Mary Coustas aka Effie isn’t afraid to laugh at the taboo
She grew up being called a ‘wog’ and knows the hurts racism can cause. But Mary Coustas, best known by her alter ego Effie, says comedians need to stop worrying about being politically correct on stage.
Confidential
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She’s been making audiences laugh for more than two decades and actor and comedian Mary Coustas — best known as Effie — says comedians need to stop worrying about being politically correct.
“I don’t even think about political correctness. You don’t go into the arts to tip-toe. I’m happy to change my position over time but I have no interest in being neutral on anything,” she told Sydney Confidential.
“I’m all for free speech and pushing it a little bit in the most heartfelt way.
“I got called a ‘wog’ for a long time growing up and it was certainly around racism in the beginning, so I have no interest in repeating that, but my job is twofold — I have to be an entertainer and a social commentator.”
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Coustas’s new show Love Me Tinder — which will be touring NSW this month — tackles the issue of finding love in the age of swiping apps.
“For me, my fascination is endless with humans and psychology. I studied psychology at uni and I want to get to understand what makes us tick. (Love Me Tinder) is the most relevant show I’ve done.”
The happily married mum-of-one said that she drew inspiration from people around her and their struggles to find lasting relationships in the modern age of Tinder.
“I did a lot of research on Tinder. It was pretty daunting. You sell your best self, and learn how to solicit more responses and what to say,” Coustas said.
She said the secret to tackling risky topics was to do it with the right intentions.
“I never get backlash. What people gauge more than anything is intention.
“If the words are uttered by someone (else) they may be considered politically incorrect but I bring a lot of my heart and my love of people to the work. It’s never done in a harsh way,” she said.