omedian Matt Mathews, whose farm-chores TikTok videos went viral during the COVID-19 pandemic, brings his Boujee on a Budget tour to Bethlehem’s Wind Creek Event Center on Friday.

The show marks Mathews’ first stop in the eastern/northeastern Pennsylvania area. The entertainer first hit the road nationally with 2023’s When That Thang Get Ta Thang’n tour.

“This show and my first tour are so different,” said Mathews, who lives in his birthplace of Birmingham, Alabama, with husband Rob Killgore. “My first show was more raw and about getting to know me as a person. This show is more fun and almost more ‘stand-up.’ ”

The comic’s first special, filmed at Birmingham’s Alabama Theatre, debuted on YouTube in March. In December, the barrel racer will film his next special at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.

Mathews’ other ventures include his boudoir photography studio — he previously left a nursing program to pursue full-time photography — and music. Singer-songwriter Jewel, with whom Mathews became friends via social media, convinced him to pursue the latter.

Back in March, Mathews released the tracks “What a War” and “Joke’s on Me,” with work on a country album underway.

Prior to playing Wind Creek, Mathews — who published a pre-fame memoir in 2019 — took time to discuss his endeavors, including his unexpected turn at comedy.

Q: What inspired you to start posting clips on TikTok?

A: My work as a boudoir photographer was always deleted due to “community guidelines,” so I decided to start sharing other things. My friend filmed my first farm-chore clip, and it went crazy viral, which started the whole “farm chores” saga.

Q: You did not grow up watching comedy. Did the farm videos help steer you in that direction?

A: The farm videos pushed me in that direction. I never had a dream to do comedy. Everyone always told me I should be a comedian, so I reached out to a local writer and started putting together a show. Once I got on stage, it was over.

Q: Aside from Kat Williams, Anjelah Johnson and Mo’Nique, do you enjoy other comedians?

A: Oh, I love Mo’Nique. I don’t watch a ton of comedy because I never want to compare myself to anyone else, but I love them. I really enjoy Richard Pryor, too. I enjoy pushing the limit on comedy and saying things most would shy away from.

Q: When was your first public stand-up performance?

A: I opened for Emma Willmann in 2022 for five minutes. I then opened for Monét X Change for 10 minutes, and then did my own shows and started my first headline tour.

Q: Did the first tour come easy to you?

A: It was the easiest thing I’ve ever done. Touring is grueling, but being on stage was the easiest part.

Q: Have you faced any challenges since starting stand-up? Do you consider any topics off limits?

A: One of the biggest challenges was getting the respect from true comedy fans to accept me as a comedian and not just another TikToker. Once I was able to get straight men to like me and think I was funny, I knew I had done it.

I don’t talk about politics or religion in my comedy. People wanna forget about the (expletive) going on outside, not talk about it more and cause more division.

Q: What interested you in boudoir photography and barrel racing?

A: Boudoir photography was my full-time career for over a decade. I loved working in the studio and photographing clients, but performing was always my true passion. After my first tour, I decided to take a step back from shooting clients and hand the reins over to my associate, Brianna.

Barrel racing is my space to enjoy my horses, to not have to deal with work and be competitive. Horses have always been a huge part of my life, so it fits perfectly.

Q: You grew up listening to country music. Did you have any favorites?

A: Of course. My dad and I always sang “A Country Boy Can Survive” by Hank Williams Jr., so that was always a good one. My mom was always into Martina McBride, so she was big in our house.

Q: Did you write all of the songs on your upcoming album?

A: I wrote the majority of the songs. I co-wrote a few with Stanton Edward and Trent Dabbs. Stanton produced the album and made the process so fun.

Q: With music checked off your list, do you want to accomplish more in the entertainment industry?

A: Always. I like to work and my career is my baby. Doing more TV/film stuff is on the bucket list.