Charli XCX is officially in her acting era—and it’s just as chaotic and fabulous as you’d expect. In a standout cameo for Benito Skinner’s new comedy series ‘Overcompensating‘, the pop provocateur steals the show in a scene that satirizes college concerts and Gen Z debauchery, and fans are living for every second.
In a recent interview with Gayety, comedian Benito Skinner and co-star Wally Baram opened up about the behind-the-scenes hijinks of their new project, what it was like keeping straight faces during absurd scenes, and, of course, how Charli XCX became a surprise highlight of the series.
Charli XCX: Chaos Queen of Campus Concerts
Skinner, known for his razor-sharp humor and viral online personas (like his fan-favorite character Kooper the Gen Z intern), explained how the idea for Charli’s cameo came to life during the writer’s room process.
“We were in the writer’s room, and I know when we got to that episode, it was so obvious that she of course was going to do the college concert,” Skinner said. “But I think it was about trying to find a game for her.”
He recalled being inspired by his own experiences performing at universities and the universal chaos that often surrounds campus events.
“I had done stand-up at colleges, and I was just thinking… musicians are up there performing their life’s work in front of college kids that are throwing up and making out and fingering each other,” Skinner said, laughing. “I wanted a little bit of a cathartic moment for her—and maybe for musicians watching—to be like, ‘Yeah, that is kind of a nightmare to have to do that.’”
Skinner added, “She channeled that rage quickly and perfectly, and she was so down and so game. We were so lucky to have her. Oh, my God.”
From “Boom Clap” to Bedlam
Charli’s scene—shot to look like a typical campus concert gone off the rails—manages to feel both hilarious and authentic. For queer audiences and longtime Charli fans, the appearance is not just comedic; it’s iconic. She leans into her status as a cult favorite among LGBTQ+ fans, delivering both humor and attitude in a way only she can.
The “Seriously Unserious” Comedy Behind the Scenes
The series itself is a comedy playground, with Skinner and Baram navigating scenes full of improvisation, absurdity, and plenty of queer-coded chaos. “Deeply, seriously unserious,” Baram said when asked about trying not to break character during filming. “Doing scenes across from Holmes was so difficult. It felt like you had some sort of onion in the eye because you were constantly trying to blink back emotion.”
Skinner added that filming scenes with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang nearly broke him. “I had to think of the worst things that have ever happened to me in order to not laugh while they’re doing this back and forth,” he said. “Literally, every line I was like, ‘Oh, my God, I can’t.’”
Despite the chaos, Skinner said there was intention behind every scene. Especially when it came to portraying a closeted character. “I said to the director, Daniel Longino, and to Desiree [executive producer], ‘At any point you are allowed to be like, Benny, put on a show a little bit more,’” Skinner explained. “It’s hard. It’s hard to be in the closet. Let me tell you.”
A Star-Studded, Queer-Forward Comedy
The series is filled with surprise appearances and a cast that is both hilariously talented and deeply relatable. Skinner and Baram’s on-screen chemistry, combined with appearances from LGBTQ+ faves like Yang and Rogers, makes the show feel like a celebration of queer joy and the absurdity of modern life.
But it’s Charli XCX who stands out for bringing unexpected emotional depth—and that unmistakable chaotic pop energy. Her willingness to poke fun at the very culture she dominates is what makes her cameo such a perfect fit for the series’ tone.
Whether you’ve seen her at a real college concert or just streamed her heartbreak bangers while crying on the floor, Charli’s moment here feels like a gift to her fans—and a wink to every queer person who’s ever found euphoria in the chaos.
Watch the Series Now
Benito Skinner’s new series ‘Overcompensating’ is streaming now on Prime Video, and Charli XCX’s unforgettable cameo is already generating buzz across social platforms. Whether you’re in it for the laughs, the satire, or the pop royalty, this is a comedy that knows its audience—and serves it well.
