Is another break-up for Karl Stefanovic on the cards?
With his earning powers going forward under a cloud, industry sources are adamant Karl Stefanovic is in the process of splitting from his agent of 17 years.
Confidential
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One of television’s closest partnerships could be over, with industry sources adamant Karl Stefanovic is in the process of splitting from his agent of 17 years and friend Sharon Finnigan.
While Stefanovic could not be reached for comment yesterday, Finnigan was quick to shut the talk down. “He is still with me,” the agent said.
Stefanovic is in the final year of his lucrative five-year $3-million-a-year contract with Nine.
His earning power, going forward, could be under a cloud with Nine’s Today show registering only a small ratings lift since his return to the program in January
He left the program in 2018, two weeks after his lavish Mexico wedding to Jasmine Yarbrough, which was reportedly “the final straw” in Nine bosses’ decision to let him go.
As his agent, Finnigan would be expected to take up to 20 per cent of any contracts she negotiates on Stefanovic’s behalf.
But yesterday, sources said Finnigan — who helped organise Stefanovic’s wedding and supported him as he navigated his ugly divorce from Cass Thorburn — had always taken only a nominal cut of Stefanovic’s earnings.
This was because she had struck an arrangement with the TV presenter, as far back as 2007, to use her association with him to leverage new client relationships rather than take a sizeable chunk of his take-home pay.
In return he sometimes brought new clients home from work — among them model Jesinta Campbell and her now-husband Buddy Franklin, with whom Finnigan has in recent years severed relations, and fellow Nine talent Natalia Cooper and Deborah Knight.
This unconventional arrangement gave rise to rumours Stefanovic was a private backer of Finnigan’s agency which also represents Phoebe Burgess, Ksenija Lukich, Natalie Barr and Michael Usher.
Yesterday Finnigan denied Stefanovic had shares in SF Celebrity Management.
“Karl doesn’t have a share in my business and I have not paid him out because he doesn’t own a share,” she said.
Company records show the pair were once co-directors of a different company called OMG Management.
That company, registered in 2015, was deregistered in 2018.
The talk of a break-up of the old pals comes as Stefanovic awaits the arrival of a new baby with Yarbrough. The baby girl is due in May.
It is expected the couple will be talking to magazines about a possible announcement and first photos deal — one which might have precluded Finnigan from a cut if she and Stefanovic had split.
TV sources say that despite Stefanovic’s Today show comeback, the slow ratings lift has affected his lustre at Nine.
VIRUS PUTS MODELS OUT OF WORK
IT seems no one is immune from coronavirus fall out — not even our models.
Commercials and campaigns are being delayed and cancelled due to the delays in clothing arriving from China. As a result, many models are out of work, with agencies scrambling to secure jobs for their talent.
Chic Model Management owner Kathy Ward sent an email out earlier this week letting the men and women on her books know there would be less work than usual in coming weeks.
“Due to the coronavirus, we have had lots of shoots being cancelled and rescheduled,” Ward told Sunday Confidential.
“Clients cannot get the sample ranges, more so with the fast-fashion clients who book more commercial models through our Scoop Model agency.
“We have had to send notifications out to all our talent advising them of the downturn in bookings. It is very hard on some of the talent who rely on regular e-commerce bookings for their income.”
Chadwicks modelling agency has also noticed the impact coronavirus has had on the modelling industry, with founder Martin Walsh saying: “Yes it is impacting
us quite extensively both internationally and locally.
“Internationally we had a confirmed worldwide campaign cancelled for one of our models. An international show was cancelled and locally a number of jobs have been pushed back or cancelled due to samples not arriving.
“Certain clients are advising of stipulations on any international models from certain destinations. Also commercials being cancelled due to clients unable to enter the country.”
MOSS ON TRACK FOR RACE TRENDS
There is one thing British model Lottie Moss is hoping she won’t see when she visits Australia for the first time this month.
The younger sister of supermodel Kate Moss is flying out as the guest of honour at Longines Golden Slipper Day for Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
“I am terrified of spiders and I know the spiders out there are insane,” the 22-year-old told Sunday Confidential.
Moss, whose real name is Charlotte, has made her own name on the global modelling stage over the past decade.
Represented by Storm Management, also her sister’s agency, she made her debut in Teen Vogue in 2014 and has worked with top brands including Chanel, Calvin Klein and Valentino.
Acting too is a passion.
“I have my own path and she has her own path,” Moss said when asked about her sister’s influence on her career. “I love modelling but there are so many other options. I think there are so many people who prove you can be more than one thing, which I want to be.”
She added: “I want to be like a business woman. I want to do music, film and TV, all of those things.”
While on ground at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, March 21, Moss will judge the Longines’ Price For Elegance competition.
Fashion-wise, punters are encouraged to incorporate a touch of gold into their outfits.
“I am excited to see the autumn fashion trends,” Moss said.
“I have never been to Australia so I think it will be really different vibe for me. It will be interesting to see what is going on over there.”