The Scoop: Cody Simpson addresses rumours about his relationship with Emma McKeon

Cody Simpson has addressed rumours about his relationship with Olympic gold-medallist Emma McKeon. WE’VE GOT THE SCOOP

Cody Simpson and Emma McKeon are going strong.

Gold Coast golden boy Cody Simpson quashed rumours his relationship with his Olympic gold-medallist girlfriend had gone awry at last weekend’s AACTA awards.

Speaking with Scoop on the red carpet, the former pop and swim star says partner Emma McKeon is “incredibly supportive” and the pair are “going really well”, despite recent rumours doing the rounds that the relationship may be on the rocks.

Emma McKeon social media post. Emma with her partner Cody Simpson. "What a year. Cant wait to see what 2025 brings. Always believe something magical is about to happen Happy New Year everybody"

McKeon, 30, shone on the red carpet in a classic black Dior two-piece set, while Simpson, 28, was trussed up in a suit he admits he threw together from his wardrobe, along with a pair of Dior and Stone Island shoes he “picked up” from his recent collab with the brand.

The pair share a sprawling $1.82m home in Labrador, just a stone’s throw from AACTA celebrations at the coast’s HOTA, with Simpson revealing the two “used to train just up the road”.

Simpson has recently returned to the Sunshine State ahead of his theatrical debut in Opera Australia’s production of Guys and Dolls in Sydney, where he will play lead character Sky Masterson, originally brought to life by Marlon Brando in the 1955 film.

Guess who, don’t sue

A local media personality has denied being cut off and escorted from a recent dining event, saying her exit had been planned, with her ride already waiting outside.

Scoop spies at the event heard staff had made the decision to cut her off after allegedly witnessing some concerning behaviour, before attendees watched a friend escort the woman out of the building, well before the event had finished.

The personality told Scoop that there was “more to it” explaining she is experiencing significant mental health concerns, including severe anxiety. “This wasn’t a boozy night out, it is much more involved than that and one I will now be ensuring is handled in the right way now in privacy while I sort out my health issues,” she says.

■ Best, worst moments from AACTA awards

Gold for star spotting

It’s officially celebrity central on the Gold Coast, with some of Hollywood’s biggest names in town for a mix of work and play – and our Scoop spies have been tracking their every move.

Leading the A-list invasion is Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev, who touched down in Queensland last weekend to begin filming Bear Country alongside Russell Crowe.

The actress has been keeping fans updated with social media snippets, including sharing a video from the foyer of The Langham, where she’s believed to be staying.

It’s not all work for Nina. She was spotted wining and dining with fellow Vampire Diaries alum Phoebe Tonkin, fresh off her AACTA win, on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, Leslie Mann was caught indulging in some solo retail therapy at Pacific Fair on Sunday.

Leslie Mann. Picture: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images/AFP

Rita Ora. Picture: John Nacion/Penske Media

The Knocked Up actress, who’s in town filming Spa Weekend with Anna Faris, Michelle Buteau and Isla Fisher, kept a low profile as she browsed the boutiques.

Rita Ora has been soaking up Queensland sunshine while filming Voltron alongside Henry Cavill. Ora has been giving fans glimpses of her glamorous Gold Coast stay on Instagram. Our sleuths believe she’s bunking at Remi Residences in Broadbeach.

Flirty exes team up

Brisbane Broncos star Patty Carrigan and his ex Bronte Gildea appear to have put reunion rumours to rest after being “inseparable” at the club’s official season launch on Thursday night.

Scoop spies at The Star said the on-again-off-again couple “wouldn’t let go of each other” throughout the evening, with one guest noting they “couldn’t get away from each other”—not that either seemed to mind.

Bronte Gildea and Patty Carrigan. Picture: Josh Woning

While the night wasn’t quite as wild as Broncos launches of years past, the toned-down approach proved a hit with attendees.

With less spectacle and more focus on the club itself, insiders said the refined event gave guests a chance to properly soak in the team’s energy ahead of the 2025 season. One key change?

The seriousness of formalities—so much so that organisers went as far as pausing bar service every time a speech was being made, ensuring all eyes (and ears) were locked in.

Spit’s grand return

If you were a fan of the hilarious sidekick Johnny “Spit” Spiteri from the classic 2003 Aussie film Gettin’ Square, then Scoop has news for you.

Rounding out AACTA festivities last weekend, HOTA played host to the world premiere of sequel Spit, which sees David Wenham reprise his role and this time, its all about him.

Filmed primarily across the Gold Coast, Spit follows its titular character’s attempt to sneak back into Australia after 20 years on the run overseas.

Wenham’s homecoming for the event saw him taking to the red carpet decked out in a plain black suit, that when opened, revealed the film’s cover artwork emblazoned inside.

Spit opens in cinemas from March 6.

Australia actor David Wenham. Picture: Scott Powick

Brush with Super Bowl hero

Gold Coast deputy mayor Donna Gates has shared an amusing memory of her brush with Australia’s new Super Bowl superstar Jordan Mailata.

Mailata became the first Aussie to play in and win a Super Bowl when he helped lead underdogs the Philadelphia Eagles to a resounding victory over defending two-time champions the Kansas City Chiefs in Monday’s mega-clash in New Orleans.

The Bankstown-born giant was on the Gold Coast last year to help launch a new NFL Academy at A.B. Paterson College on the northern Glitter Strip. Mailata is ambassador for the academy which will seek to unearth the next homegrown NFL stars.

Jordan Mailata meets Donna Gates. Picture: Supplied

The diminutive Cr Gates this week congratulated Mailata, posting a Facebook pic of him towering over her during a photo opp at Burleigh Heads.

Mailata is set to return to the Coast in April to visit the academy where seven teenage giants are currently enrolled.

Swim star’s uncertain future

Olympic swimming champ Kaylee McKeown has revealed she’s not sure whether she’ll make the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore in July after taking four months off to recover from two separate surgeries.

The backstroke gold medallist shared she had been under the knife for a deviated septum, as well as endometriosis, which she was diagnosed with post the Paris games.

“I’ve got a long way to go until I feel confident enough to get back up on an international stage and whether or not I can get there in time for our trials in June and then World Champs in July that’s fantastic, but if not, I’ll be aiming for the World Cup at the end of the year,” she said.

Kaylee McKeown. Picture: Swimming Australia Image/David Mariuz

McKeown revealed she had been putting off the surgeries, but decided the time was right at the end of last year to get herself ready for the LA Games in 2028.

While the recovery from the medical procedures had been longer than she hoped, she said the four-month break from the pool was just what she needed after a long and draining year in the pool.

“Mentally I definitely needed that break from swimming just to refresh because... I certainly didn’t realise how much pressure I was under until I came home and the comedown post-Olympics happened and I was like, ‘Holy cow’,” she said.

“To come home and sit and think about things, you sort of spiral a little bit out of control, so it’s been really hard and I’ve been working with my psychologist as well figuring out ways that I can rejuvenate myself and having that time off is exactly what I needed to be able to do that.”

Her offtime included trying to learn how to surf, going four-wheel driving, hanging out with friends and family and watching Netflix.