Hundreds of people began lining up outside the IU Auditorium up to two hours before “A Conversation With Caleb Hearon” took place at 7 p.m. Tuesday. When the doors opened, the crowd flooded inside to get the best seat to watch one of Rolling Stone’s most influential creators of the past year.
Hearon isn’t just famous for internet pursuits like his podcast, “So True with Caleb Hearon.” He is also a comedian, writer and actor, with roles in “Jurassic World: Dominion,” “Pizza Movie” and the upcoming film “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
The conversation with Hearon was part of Granfalloon, the annual arts festival inspired by Indiana author Kurt Vonnegut presented by the IU Arts and Humanities Council.
Bethany Habegger, communications and community outreach coordinator for the council, said they chose Vonnegut’s 1976 novel, “Slapstick,” to encompass this year’s theme.
“We were just really fixated on, kind of, comedians that could speak to that, like, Midwestern charm, but also the Midwestern experience at large,” Habegger said. “And Caleb Hearon was at the top of all of our lists.”
Hearon participated in an hour-long interview-style lecture with Lucy Gray, IU Union Board’s director of lectures. Throughout the talk, Gray asked Hearon questions about his career, his social impact and how he was enjoying Bloomington.
“I ate too much at BuffaLouie’s,” Hearon said near the beginning of the talk, to the applause of the audience.
Hearon and the audience laughed at Gray’s short responses to Hearon’s long-winded rants on subjects like the rise of TikTok comedians and his relationship with his mother. Hearon repeatedly called Gray a “diva” throughout the interview.
While the conversation was filled with Hearon’s self-proclaimed “gay rambling” and jokes, he also gave practical advice for young people and touched on serious issues.
He talked about his own journey with depression as a college student and encouraged everyone to not be afraid to make mistakes in their 20s. Because of the state of the world due to billionaires, he said, people should “have fun.”
Hearon said he couldn’t believe comedians like him and other performers like drag queens are looked up to for their politics. He even made a joking jab at recurring podcast guest and drag queen, Trixie Mattel.
“Not a brain cell under that wig,” Hearon said.
The talk wrapped up with rapid-fire questions from Gray, including inquiries about Hearon’s least favorite color (purple) and his favorite musical artist (Hayley Williams).
Student-led comedy troupes tabled inside the auditorium before the event for “The Funny 501,” a comedy festival happening Friday and Saturday featuring IU’s Full Frontal Comedy.
Members of the troupe, Brenzlee Johnson, Zach Gates and Carson Cannatella, were thrilled to hear that Caleb Hearon was coming to speak at IU.
“We're just here to get the word out. Let everyone know that if you loved Caleb Hearon and you're like, ‘Oh, why don’t we have more comedy at IU?’, like, we are here,” Johnson said.
Hearon started his comedy career much like the members, at a university comedy troupe at his alma mater Missouri State University.
Having grown up in Missouri, Hearon said during the talk, Indiana felt like home, and he loved the Midwest.
“In the good ways and the bad ways,” Hearon said.
