2019: Australian scandals that rocked the celebrity world
Some celebrities just can’t help courting controversy and 2019 provided exceptional examples. It was a year that saw ongoing fallout from a rumoured feud between Erin Molan and Joey Johns, the sudden break-up of Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus, and continual headlines for Kyle Sandilands.
Confidential
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Erin Molan / Joey Johns
NRL immortal Andrew Johns’ long running feud with host Erin Molan reached a climax in September, with the details of the fractured relationship coming to light. It was revealed that the feud began in 2017 when Molan replaced The Footy Show mainstay Paul “Fatty” Vautin, which Johns soon disappeared from. Channel 9 had also advertised that Johns would be an integral part of the sideline commentary during the season, but it seemed too close to Molan for Johns and he again disappeared.
Neither involved directly confirmed the butting of heads but according to those close to the matter it is well known in NRL and TV circles. There still has not been any reconciliation.
Lara Worthington Nude Photo Scandal
For the second time in her life, model Lara Worthington nee Bingle had her nude photos leaked online. The 32-year-old mum of two, with a third on the way, had 150 images leaked that appeared to have been taken by either her or someone known to her.
The photos included bikini snaps, topless photos, photos of her in the shower, photos of her and husband Sam Worthington in bed and full frontal naked shots. It was an unfortunate de ja vu of an incident in 2010 when Worthington had naked shots of her in the shower leaked that were taken by her then-boyfriend AFL player Brendan Fevola.
Taylor Swift pulling out of Melbourne Cup
Racing Victoria securing Taylor Swift for the Melbourne Cup seemed to be a glorious coup, but the plans well and truly fell over before the finish line when the megastar backed out just a week after being announced.
The global megastar, who was this month awarded Artist of the Decade, received huge backlash from her fans and animal rights activists who accused her of putting money before morality. Well, Swift listened to her army and pulled out a week later, citing scheduling changes.
Kerri-Anne Kennerley v Yumi Stynes
Having been at the centre of several controversies throughout the year, Kerri-Anne Kennerley didn’t hold back in sharing her opinions on breakfast TV show, Studio 10. The biggest example was Kennerley’s blow up with Yumi Stynes, who labelled the veteran television host racist when she made controversial sweeping statements about indigenous women and children in “the outback” during a discussion on Invasion Day protests.
With a camera crew following her, Kennerley, 66, 10 weeks later travelled to Alice Springs to meet with community members.
George Calombaris underpaying staff
To say it wasn’t a great year professionally for celebrity chef George Calombaris is an understatement. Melbourne-based restaurateur Calombaris found himself at the centre of a massive scandal when it was found he underpaid staff $7.83 million in wages. His company, MAdE subsequently paid back the wages and was forced to make a $200,000 contrition payment under a court enforceable undertaking made with the Fair Work Ombudsman. Interestingly, MasterChef broadcaster Channel 10 stood by Calombaris at the time, saying: “George has the support of Network 10”.
On the publicity defence, Calombaris took part in a widely criticised ABC TV interview in which he apologised and said he hoped to be a “voice for change” in the industry. Not long later though, Ten announced Calombaris and fellow MasterChef judges Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan would not be returning to the reality show that made them household names.
Kyle Sandilands’ girlfriends
After a long run of speculation, Kyle Sandilands in November finally confirmed what the industry had been talking about for some time. The radio shock jock and girlfriend of eight years Imogen Anthony had called it quits.
The drama wasn’t over there though as it wasn’t long before Confidential revealed Sandilands had been dating former assistant turned King Kyle communications director Tegan Kynaston. Weeks later though, police were called when Sandilands and Kynaston were caught up in an early morning domestic dispute in Bondi when she allegedly broke the door on his Bentley car. Kynaston allegedly assaulted a female police officer at the scene and was taken to hospital for a psych evaluation. In his business too, Sandilands experienced some major changes with news he and long-time manager Andrew Hawkins had parted ways.
Today’s musical chairs
Has the revolving Today show door finally spun its final round or will the drama continue in 2020. Having started the year as the beleaguered breakfast shows first female double header, Deb Knight and Georgie Gardner were shown the door as Nine moved to stop the haemorrhaging of viewer numbers by bringing Karl Stefanovic back into the fold.
Stefanovic will be back on air co-hosting alongside Allison Langdon from next month. Steve Jacobs, Tom Steinfort and Tony Jones also didn’t survive the year with new faces Tracey Vo, Tim Davies and Alex Cullen brought into the fold. Time will tell if the revolving door will continue in 2020.
Virgin Mary Scandal
Controversial KIIS FM host Kyle Sandilands ruffled feathers in September when he upset Christians and Muslims after mocking Virgin Mary. “I thought Mary was his (Jesus Christ’s) girlfriend but apparently it was the mother. And the mother lied obviously and told everyone, ‘Nah I got pregnant by a magical ghost’. Bulls***,” Sandilands said. “Someone chock-a-blocked her behind the camel shed … You might believe everything that’s written down 2000 years ago to be absolutely accurate and good on you, you’re dumb. Dumb as dog s***.” His comments prompted protests and calls for his sacking, with at least one advertiser pulling the plug. Sandilands was later forced to apologise on-air.
Qantas cops celebs flack
Qantas was mired in controversy after airline staff clashed with celebrities including The Veronicas’ Jess and Lisa Origliasso, and in a separate incident – Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am. In September, the pint-sized twin sisters were escorted off a flight by Sydney police after a stoush with a flight attendant over cabin luggage.
Two months later, will.i.an was embroiled in his own dispute with the airline after a mid-air disagreement and he accused staff of racism. The Veronicas claimed the same flight attendant from their dispute fought with will.i.am, however Qantas dismissed the claims as “utterly untrue” and urged will.i.am to retract his racism claims.
Miley and Liam break-up
After 10 years together and less than one year of marriage, Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth announced their split in August. In a shocking twist, Cyrus was pictured passionately kissing Brody Jenner’s estranged wife Kaitlynn Carter days before Hemsworth’s split announcement.
By October, Cyrus had moved on again — this time to singer Cody Simpson and the pair are still going strong.
Edwina Bartholomew v Seb Costello
Sunrise reporter Edwina Bartholomew came under fire in September after accidentally tweeting her candid thoughts about Channel 9 reporter Seb Costello. She responded to a tweet by Nine News Melbourne, which featured Costello reporting outside the Victorian state parliament following a security scare.
Bartholomew replied with: “Surprisingly articulate for a (blank).” She later apologised on Twitter, writing: “On 14/9 I made a statement on Twitter about @sebcostello9. While I won’t repeat it, what I said about him was false, hurtful and completely inappropriate. I unreservedly apologise to Seb and his family for the hurt and offence my words caused.”
Sarah Budge gun scandal
Her name and expensive designer outfits consumed the media for months this year as she fronted a very public court battle for gun possession. Model Sarah Budge’s name first hit the headlines in May after it was revealed she was facing three charges: possessing an unauthorised pistol, possessing a prohibited weapon and possessing a defaced firearm and what followed was weeks of intel about her relationship with Kings Cross identity, John Ibrahim.
It all ended well for Budge with the 30-year-old being acquitted of stowing a loaded gun in her Double Bay apartment in September. Budge is believed to be giving modelling a rest for a while and will focus on running her Potts Point venue, Crane Bar.
MasterChef judges move on
They fronted the country’s most popular food reality TV show together for 11 seasons; however Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris’ gig on MasterChef came to an abrupt end in July. Network 10’s chief executive officer Paul Anderson said despite months of negotiations, “10 has not been able to reach a commercial agreement.” The trio’s swift exit came after controversial foodie Calombaris admitted to underpaying employees at his restaurants by $7.8 million.
Three Blue Ducks co-owner and chef Andy Allen, travel writer Melissa Leong and celebrity chef and TV presenter Jock Zonfrillo have since signed on to front next year’s show. While Preston and Mehigan have since jumped ship to rival network Seven to host Plate of Origin.
Sonia Kruger leaves Nine
It was a disastrous year for Nine and the Network took another hit in November when one of its main stars decided to jump ship to rival network Seven. Whispers Sonia Kruger was going to defect to rival network Seven were around for weeks before Kruger confirmed the news on air.
Kruger said: “After eight fabulous years I am leaving the show and the Nine Network.” Kruger has signed a “multi-year deal” and will next year front new series Mega Mini Golf, join the judging panel for Australia’s Hot Talent: The Champions and be part of the broadcasting team for the Tokyo Games.
Originally published as 2019: Australian scandals that rocked the celebrity world
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