Jo Webber: Star of Candy Bar Girls tells her side of the story, answers our questions and wonders if there should be more sex in Season 2

by Petit Fours, Fairy Cake

Jo Webber stars in Candy Bar Girls – Channel 5′s reality show about London lesbians. In this post the long-time TMC contributor tells us why she did it and what it was really like. Candy Bar Girls is a TV show we at TMC have a love/hate relationship with, but let it be said that we watch it faithfully and talk about it all the time. So if you’re interested in the story behind the screen, read on. We also pushed Jo to answer some thornier questions – see her responses at the end. 

Jo Webber & Candy Bar Girls – in her own words

The bulk of my local friends thought I was absolutely mad when I let them know (virtually) I’d signed up for the show. You see, I was travelling across the U.S, Canada and Mexico at the time. It was a very transitory period for me. Whilst on the road I was wholly single, seeing how far the accent could get me. It got me far, bringing a whole host of liaisons for the memoirs and also that tantalising call from old university friend, Jess Gomez-Mckeever who audition Skyped me from the Manhattan loft I was staying in at the back end of last year.

With phase one completed I headed off to Paris mid January with a girl from LA, however as that dissolved into an amicable friendship, it was Alisha who stole my heart, igniting our relationship through a series of online exchanges culminating in our first date at the Kube Hotel near Montmartre. I accidentally neglected to tell her about my role in the show, which kicked off as I boarded the plane destined for Luton airport awaiting my welcoming parents and camera crew. She took the news well, as we started our love affair pretty much on the silver screen. The next two months were all rather surreal to be honest. It’s important to note here that a massive amount was cut here, as expected.

Some of the scenes which I won’t shed a tear about include the stressful job search, house hunting and a a very poignant scene where I couldn’t actually afford a beautiful outfit my friend (personal shopper) Federica picked out on Brick Lane. Scenes that I wish made the final edit included the strong friendship I have with Leng, a dear compadre who is transitioning from FTM. Other scenes cut include a psychic reading with the incredible Michele Knight (micheleknight.co.uk) and extended radio coverage of the Joel Kafetz show, which included Alisha eating chopped liver live on air.

The filming itself was pretty intensive, thankfully I wasn’t working full-time at that stage or it would have been nearly impossible to devote the 20-25 hours a week I was putting in. I was pretty happy with the final edit. I mean, sure, there were a few blemishes I’d loved to have been miraculously photoshopped, but overall the majority of friends and family said I’ve done a decent job.

Due to time-constraints, I’ve been portrayed to be the quintessential family/relationship girl which is, for any one who has known me longer than seven months, only one string to my bow but at the same time, it was all genuine and I do love my mum and Alisha very much! I think the other girls did a great job, they were all honest and open in depicting their lives and contrary to public opinion, there was no scripting in my bits. I am genuinely that goofy and able to say ‘fundamentally’ 152 times in any given conversation.

Whilst I would never insult any of the girls or the production team associated with the show, I will say that the PR agency (name withheld) were absolutely shocking! For me, the whole point of the show was to promote the whole concept of the gay women to a broader audience beyond niche, gay press/sites we’re accustomed to. What I asked them, what’s your digital strategy, they said ‘what digital strategy’ and ignored a whole list of gay and straight sites and forums which would have been receptive to the press release. I’m not convinced that the straight press we did receive was particularly ground-breaking or helpful in breaking down these ‘cliches’, the very buzzword of the marketing campaigns.

In that respect, I was disappointed as I think they missed a huge opportunity to boost audience figures, and to push a message, beyond the walled garden of UK-based LGBTQ viewers.

However, the burning question now is the question of season 2? What truly works on a docu-drama like Candy Bar Girls? Keeping my opinions to myself, some of the initial questions which need to be addressed include: should there be a broader age/ethnic contributor mix? How should the promo trailers/overall marketing strategy be modified for the second season? Or did it do a good job? Should there be a spin off series on another channel? Would a dash more sex (see The Real L Word) send ratings through the roof? What do you think TMC brethren…?

TMC asks Jo some questions

1) How difficult it was to be real in front of the camera – were you able to repeat scenes? How much did you have to augment your reality, or did you literally just get on with your life in front of them? What about the other members?

Well, it was really tricky to be real in front of the cameras when I’d just landed from Paris. Those opening scenes at my family house were really hard, as I’d anticipated staying overseas for longer. I think I came across as a little ungrateful for my parents’ amazing hospitality. Actually, they were wonderful while I was travelling and I was very happy to see them, just not necessarily being back at the family house full-time as I’ve lived with friends since 2003. As the show continued, I did grow into my own skin and felt particularly comfortable with producer Helen Orton. I am a total goofball, I think this came across for the most part. I can’t really speak for other characters, but the production team allowed us to be free and open. Yes, there were storylines they wanted but I wasn’t going to go down the ‘drama for the sake of it’ route.

2) You had only just got with your girlfriend when the show started – how easy was it to grow your relationship under the cameras? did it cause tension?

> I know, it was totally mental! At first, I said to her ‘I really can’t have a gf until shooting finishes in March’ which in hindsight was ridiculous as our affection for each other grew both on and off the cameras. Isn’t it funny how something special enters your life when you least expect it! I can’t imagine many women as easy going and liberal minded as Alisha. She was fantastic about being on camera, with a healthy dose of reservation naturally. It didn’t cause tension as such, but we did get a bit fed up when continually being asked ‘are you in love yet, are you in love yet?’ on week three. Yes we have uttered those three words, but later down the line. But overall, she was a legend and fantastic to accept my willingness to be so open.

3) WHY did you choose to do it? like you say, many of your friends thought you were mad. Has it helped you career-wise? What did you expect to gain from it, and did you gain from it?

> So, I’ve been asked this question quite often and actually, my reasons have changed quite considerably. When I had that initial Skype interview last Nov, I was footloose and fancy free in Manhattan. I knew that unless I secured employment in the U.S I’d be back to London to begin that arduous process of job and house hunting. Plus, I thought I’d be single. These factors somewhat contributed to my decision to be on the show. I’m always a very busy, frantic kinda person, so the thought having the show when I returned was comforting. I’d be challenging myself, and perhaps meet the woman of my dreams. If only I’d have known!

However, now I look back on the show and have a pretty different ethos. Although quite a large chunk of what I’m most passionate was chopped, I took part to give an overview of my diverse, social circle and how we all interact. A part of this was having my amazing friends on the show, like transitioning Leng, to pave the way for issues that aren’t really touched upon on these kinda shows. Plus, I wanted to talk about digital media and how it can be used to empower LGBTQ communities. In that respect, it wasn’t job done as those aspects were cut. However, I’ve had some really touching feedback from girls up and down the country, plus overseas, talking about the impact the show has made on their lives, especially the scenes with my mum. I don’t necessarily want to be a ‘role model’ per se, but I’d like to get more involved in mentoring teens and generally talking about gay issues beyond a bulging metropolis such as London, where it’s easier to be out and proud than in more remote areas.

As yet, I haven’t gained anything (if you mean financially), but emotionally, I certainly have. I’m hoping to encounter opportunities to touch lives in some way. That’s what matters to me most, as cheesy as that sounds.

4) Do you think there was a reason they chose not to feature Leng in the show – frankly I think that would have been far more interesting…. do you think that in order to keep running, the show needed attractive, non-controversial dykes to make the show palatable for its audience?

> Hmmm, great question. Do I think there should have been a wider age range with a more diverse cast? Yes, definitely. But I don’t want to discredit any of the girls in the show, who all contributed substantial time and energy to making the show what it was. I think the show made significant inroads in tackling lesbian life in the capital, but there’s so much more to be discussed. This represents a massive opportunity for producers and writers across the country to come up with a concept even better, bring it on!

Got any other questions? Ideas for Series 2? Let us know…