Being Ina – Canadian Comic Tom Hearn Scores with 'Barefoot Contessa' Impersonation

Like Drew Droege before him, Canadian comic Tom Hearn is becoming an internet sensation with a unique celebrity impersonation. Droege's fame grew with his hilarious takes on actress and fashionista Chloe Sevigny. Hearn has hit the mark with Ina Garten, better known as The Barefoot Contessa.

Her best-selling cookbooks and highly-rated Food Network show have made Garten the Julia Child of the 21st century. After her retail success with her "Barefoot Contessa" store in the Hamptons in the 1980s and 1990s, Garten turned to writing cookbooks. That led her to making appearances with Martha Stewart and her own show in 2002. Since then, Garten has won some six Emmy Awards.

For his part, Hearn has also won numerous awards as a sketch comedian, actor, writer, and director. He has toured their five-star reviewed solo show "SLANG" & "Gay Garbage '' throughout North America, winning multiple 'Best of the Fest' and 'Hot Ticket' awards. Tom has amassed over 400k followers between TikTok and Instagram. His hit 'Ina Garten Series' has over 100 million views and 7 million likes.

EDGE spoke with Hearn recently about all things Ina, as well as his latest drag persona, Hunni Krüller, and how he came up with his comedy show "Gay Garbage."

EDGE: Tell us a little about yourself?

Tom Hearn: I am an actor and comedian, and I live in Toronto. I've been a working as a comedian and actor for the last eight years. I started doing Ina Garden videos during the pandemic, and to my surprise it was something that just blew up.

EDGE: Why Ina?

Tom Hearn: I've always loved Ina. I've loved her show. I've watched her show with my partner for years, and I've always done a slight Ina impression. I would always think about making something out of it, but I didn't think anybody would care. One night, while we were at home making a roast chicken, I decided to make a video. I didn't have the costume, but I did have a short brown wig, and I was wearing what I call my audition shirt, a blue jean shirt. My partner recorded me as I took the chicken out of the oven and said, "My husband Jeffrey's coming home. How fabulous is that?" I posted it, and when I woke up the next morning and it close to a million views. I want everyone to know that I love Ina. I am in no way making fun of her. I love both her and Jeffrey. It's all in good fun.

EDGE: You nail her mannerism. How much practice goes into making a video?

Tom Hearn: My clips like tend to be, like, between 15 and 20 seconds long. Writing, preparing, and practicing usually take about an hour. I have so many outtakes of me just laughing, because when I lock into those little mannerisms that she has, it's funny to me; I think that's why I keep doing [it]. It is really important to be able to hook on to that one mannerism that I can nail. Saying Jeffrey's name gets the voice for me.

EDGE: Tell us about the wig.

Tom Hearn: Unfortunately, both the shirt and wig are Amazon finds. I searched big blue button-up shirt and brown bob wig. I hate to encourage Amazon purchases, but they showed up the next day, and the rest is history.

EDGE: Does Ina know about you?

Tom Hearn: I've heard through the grapevine that she does. People have gone up to her on the street and asked her about me, and she has given a cheeky smile and kind of rolled her eyes. So, yeah, I think she does.

EDGE: If you were going to have dinner with Ina, what would you prepare for her?

Tom Hearn: Oh, my goodness, that's an amazing question. I think I would make her chicken parmesan. It's a classic dish, and one of my favorite things to eat. You can't go wrong with it.

EDGE: Ina is throwing you a dinner party - who is she inviting?

Tom Hearn: T. R. will have to be there. I love T.R. He has actually reached out to me because I talk about him in my videos. He thinks they are amazing. I hope some of her famous friends would be there and her gaggle of gays. All the boys from the Hamptons would be there. Of course, I want Jeffrey there. Since she is friends with Nathan Lane, I'd want Nathan Lane to come to the party as well. How fabulous is that?

EDGE: You also have a drag persona. Tell us about Hunni Krüller?

Tom Hearn: Hunni Krüller - I love her so much. Drag is relatively new for me. It's something that I recently discovered, but something I've always been extremely passionate about. It's an art that I have so much respect for. After being locked at home for a year and a half, I had a lot of creative energy and I needed to put it somewhere, so I started doing drag. I've taken all the things that I love and worked on as a comedian/actor for the last eight years and I've put that into this persona. I think of her as an extension of me, versus being separate from who I am. I love drag and I respect it so much, and every time I get to perform in drag it is such an amazing feeling.

EDGE: Tell us about your solo sketch show "Gay Garbage."

Tom Hearn: "Gay Garbage" is a show that I've been performing for the last year and a half. I am actually in the process of writing a new solo show. "Gay Garbage" was born from a woman coming up to me after a I did a sketch show and said, "I liked when you were on that stage because you didn't do all that gay garbage." I didn't even say anything back to her, because my jaw was on the floor. So, out of that comment [came] my show. "Gay Garbage" is fun, over the top, cheeky, and sassy. There are some musical performances in it. I always feature a local drag performer in that show. It has everything. It's really an ode to my queerness.

EDGE: Any plans for a U.S. show?

Tom Hearn: Yes! I plan to be in New York City in May. I don't think people realize how complicated it is for a Canadian citizen to come to the States and work. It seems like it's something that can be simply done. It's my number one priority for 2023.

For more information about Tom, visit www.isthattomhearn.com

Watch Tom Hearn as Ina Garten: