Karen from Brighton says Victoria a ‘crime-ridden cesspit’ and ‘nanny state’

It’s been almost five years since she became a social media sensation during Dan Andrews’ heavy-handed lockdown regime but “Karen from Briiiighton” says nothing has improved in the “crime-ridden cesspit” of Victoria.

Jodi Grollo’s infamous alter ego – Karen from Briiighton – may not be as loud these days, but her fury still burns on.

It’s been almost five years since she became an overnight social media sensation courtesy of a five-word catchphrase and her passionate hatred of then premier Daniel Andrews and his heavy-handed lockdown regime.

But the passage of time has done nothing to mellow so-called Karen’s views of her home state, with the 56-year-old labelling Victoria a “crime-ridden cesspit” and a “nanny state”.

Speaking to the Herald Sun, Ms Grollo – the daughter of billionaire pokies king Bruce Mathieson – vividly recalls the moment she became an accidental online celebrity.

Karen from Brighton became famous in Melbourne during Covid.

It was July 2020 – the height of Covid in Melbourne. Wearing her North Face puffer jacket, Ms Grollo was quizzed by a TV reporter as to why she was exercising at the Tan in South Yarra, which was more than 10km from her Brighton residence.

“Well, you get sick of walking the same streets … I’ve done all of Brighton,” she famously quipped.

Less than 24 hours later, a star was born in the form of Kaaaren from Briiighton.

“Karen is me on steroids,” she laughs now.

“She’s just an extreme Briiighton lady, the mother of two lovely boys called Blake and Tristan. But I just live in Broighton.

“Karen’s died a natural death, but if something got up my nose enough, maybe she could return.”

Her feud with Mr Andrews erupted not long after a “personal attack” in which he publicly lectured the Brighton housewife during one of his daily press conferences.

“Stay at home means stay at home,” he said. “And if walking your local streets is boring, well, being bored is much better than being in intensive care.”

Ms Grollo rejoiced when Mr Andrews resigned. But she doesn’t think life here has improved with the change in leader, who she describes as “Dan in a skirt”.

Jodi Grollo (Karen from Brighton) made famous during covid for her walking the streets of Brighton interview on the walking trails near Elwood Beach. Picture: Jason Edwards

“It’s same-same but not very different,” she said of Premier Jacinta Allan’s leadership.

Karen was one of multiple Victorians who went viral as the state was glued to their phones during lockdown and frustration was palpable.

In October 2020, Ms Grollo made headlines after she fled the state for sunny Queensland to visit her elderly parents at their Gold Coast mansion. Seven months later, she was back in bougie Brighton.

“I didn’t actually move (to Queensland),” Ms Grollo admitted. “I told people I was moving there because that’s the only way I could get out of Victoria.”

Jodi Grollo admits she didn’t actually move to Queensland. Picture: Jason Edwards

She does, however, plan to follow in her parents’ footsteps and eventually call the Sunshine State home.

But for now, she’s enjoying her low-key life as a mother and housewife. She loves cleaning, and said her happy place is ironing while in the kitchen.

“I don’t have a cleaner – I know, that’s not very Briiighton of me,” she joked.

“My favourite thing in the world to do is iron. I love ironing. I could iron all day. I iron everything, except my socks and towels.”

And while she still walks all of Brighton, she goes a bit further these days.

“I make it to Balaclava these days,” she says.

Originally published as Karen from Brighton says Victoria a ‘crime-ridden cesspit’ and ‘nanny state’