Sarah Hester Ross took the stage at the MGM Grand’s Underground theater, where she embraced her unique brand of humor and music.
“I’m TikTok famous,” she told the audience, setting the tone for the night with a self-deprecating twist: “It’s the worst kind of famous, because it’s the kind of fame no one gives a s- – – about.”
Laughter erupted, connecting her with a crowd familiar with the nuances of social media celebrity.
As the featured guest star in the “Viva Las Lucy and Sarah” cabaret show, Ross partnered with Carisa Hendrix, known for her viral TikTok videos that have attracted over 1.5 million followers.
Ross herself has cultivated a following of 2.5 million, allowing this duo to secure a seven-show limited engagement at the MGM Grand.
Though the turnout for the show was solid, it was not a complete sellout.
However, the energy in the room was palpable, with quick responses to their comedic interplay creating an atmosphere of instant gratification.
Ross kicked off the show with a surprise entrance, mingling through the audience before engaging in playful banter with Hendrix.
She showcased her musical talents at the piano, accepting song requests from audience members and experimentally performing on the fly, including a rendition of “I’m Just a Girl” by No Doubt.
This performance style resembled a dueling piano bar, but without the competitive edge.
Looking ahead, Ross has plans for her next Las Vegas solo performance on Halloween, titled “Sarah’s Strip,” scheduled for Wednesday at The Composers Room in the Commercial Center.
She’ll be joined by a lineup of guest performers including singer-comic actress Maren Wade, stand-up comic Jeaux King, burlesque performer Charlie Quinn Starling, drag queen Jaye Mansfield, horror burlesque specialist Mr. Big Stuart, and magician AnnaRose Einarsen.
Afterward, Ross and Hendrix will reunite for another performance on November 6 at the 1,400-seat theater at Gila River Wild Horse Pass casino in Chandler, Arizona, which has already sold out.
Ross’s journey to Las Vegas began a decade ago when she followed her partner, powerhouse rock singer Andrew Freeman, who was part of the “Raiding the Rock Vault” show.
Freeman, a dynamic vocalist with prior experience touring with The Offspring and fronting Last in Line, has inspired some of Ross’s comedic material, including her joke, “Tape Face is one of my favorite shows on the Strip. I adore a silent man.”
Over the years, Ross has built a successful stage career in Las Vegas, performing at venues like Notoriety Live and the Bar at Times Square in New York-New York.
Given her colorful stage presence and edgy humor, it’s no surprise that her show at The Composers Room has an 18-and-over age restriction.
Ross’s breakout moment came during the pandemic when she began producing entertaining online content, particularly her “Florida Man Friday” series.
These videos featured Ross performing live piano accompaniments while reading bizarre Florida news stories, a nod to her Tampa roots.
She encouraged audience participation by incorporating personal birthdays into the stories, creating a unique blend of humor and immediate audience engagement.
Reflecting on her rise to fame, Ross remarked, “I think that I really can chalk it up to luck that I just grew so fast in the numbers.
Everybody was just focused on their phones because they had nothing else to do … hence my rise to mediocre stardom.”
Last year, Ross expanded her reach with the release of her album “Don’t Mess With a Redhead,” available on major streaming platforms like Apple TV+ and Amazon.
While she continues touring smaller theaters, she remains active in Las Vegas, delivering engaging performances amidst the city’s vibrant entertainment scene.
Ross’s experiences with dueling pianos have equipped her with unique skills, including her ability to improvise amidst the distractions of a lively crowd.
“Dealing with drunk toddlers is probably the hardest thing about dueling pianos,” Ross quipped, revealing the challenges that come with her job.
Her musical journey has led her to master the keytar, a quirky instrument that adds to her theatrical aesthetic.
Though she plans to incorporate it into her future shows, she described it as “tucked away for now,” hinting at her evolving performance style.
Looking to the future, Ross expressed her desire to develop a more expansive production, stating, “I really would like to do the show that I’m doing as a sit-down, with a full band or orchestra.
I want a big room. I want a big show. I want lights, camera, action.”
With her distinctive blend of humor and musical talent, Sarah Hester Ross continues to carve her own space in the entertainment landscape of Las Vegas.
image source from：neon
