The Daddo daughter whose mum Alison Brahe kept mum over her cover girl days

Lotus Daddo grew up largely oblivious to her parents’ fame. In the US, few recognised actor dad Cameron Daddo, or former top model mum Alison Brahe. Now she’s following in her footsteps.

Lotus Daddo, left, and her former model mum, Alison Daddo — who shot to fame as Alison Brahe in the 1980s, before marrying TV star Cameron Daddo. Pictures: News Corp/Supplied.

Lotus Daddo grew up largely oblivious to her parents’ fame.

The US-raised Sydneysider, told The Daily Telegraph she had no clue that her mum, Alison Brahe, was one of Australia’s top models in the 80s and 90s.

That was until she stumbled on a portfolio, including the covers of teen magazine Dolly, tucked away in the family bookshelf.

“I found out my mum was a model when I was 10,” Daddo told The Daily Telegraph. “She never really said anything to us about it.”

Daddo recently walked into an interview with Bella management, thinking she was up for an administrative position. She walked out with a modelling contract with little to no in front of a camera.

It wasn’t until Lotus, left, found an old portfolio of her mums, right, that she realised Alison had been a top model. Pictures: David Swift/Supplied

The 27-year-old had studied to be a photographer and graphic designer in California and at UTS after the Daddos relocated to Sydney in 2017.

“I was working as a production assistant for a photography company. I’ve been interested in photos for a while now but hadn’t thought of myself in front of the camera. I was so surprised,” Daddo said.

Lotus Daddo thought she was going for an interview with Bella management for an administrative position. She walked out with a modelling contract. Picture: David Swift

“I have to acknowledge the last name Daddo helped me get a foot in the door. My mum is really good friends with Chelsea Bonner, the company’s owner. She had put me in contact with her.”

Daddo’s father, Cameron Daddo, won two Logies for his performances in Golden Fiddles and Tracks of Glory.

He starred in soap operas and a number of US TV series while the family was based in the US, before joining the cast of Home and Away in 2020 as Evan Slater, and radio hosting on Smoothfm.

“It’s a funny thing because I grew up with my parents who weren’t really known in the States,” Daddo explained.

A young Cameron Daddo and wife Alison Brahe at the Logies in 1992. Picture: Instagram

Cameron Daddo, wife Alison Brahe and their three children Source: Instagram

“Maybe they’d be recognised if we ran into an Australian expat, but people my age don’t tend to know who they are. It’s more Aussies of their generation who are familiar with their work.

“It’s nice not having to deal with the crazy fame side, I would probably really struggle with that actually.”

Daddo rents a house in the eastern suburbs with her brother River Daddo, 23, and a housemate.

She describes moving to Australia as “a sliding doors moment”.

“I was a university student gung-ho on being a commercial photographer, and moving to Sydney exposed me to all different facets of the industry.

“It’s rare that someone starts modelling at 27. When my siblings and I were younger our parents tried to steer us away from fame because it can be so intense, and do damage. Starting out older has been a weird gift.”

She added their advice has always been to be true to herself.

“I’m excited to see what happens, and if nothing does that’s okay.”