“Too Southern”?! Julia Fowler Would Like a Word
Actress, writer, and proud Southerner Julia Fowler grew her millions-strong fanbase with humor, heart, and a little homesickness. From Broadway to viral fame, she’s made a career out of proving there’s no such thing as being “too Southern.” Image: Matt Kallish
Julia Fowler turned homesickness into a movement. What began as a YouTube video poking fun at quirky Southernisms has grown into a beloved brand spanning books, film, and millions of loyal fans. The Southern Women Channel founder, actor, dancer, and writer celebrates her roots with humor and heart. She’s showing the world that Southern culture, language, and charm never go out of style.
When did you find your performative side?
I was born and raised in the small town of Gaffney, South Carolina. My childhood was filled with Jesus and fried okra, Friday night football and fishing, casseroles and cheese balls, pageants and pom-poms, and clogging. So much clogging. My mom is a clogger and a former beauty queen, so she threw me on stage at a very young age, and I just took to it.
I did countless dance and clogging competitions, child pageants, and talent shows. I was also a regular performer at the local nursing home. Nothing prepares you for the brutal realities of show business quite like performing for senior citizens who sleep soundly through your comedic monologue and energetic clogging routine.
What inspired the Southern Women Channel?
When I started the YouTube channel, I was living in Los Angeles for my career and was super homesick for the South. I had just branched out from acting and tried my hand at screenwriting. I was fortunate to sell my first spec screenplay to a major studio, but after months of development, the studio decided not to make the movie because their marketing department thought it was “too Southern.”
I was in shock. Too Southern? There’s no such thing. I made that first YouTube video simply to prove there’s a big, hungry audience for authentic Southern entertainment. Never in a million years did I think it would go viral. I didn’t even know what “viral” meant at the time. That first video now has more than eight million views.
Here’s Julia’s second episode that, more than a decade later, still rings true.
You’ve said you once tried to lose your Southern accent. What made you reembrace it?
Let me be clear: the only reason I worked so hard to lose my Southern accent was because I majored in theater at the University of South Carolina and was told by every professor that to work, I had to lose it. When I moved to New York City, every industry professional said the same thing.
When I moved to L.A., same story. While I value being able to use a more neutral voice, my biggest career achievements — both as an actor and writer — are a direct result of honoring my authentic Southern voice.
Your videos capture those “only-in-the-South” moments perfectly. Where do you find your material?
Everything I write is based on my experience growing up in the South. Southern culture is oozing with quirky language, characters, and social rules that are all ripe for comedy. Everything I do is a love letter to the South. I’m poking fun at my own culture and the way we Southerners speak and live, but it’s all done from a place of love.
What’s one Southern saying or “rule” that deserves a comeback?
Cursive handwriting and handwritten thank-you notes both deserve a comeback. I’m appalled that young Southerners aren’t taught cursive anymore — or the art of writing thank-you notes. Handwritten notes in gorgeous script with thoughtful messaging are what separate us from animals. And Yankees. But perhaps those are one and the same.
As for sayings, my Granny always said, “I swannee,” which is conservative, religious slang for “I swear.” Nobody should be swearing against the Lord, so “I swannee” is a very useful solution.
What’s something people are surprised to learn about you?
I can do the worm. You know, the ’80s dance move? I’m pretty dadgum good at it.
You’ve worked on both coasts. What could Hollywood learn from the South, and vice versa?
In both my books, Talk Southern to Me and Embrace Your Southern, Sugar, I share the culture shock I experienced as a Southerner living in New York and L.A. Ultimately, I think Hollywood could learn from our philosophy of “Pretty is as pretty does.” Southerners love to get dolled up — we’ll get red-carpet ready just to go to the grocery store — but we know true beauty and charm come from kindness and community.
There’s no plastic surgery for charm. What Southerners could learn from Hollywood? Exercise is the best medicine. Unfortunately, better than biscuits.
The Southern Women Channel has such loyal followers. What’s the most heartwarming message you’ve received from a fan?
SWC fans are the funniest and most loyal, and I’m incredibly grateful for them. They keep me and the other actors going. My heart is most warmed by folks who tell me the videos bring them joy while they deal with medical issues or care for sick relatives. I’ve had many tell me they watch while receiving chemo treatments.
Humor is healing. It’s humbling and rewarding to know my silly little videos have helped ease someone’s soul during a crisis. Makes all the effort worth it.
If you could collaborate with any Southern icon, who would it be?
That’s impossible to narrow down, but I’ll try: Dolly Parton, Leanne Morgan, and Taylor Sheridan. Dolly and I met previously on a project that didn’t work out, but she was the most inspiring, encouraging human. I continue to pray our paths cross again.
I’m also a huge Leanne Morgan fan and nearly landed a job as a writer on her Netflix sitcom. I’d welcome any opportunity to work — or eat casseroles — with her. She’s a true Southern delight. And Taylor Sheridan. What a genius. I admire his commitment to serving his audience exactly as he sees fit. I’d love to sip bourbon with him and swap Hollywood war stories.
You’ve worn many hats. What part of your creative career feels most “you” right now?
What fills my creative cup the most is narrative Southern storytelling. I was in hog heaven performing on Broadway in Annie Get Your Gun and later writing on the Netflix comedy Country Comfort. I love entertaining audiences with stories about Southern characters and culture.
I’m currently focused on securing financing for two Southern screenplays that are very dear to my heart. The YouTube videos are more of a hobby … bite-sized humor that celebrates the South and spreads joy.
Besides faith, family, and friends, name three things you can’t live without.
My darling husband, my collection of Yeti cups, and lipstick. I require a lot of lipstick.
What’s on the horizon?
Personally, I’m just grateful to be living back in the sweet embrace of South Carolina and enjoying all of its splendor and various Walmart locations. Professionally, I’m noodling on some new video ideas but have been mostly busy with a feature film I wrote and directed in association with the South Carolina Film Commission and Clemson University’s World Cinema Program.
It’s a Southern comedy, of course, and I’m in the editing process now. The film was crewed by Clemson students who were led by industry professionals, with a cast of students and pros. I’m as excited as a skeeter in a blood bank — and as nervous as a cat in a room full of rockin’ chairs — about its February 2026 premiere.
This article contains product affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.
**********
To read about more inspiring FACES of the South, visit our archives HERE!
Zoe Yarborough
Zoe is a StyleBlueprint staff writer, Charlotte native, Washington & Lee graduate, and Nashville transplant of eleven years. She teaches Pilates, helps manage recording artists, and likes to "research" Germantown's food scene.