Hollywood star Cate Blanchett’s star power no match for MediPedi’s regular customers

She’s one of the hottest names in Hollywood – but Cate Blanchett’s star power wasn’t enough to convince this Adelaide nail clinic to knock back its customers.

It’s not every day a Hollywood star comes knocking for a manicure – unless you’re Adelaide’s own MediPedi nail salon.

The manicure and pedicure gurus received a phone call from screen superstar Cate Blanchett’s manager at 11am last Friday, just hours before she was set to strut the Adelaide Film Festival red carpet.

With the Oscar-winning actor seeking some last-minute talon repair, MediPedi owner Georgia Jamieson was asked if she could spare a technician to visit Cate’s hotel.

But, with the popular clinic usually booked out weeks in advance, Jamieson opted instead to keep the books committed to her loyal clients.

Tom Baker, MediPedi co-founder, refused bump any of his loyal clients. Picture: Tom Huntley

Even the power of Cate could not make MediPedi co-founders Tom Baker and Georgina Jamieson betray their loyal customers. Picture: Supplied

“As wonderful as it would have been to have one of our staff go and meet Cate and give her a lovely manicure and pedicure, we just couldn’t let down any of our regular clients who book weeks in advance,” MediPedi Glenelg manager Jacqui Heysen said.

“It would have been a good two hours out of one of our beauty therapist’s day and we just couldn’t do it.”

The hybrid podiatrist-nail salon, co-founded by Jamieson and Tom Baker in 2016, has long been a favourite of Adelaide Film Festival attendees.

Cate Blanchett on the red carpet at Capri Theatre in Goodwood. Picture: Emma Brasier

While its current client list remains a salon-held secret, a number of high-profile South Australian personalities are known to put their best feet forward into the clinics.

Blanchett was the guest of honour at the Capri Theatre at a sold-out special screening of Tar, in which she stars and is also executive producer.

Eagle-eyed fans noticed the Australian superstar kept her hands held firmly in the pockets of her custom red, pale blue and cream Louis Vuitton trousers on Friday’s red carpet.

It may not be clear if Cate got her polish, but she did sneak in to skincare specialists The London Skin Clinic in Norwood to freshen up for the big night.

In a post shared to Instagram, the clinic described Blanchett as “a highly intelligent, beautiful talented soul – with amazing skin”.

“You are an incredible spirit and an inevitable force for change in this world, we learnt so much from you,” the post read.

Blanchett has also been spotted having dinner at Osteria Oggi with State Theatre Company’s artistic director Mitchell Butel, film producer Georgie Pym and screenwriter, showrunner and director Tony Ayres.

She will remain on South Australian shores as production begins on her newest project The New Boy, written and directed by Indigenous filmmaker Warwick Thornton – her third time filming in SA.

Originally published as Hollywood star Cate Blanchett’s star power no match for MediPedi’s regular customers