathews might not be a household name just yet, but Alabama’s funny “farm chores guy” is getting there.

With every social media video he posts, every comedy show he performs and every new project he attempts — and there are plenty of ‘em — Mathews takes one more step on the road to stardom.

The Birmingham native, 31, became a viral sensation during the coronavirus pandemic, making people chuckle with his witty videos about life in rural Jefferson County. Fussing at his animals in a colorful fashion, wearing a bathrobe and boots while cuddling the chickens or feeding the pigs, moaning “I hate it here!” while simultaneously proving that the pasture is his paradise ... Mathews quickly earned a fan following that has grown by the millions.

READ: How an Alabama man became a TikTok star with funny farm videos (‘I hate it here!’)

Ambitious by nature, Mathews has parlayed his social media fame into a career as a standup comedian, selling out shows around the country and even a few dates overseas. Now he’s about to film his first comedy special in his hometown, doing two performances on Saturday, July 20, at the Alabama Theatre.

Mathews has long been an expert multitasker, working as a successful boudoir photographer and moonlighting as a barrel racer while he tends the farm with his husband, Rob Killgore. Add a constant social media presence and on-stage comedy to the mix, and well, let’s just say this determined achiever been extra busy of late.

AL.com caught up with Mathews during an hourlong phone interview, asking him about recent accomplishments and plans for the future. Of course, we had to find out how his beloved critters are doing, too. Here’s what Mathews said.

(The interview below has been edited for length and clarity.)

When you talked to AL.com in February 2023, you were making videos about farm chores and preparing to launch a national comedy tour. How has your life changed over the past year or so?

Matt Mathews: Oh, my gosh, it’s been a whirlwind. I never in a million years thought, when I started this tour, that I would perform over 120 shows and sell over 150,000 tickets. That’s probably been the most insane thing to me. And then just people knowing who I am, and waiting hours just to get into a building to watch me perform … It’s a very humbling and incredible experience. I think the biggest thing is, honestly, being on the road and that’s a huge change in itself. But it’s worth it. Every time I get to step on that stage, it’s an incredible feeling. And it’s never something that I thought was going to happen, coming from the little boy from Bessemer.

Is the comedy tour your primary focus right now? How are you managing that with boudoir photography, a merchandise store, a farm to tend, daily social media posts and barrel racing?

It been a hard thing for me to juggle, because I am still photographing clients, and I have my store. My store is insane, as well. I have kind of backed away from boudoir. I don’t have plans to 100 percent quit, because that’s something that I love so much. We’ve done it for over 10 years, so it’s a very special thing to me. I don’t shoot as much as I used to. I used to shoot three days a week. Now I shoot maybe one day a week; maybe I don’t shoot at all. But my assistant Brianna has taken over 99 percent of the shooting. In all honesty, she’s just so incredible and she’s so talented. And she has such a heart for boudoir. I tell everybody all the time, “She’s honestly better than I am.”

I try to go into my store at least a couple of days a week, and be present and be there, and see how things are going. I’m still very involved in the design process and new product launches. That is still very much a lot of what I do. But I think touring is definitely the main thing, because it takes so much work.

READ: The double life of Birmingham photographer Matt Mathews

What have your comedy shows been like?

The shows have been incredible. I never really had the desire or the dream to be a comedian, you know, it just kind of happened for me. I’ve done this show over 120 times, and there may be something that I change at every single show. It just depends on the audience and my vibe that night, and what I’m feeling. The best parts of my show, I think, are the crowd work and the interaction that I do with the audience. That’s the most fun thing to me, being able to learn about the people that are coming to my shows. Being able to have a moment where I can get to know them, and they can feel they’re a part of the show.

Tell us a little about the structure of the shows. Do you come out in a robe at the beginning? Do you tell stories about your life?

This show is set up — I don’t want to say scripted, because it’s never scripted and it’s always off the cuff — but it is different every single time. Right now, I have a video that plays — it’s a little farm video that we did with (my chicken) Fluffy before she passed away — and I come out in a robe and I have a stuffed chicken, and it is just so, so cheesy. But it’s fun, because I don’t walk out on to stage like most comedians do. I come out from the back of the audience or a side door, someplace that nobody ever expects. So they’re all looking at the stage, waiting for me to walk out, and I come out from the side and I walk through the audience and I dance with people and hug people and twerk on people. It’s a really funny thing.

I talk a little bit about farm chores, because that’s what people expect. And then we kind of get down into the show. As far as the audience goes, it changes every time. There may be somebody that I call out as soon as I step on stage, and it may take 5 or 10 minutes before I take the robe off and get into the show with the crowd work. It really just depends.

It sounds like you’re riffing with the audience during most of the show. Are you good at improvisation?

I’ve always been very quick on my feet. I think that’s part of the reason why the tour has been so successful. People have always known me to be kind of a smartass, and they’ve always known me to say whatever I think. I hold back nothing at the shows.

What have your audience interactions been like? Anything off-the-wall or crazy?

People will yell stuff out because they want my attention and they want me to talk to them. The craziest thing that happens sometimes is that people are drunk … We had a lady one time who crawled down the aisle. She was in the very back of the theater, in the nosebleeds, and she came down and, like, crawled down and sat down in the front row, on the floor, like criss-cross applesauce. And I was like, “Ma’am, what the hell are you doing? This is not preschool. Take your ass back upstairs.” … But really nothing super-crazy, nothing rude or mean. Really, it’s just been people who are big fans. I’ve had a lot of people try to kiss me, so that’s fun.

You’re taping your first comedy special at a Birmingham landmark, the Alabama Theatre. Why did you choose that spot for filming?

I am just so excited to be able to film the special in Birmingham. It’s just so sentimental to me, because this is my hometown. The Alabama Theatre is a theater that I grew up going to, watching “Home Alone” at Christmas and that kind of thing. I’ve always thought that the Alabama Theatre was so beautiful. Also, I started this tour in Birmingham at the Stardome comedy club with 400 people in that room, and now I’m able to end this tour at the Alabama Theatre with 4,000 people. To me, it’s just a “you did it” kind of thing. And I didn’t think that I’d be able to.

Can you tell us where the special will air? Do you already have a home for it?

Right now, we have three networks that are interested, so it just kind of depends on what the right fit is — figuring that out and figuring out the best deals. Thankfully, I have really incredible agents to handle that part.

You signed a deal with Creative Artists Agency in May. What does that mean for your career?

A lot. CAA is a powerhouse. They are the biggest entertainment agency in the world. It’s incredible to be represented by them; there are just so many more opportunities. We have a new tour coming out in the fall. It’s called “Bougie on a Budget” and it’s a full Live Nation tour. It’s really great, because I have a whole team of people. I have a whole team of agents who believe in me and want me to succeed. I have a book agent, so we’re working on another book. I have my touring agent, so we’re working on my Live Nation tour. I’m doing more TV and film, so I have scripted and unscripted agents. It’s a lot of very cool things.

Does signing with a major agency mean you’ll have to change in some way? Or are you still in charge of your career?

I remember when I announced that I signed with CAA, people were like, “Oh, my God, you sold your soul.” And I’m like, “Are y’all high? It’s an agent. I didn’t sign up with the Illuminati. It’s an agency. They just get me jobs.” Thankfully, for me, this all happened to me at a place in life when I am grown. I’ve been a business person for many years. I know who I am. I know what I want to do. I know what I expect. So there is no changing that, and I expect respect from the people that I respect. So there’s not going to be any changing Matt Mathews now that he’s with CAA, know what I mean? They work for me. At the end of the day, they don’t make money if I don’t make money.

You filmed a new YouTube reality series, “Doin’ the Most with Matt Mathews,” that will debut in September. Tell us about that.

It kind of started as a running joke, because everybody on the Internet was like, “Matt, what can you not do? You’re a comedian; you’re a photographer; you’re a barrel racer; you live on a farm; you sing; you do it all. Is there anything you’re not good at?” So I was like, “Let me show y’all what I’m not good at.” So I started to do things I do not do in my everyday life. I would not do bungee fitness. I would never be a bartender. I’m not a good cook; cooking is not my thing.

So I’ve done all of these things in places around Birmingham. I’ve gotten to cook at Yo’ Mama’s restaurant. I went to a bungee fitness place. I was a guest bartender at Siluria Brewing. I’ve done all these things that I’m really terrible at, and it makes for very funny TV. Each episode is like 20-25 minutes. We wanted to try to to keep everything as local as possible. I really wanted to highlight businesses in Birmingham, and show a little bit of laughter and happiness in Birmingham.

In every episode, I go do something outrageous. I took a ballet class at Alabama Ballet for one episode, and that was the funniest episode I have filmed. I just could not get over how out of place I am. You know, this kind of country, kind of ghetto kid from Bessemer with the Alabama Ballet and these super bougie, fancy people doing their ballet. Oh, my gosh. I can’t wait for you guys to see that episode.

Wait, you can sing? Do you have plans to do that professionally?

Music is actually my first love. I wanted to sing and do music my entire life, but I’ve always been so scared of that. … But it may be a new thing. It may come in time. Maybe my comedy platform will be another step to music.

You made an appearance in January on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” You’ve also been on “Good Morning America.” Will you do more TV or possibly movies in the future?

TV and film is fun to me. Anything where I can get to be me and make people laugh is something that I enjoy. There’s a couple of things that are lined up, and I am doing some auditions for actual scripted films.

READ: Alabama TikTok star talks farm chores on ‘Kelly Clarkson Show’: ‘Girl, that chicken doo-doo’

What would be the ultimate project for you, something you’ve always wanted to do?

I think the ultimate — one of the biggest things that I would really love to do — is a sitcom loosely based on my life. I grew up loving sitcoms. All the sitcoms that I grew up on were, like, “Full House” and “Family Matters,” those type of things. I think being able to do a modern-day, fresh spin on a sitcom about this gay guy that lives in the South, and lives on a farm, and is married to this man that is the complete opposite of him, and is a business owner and hustler and all these things. I think it would be just really, really cool. Starring and playing myself in a sitcom is a goal we’re reaching toward.

What does your husband think about your career and all the changes this past year?

It’s definitely been a big change. He actually goes on tour and manages my merch, so we’re together 24/7. .. He’s my biggest pain in my ass, but my best friend at the same time. He’s such a big supporter of me and everything that I do. It may not be his thing; he doesn’t want to be in a movie or he doesn’t want to be on stage. He’s more private. He may think I’m crazy, but he’s known that for 10 years.

You announced on social media that you’ll be moving to a new ranch. Will you still be living in Alabama?

Yes, still in Alabama. It’s 104 acres, a beautiful house and a barn. They’re working on construction now. They should be done by December, so we’ll see. We are in love with it already. My barn is underneath the house, so I can walk downstairs and feed all my animals, so I am really excited about that. The No. 1 thing that I wanted is my barn underneath my house. And then my horses, their pastures will lead directly into their stalls. We also have a home gym, which I’m very excited about. I quit going to the gym when I started touring, because life was really hectic, and people started bothering me at the gym.

What’s it been like for you, getting noticed by fans when you’re in public?

Well, this is what I signed up for. To me, there are definitely times when I’m just, hey, I want to eat my food or I’m just walking through the airport, just trying to catch a flight. But at the end of the day, without those people that want to take a picture with me, and want to talk to me, and just want a minute of my time .. Without those people I would never be successful, so I always try to take a minute and take a picture, or say hi or whatever. Because those people are the reason I’m able to do this. Even at 5 o’clock in the morning, when I’ve had zero sleep and I’m in pajamas with a hood over my head and I’m walking through the airport and I’m exhausted, if somebody sees me, I’m still going to smile and take a picture with them. I’m just grateful to be able to do this.

Would you ever hire a security guard?

I’m just not that bougie. We have security at shows and stuff like that. But I am not Taylor Swift. I do not need anybody following me around.

Your social media following continues to grow. You’re up to 4.7 million followers on TikTok, 2 million on Instagram, 2.3 million on Facebook. How are you keeping up with that?

It’s a lot. It is definitely a lot. There’s that pressure about constantly putting out material, constantly making them laugh. It’s a task. It’s hard to juggle, but it’s fun.

Let’s talk about farm chores. How many animals do you have right now?

We have four horses and a donkey. We have two pigs; we have six goats. I just had some new baby hens. I’ve got like 40 chickens. There are three cats, and then I think the next thing I want to add is turkeys. I have my two dogs still. They’re literally laying right here on the couch with me. They’re the best.

Does Rob still take care of the goats?

I do not do the goats. They’re still Rob’s thing, I don’t mess with the goats.

Fans mourned with you last year when you posted an emotional video about the death of Fluffy, your favorite chicken. She was quite a social media star, too. Can we talk about that?

People say, it’s just a chicken. And I get it; it is a bird. But Fluffy was the exception. She was so much more than that. She had so much personality, and she truly was like my best friend. She literally came inside and we would watch movies together, and she took a bath, and she would be standing on the porch at the front door waiting for me. She was the exception. She’s the reason that all of this happened. Without her, this career wouldn’t have even been a thing. ... Millions of people loved that chicken. It was incredible what she gave me.

Can another chicken take Fluffy’s place? Do you have a new favorite?

I don’t really get attached to my chickens anymore. I love all of them. If I didn’t love them, I wouldn’t have them. I do genuinely love having chickens, but I don’t get attached to them. … It is always sad, losing a member of the family, and I consider all of my animals members of the family. But it’s a part of farming. It’s a part of owning livestock. I love them all, but I do not get close to those chickens anymore, because they just don’t live long enough for me to be so in love with one.

READ: Photographer, social media star Matt Mathews: Opossum taken by the state was his ‘baby’

It seems like Wookie, the donkey on your farm, has stepped into the spotlight now that Fluffy is gone.

Wookie has definitely stepped into the spotlight. Honestly, it is surprising to me that it took this long, because he just has so much personality. He is so funny, and he is so obsessed with me. I tell my husband that I’ll never have a man that loves me the way Wookie loves me. He is a riot, so much personality, so loving, so funny, wants to be the center of attention at all times. And the internet has just taking a real loving to Wookie. Everybody loves Wookie. Everybody asks about him, they want merch with him. He’s definitely the star. He’s a ham, so it’s not surprising.

You still have horses, but do you have time for barrel racing?

I really miss my horses when I’m on tour, and I really miss competing. And they miss competing. They’re standing in the pasture, like, “what the hell.” Being able to really run my horses, I miss that. … That’s a part that’s not very fun.

What’s been the highlight for you over the past year?

One of the things that sticks out, and I talk about it in my show, is doing “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” That was a really big thing to me. When I walked outside, I ran into Jon Hamm in the elevator, because he was doing a late-night show in the same studio. So we’re in the elevator together, and we’re talking, and then I walk outside and there’s paparazzi. They were taking pictures, but I didn’t realize they were taking my picture. I thought they were taking somebody else’s pictures.

I’m in sweatpants and a hoodie and I’m walking out to this really bougie car. I have my manger and security with me, and I’m walking out onto the sidewalk in Times Square, and there’s these paparazzi taking pictures. I look at my manager and I’m like, “Ooh, girl, there’s a celebrity out here. See who it is!” And she’s like, “You idiot, they’re taking your picture.” So that was a moment for me. I was like, “Whoa.”

Have you had a low point, where you’re sobbing in the bathroom or something?

Yeah, for sure. I’ve had really lonely moments. Again, I think that is just part of this career. I signed up for this. I mean, I’m never home. I see all of my friends doing fun things, and hanging out, and doing all these things. I don’t have a whole lot of friends. I have a handful of friends that I really love and I tell everything to. I think there’s just been a lot of moments where I’ve been really lonely. … Now I feel like everybody wants to be my friend because I’m in the public eye. Everybody wants to be your friend because you’re the farm chore guy, or you’re Matt Mathews, or whatever the case is. That’s probably been the hardest part for me, is just realizing that my life is different now. I think loneliness is just the No. 1 thing.

Have you learned anything about yourself that you didn’t know before?

I have learned that I am a psychopath. I have learned that I do not enjoy time off. I have learned that I am so impatient. I have learned that I am my biggest critic. And I’ve learned that I’m really, really hard on myself.

If you are now famous, do you like being famous?

Well, I still don’t consider myself famous. To me, I’m just me. I’m still the same Matt from Bessemer. I’m still the same Matt that went to McAdory High School. I always say that — this sounds really dumb — I always say that it takes a special type of person and personality to be famous. You have to be born to be able to handle that, because there’s so much that goes into it. ... I would be lying to you if I said I didn’t enjoy that people think that I’m famous. That’s fine, but I still don’t think that. But my entire life, even when I was little, I wanted to be a performer. And I guess that’s being famous.