Sydney’s surprising celebrity hotspot
From a royal sojourn in the 1980s to visits from movie stars, we take a look back at some of the biggest names to touch down in Parramatta.
From a royal sojourn in the 1980s to visits from movie stars, Parramatta has always been a celebrity hotspot.
Across its parks and shopping centres, Parramatta has seen countless famous faces including the Queen who visited Parramatta Stadium in 1986.
The trend for star-studded visits has continued across the decades with everyone from film stars to celebrity chefs making trips to Parramatta during their Australian visits.
The precedent set by Her Majesty continued in October last year when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and wife Meghan, visited Macarthur Girls High.
Drew Barrymore will be the latest in a line of stars to visit when she hosts a meet and greet with 50 lucky
fans at Westfield Parramatta on Saturday.
The shopping centre has hosted plenty of celebrities in its day including almost all of the Kardashians (Khloe in 2013, Kim in 2014, and Kendall and Kylie in 2015) as well as Nickelodeon star JoJo Siwa who performed last July.
Parramatta Park has also attracted a huge range of stars who chose to host concerts and events in its natural amphitheatre and surrounds.
Nicki Minaj headlined music festival FOMO there in January, and 50 Cent performed there last February.
Short film festival Tropfest brings movie stars to the park each February, most recently Eric Bana this year and Susan Sarandon last year.
And nearby Centenary Square also receives its share of the action, including a performance by singer Kelly Rowland in 2017.
Parramatta’s reputation as a foodie hotspot has also attracted big names.
In 2017, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver visited his now closed Parramatta restaurant and in February of this year he popped by Woolworths North Kellyville.
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