Comedian Arj Barker's Controversial Stand: Embracing Motherhood on Stage

American comedian Arj Barker found himself in an awkward situation during a show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in Australia on Saturday night. What should a comedian do when a baby cradled in its mother’s arms starts making noises in the middle of a set?

During his comedy show, the comedian asked a mother and her 7-month-old baby to leave, causing some audience members to support the mother by leaving as well. Others reportedly heckled her on her way out. This incident ignited a heated discussion in Australia about the balance between a mother's right to bring her baby anywhere and an entertainer's right to perform without interruptions from infants, who some believe should stay at home.

Barker has stood by his choice to ask Trish Faranda and her baby, Clara, to leave the event, as the minimum age specified was 15 for attendees.

During an interview with Melbourne radio station 3AW on Monday, Barker mentioned that it was a tough decision to remove the baby. However, he emphasized that he did it to ensure that the show ran smoothly and that the audience got to fully enjoy what they had paid for.

“I can understand that it was difficult and embarrassing for her, and I do feel bad about that,” Barker said.

Show interrupted

The comedian from California, who is well-known on the international comedy scene, was doing a show at the Athenaeum Theater in front of a large audience when a baby started making noise. He mentioned to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that the interruption affected his performance.

He mentioned to the national broadcaster that he politely asked the mother of the baby to leave as there were 700 other people who had paid to see the show.

Barker explained that he was unable to see if the mother was breastfeeding because of the bright lights in the theater. He also mentioned that his decision was not influenced by anything other than noise, dismissing any criticism related to other factors.

"I want to clarify that I have no issues with babies. Firstly, the issue of breastfeeding should not be a concern, as it was not something I could see clearly from the well-lit stage," he stated in an interview with CNN affiliate Nine News.

I only saw a woman holding a baby, but breastfeeding was not involved. If it was the father, I would have reacted the same way because the baby was making noise.

It was just a sound problem, not related to her being a mother. I have no issue with mothers.

‘Humiliated’

Faranda told multiple local media outlets that she initially thought it was just a joke when Barker asked her and her infant daughter to leave his show.

Faranda shared with Seven News that during Barker's performance, he suddenly paused and asked, "Is there a baby in the audience?" She continued, "He then claimed, 'I understand baby language and the baby is telling me to take it outside.'" Faranda chuckled at his comment, unsure if he was joking or being genuine.

Faranda shared that her baby was not crying loudly, so she decided to breastfeed her in an attempt to soothe her. At the same time, she was getting ready to leave her seat in the fourth row of the theater.

She explained to Seven News that her intention was never to ruin anyone's evening or cause a disturbance. She simply wanted to avoid disrupting others or causing a scene.

"He was really scary, standing right in front of me," she shared with 3AW. Another witness mentioned to Nine News that some people in the crowd were rude to the mother and told her to go away.

Faranda explained that she went to the event with her friends, and a group of about twelve others - all women who were mothers or grandmothers, along with one kind man - left together in support of her.

Feeling lost after becoming a parent

People felt sorry for the mom who said she was simply trying to enjoy a night out, but some believed it was common courtesy for audience members to not disturb performers, no matter how young they are.

Faranda mentioned on 3AW that she would not attend another one of Barker's gigs. She expressed how she used to enjoy his shows before having children but felt disconnected from that part of her life now that she is a parent.

Australian politician Ellen Sandell was furious when she learned about the incident.

A no-kids-allowed sign on the door of a cafe in Seoul, South Korea on May 16, 2023.

A no-kids-allowed sign on the door of a cafe in Seoul, South Korea on May 16, 2023.

Woohae Cho/The New York Times/Redux

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"It's already tough for new moms to be a part of society with so many obstacles in their way. Being embarrassed like this, simply for trying to have a good time at the comedy festival, is just terrible," she expressed on X.

To those criticizing the decision to bring the baby out, Sandell emphasized that women should be able to breastfeed in public and participate in society.

She also addressed men who may not understand the challenges of breastfeeding, explaining that babies need to be constantly attached to their mothers and cannot be separated for long periods. By restricting breastfeeding in public places, it sends a message that women and mothers are not welcome in those spaces.

One person joined the discussion on X, expressing their opinion as a mother and grandmother. They stated that it is arrogant to believe that your right to bring a noisy child to a show is more important than the rights of other paying audience members.

Barker took to Facebook to thank those who supported his decision. Many people commented on the post, agreeing that the mother had behaved entitled.

One of his supporters on Facebook expressed full support, clarifying that the controversy had nothing to do with breastfeeding but was about a comedy act for adults. They emphasized that it was not a Wiggles concert and questioned the judgment of the person involved.

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival, where Barker was performing, highlighted the importance of sensitivity and respect in interactions between performers and their audiences.

Babies in arms are welcome at our Festival managed venues. We kindly request that parents sit towards the back with their child. This way, they can easily exit if the baby becomes noisy, ensuring minimal disruption to the artist and other guests.

Editor's P/S:

The incident involving comedian Arj Barker and a mother with her 7-month-old baby has sparked a heated debate about the balance between mothers' rights and entertainers' rights. While some argue that mothers should be able to bring their babies anywhere, others believe that infants should stay at home during performances to avoid disruptions. The incident highlights the societal pressure faced by mothers, who are often made to feel unwelcome in public spaces or judged for breastfeeding.

Barker's decision to ask the mother and baby to leave has been met with mixed reactions. Some have criticized him for being insensitive, while others have supported his right to perform without interruptions. The incident has also brought attention to the challenges faced by parents, particularly mothers, who often struggle to balance their social lives with caring for their children. The discussion surrounding this incident underscores the need for greater understanding and accommodation for both performers and parents, ensuring that all individuals feel included and respected in public spaces.