Amanda Keller on why Waleed should win the Gold Logie
There was outcry when she missed out on the Gold Logie last year, but Amanda Keller sets the record straight on why Grant Denyer “deserved” to win, and why she’ll be barracking for Waleed Aly next Sunday night.
Spare a thought for Amanda Keller. While most people would be giddy with excitement to walk the red carpet on the biggest night of the Australian entertainment industry’s social calendar, Gold Logie nominee Keller would rather skip the “fuss and fittings” that accompanies television’s night of nights next Sunday.
“That’s the thing I struggle with the most — the shoes and frocks; that’s the bit I have to grin and bear. I don’t get excited by the notion of getting frocked up,” admits the much-loved television and radio presenter.
“The red carpet took two hours last year and I was popping painkillers for my feet as I was walking.”
Keller was expected to walk (albeit painfully) right up on stage to accept the Gold Logie award last year, but she and fellow hotly contested nominee Tracy Grimshaw were pipped at the post by Grant Denyer.
Since 2018 was a prominent year for the #MeToo movement and women’s rights, and because Keller and Grimshaw are presenters with long and illustrious careers, there was a thrum of discontent among many Australians who thought the top gong went to the wrong person. Keller disagrees.
“Look, that’s how it goes and I’ll tell you what, the process of going for a Gold Logie is not for the faint-hearted,” she tells Stellar. “Grant and I held hands a lot during this week last time. I didn’t begrudge him when he won at all. He deserved that and he earned that fair and square.”
Proving there truly is no bad blood between the pair, Keller and Denyer went on to co-host Dancing With The Stars on Network 10 earlier this year, an experience she “absolutely loved” and missed when it ended.
“I had a head cold that lasted for a month when it finished, but I really, really enjoyed it and I assume — well, we’re all assuming — it’s coming back next year. I don’t think it’s been financially rubber-stamped, but I think it’ll be back.”
Keller remains pragmatic about the uproar that engulfed this year’s Gold Logie nominations after some nominees were deemed “not Logie-worthy”. “I don’t know how you could ever dispute it because it’s a public vote.”
And in case you’re wondering, her pick for the Gold come next Sunday night is Waleed Aly. “I love the fact Waleed’s on television and I love the fact that he’s this reliable voice when Australia is in crisis.”
For her part, being nominated once again for the Gold Logie this year, as well as for Most Popular Presenter (for Dancing With The Stars and The Living Room, which is also up for Most Popular Lifestyle Program), means a great deal to Keller.
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“I’m really grateful that I’ve been offered this opportunity to be nominated for this,” she says, visibly moved.
“I was just talking to my dad about how my mum had to leave school at 16. She got a job in the bank where she met my dad, and she had to leave work. And here I am — 57 and I’ve never been busier.
“And to be nominated for this award — I was going to say ‘later in life’, but I hope there is more to come — but this far into my career is a wonderful thing for me.
“When I grew up, I didn’t know women who worked. We didn’t have role models, we didn’t have people who I saw who had these long careers that weren’t teachers.
“Mum died 13 years ago and she loved the work I did, but I often think she’d be stunned that I’m still doing it.”
And there are no plans to stop, either. After 35-plus years in the entertainment industry, Keller intends for there to be plenty more ahead.
“A lot of women I know are looking for the next phase of their lives, rather than ‘You’ve had your children, now it’s your turn to shut up.’ I’ve had my children, they’re self-sourcing, and now it’s my turn. Other generations didn’t get that chance or choice — the third act. A lot of women I know are looking for their third act.”
“I’m hoping this is my third act,” she smiles, after a pause. “I can’t imagine not working, but I can imagine having less on.
“There will come a time that I might have to — or the market will dictate that — but at the moment, I’m looking down the barrel of so much great stuff that I’ll keep going.”
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