GK Barry: A Rising Star in Reality Television and Social Media

Background and Introduction

GK Barry, whose real name is Grace Keeling, is a prominent social media personality known for her significant presence on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where she boasts 870,000 followers on Instagram and 3.6 million on TikTok. At just 25 years old, Grace is set to join the 2024 season of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, a move that is expected to elevate her status further as a household name in the entertainment industry. She will be alongside other well-known personalities such as Oti Mabuse, Danny Jones, and Melvin Odoom when she enters the jungle next week^[1].

Career Highlights

In terms of her professional endeavors, GK Barry has made her mark in various media formats. She first gained attention by participating in Footasylum’s Locked In online reality series in November 2022. The following year, she appeared on an episode of Love Island: Aftersun, where she discussed the ninth series of the much-loved reality show alongside host Maya Jama^[1].

However, her journey has not been entirely smooth. Grace faced backlash after interviewing OnlyFans star Bonnie Blue, who made controversial claims during their discussion that drew ire from viewers. Grace decided to remove the episode following the backlash, but Bonnie later clarified that the criticism should have been directed at her instead of Grace, emphasizing that Grace's interview style was not intended to be confrontational^[1].

Personal Life

Grace's personal life has also garnered attention. In the summer of 2024, she publicly confirmed her relationship with Ipswich Town footballer Ella Rutherford, following her previous romance with TikTok star Billy Hunt, whom she met through mutual friend and fellow TikToker Joe Baggs. As she prepares for her stint on I’m A Celebrity, Grace expressed that she would miss her girlfriend significantly, stating, 'When you are missing home and all you want is your comfort people, then that will be hard if they are not there.' Despite this, she mentioned that her girlfriend supports her decision to participate in the reality show and is excited for her journey^[1].

Branding and Public Persona

The choice of her username, @gkbarry, is also of interest. Grace initially opted to use a pseudonym to keep her real name from the public eye. The username is a combination of her initials, GK, and the surname of a friend, Tatiana Barry^[1]. This branding decision reflects her intent to build a distinct identity in the saturated realm of social media.

Conclusion

As GK Barry prepares to take on new challenges and experiences in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, her background as a social media influencer, plus her recent career ventures, position her as an intriguing figure in contemporary entertainment. With her significant online following and engaging personality, Grace Keeling is poised to captivate a wider audience and continue her ascent in the industry. Viewers and fans are undoubtedly eager to see how her time in the jungle will unfold and how it will impact her future endeavors in television and social media.