Australia's Next Top Model judge Charlotte Dawson quits the fame game
FORMER model Charlotte Dawson faces up to life after the relentless media spotlight, writes Colin Vickery.
FORMER model Charlotte Dawson faces up to life after the relentless media spotlight, writes Colin Vickery.
Charlotte Dawson likes to talk tough. She tells it like it is - outspoken, in your face, and controversial.
As a judge on Australia's Next Top Model, Dawson can be ruthless in her assessment of the contestants.
All that bluster hides a vulnerable side to the New Zealand-born former model.
Dawson, 47, has battled depression for the past 12 years and was admitted to St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney last year after attempting to commit suicide.
Recently, Dawson has hit the headlines for dating 23-year-old real estate agent Tyrone Corban.
Life in the spotlight has taken its toll. Dawson has had enough.
She will cut back on her media commitments and move into a new real estate and philanthropic venture.
"It is a new business that is starting up - I'm just going through the motions with the lawyers," Dawson explains.
"It will involve setting up a (charitable) foundation plus also going into marketing and public relations. It will get me completely away from the media and the drama that goes with it. It's about time I think."
Dawson's life has been a roller-coaster - born to a single mum in rural New Zealand, adopted, dropped out of school, worked as a secretary, and headed overseas to model.
After modelling, Dawson had fashion posts at magazines and moved to television.
"I started modelling when I was 17 and I was a very average model," Dawson says. "I made enough money to pay the rent and travel the world, which was wonderful - great opportunities."
Her relationship with Corban is a sign that life is on the up.
"I've known Tyrone for many years because he used to date a good friend of mine.
"I'm not the model of what is indoctrinated into us as children - go to school, go to university, get married, have a couple of kids, pay off the mortgage, and be happy or miserable for the rest of your life. I did give 'normal' a go. "Now, I live in the moment. Every day that I have, whether I'm with someone who is 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 or 70, if I'm happy with them I wake up, look them in the eye and say, 'I'm happy today, what more can I ask for?'
"I have suffered through 12 years of depression and gone through an awful lot of therapy and healings. I would have been able to buy a house with the money I've spent trying to fix it and learn about it. You have to be incredibly tough.
"I follow a really good diet. I am on antidepressant, medication, which I've been on for many years. I train pretty much every day. I have great friends who love and care for me.
"I'm moving on to the next phase of my life."
AUSTRALIA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, FOX 8, TUESDAY, 7.30pm