Margot Robbie, Cate Blanchett and Rebel Wilson among celebrities to walk AACTA red carpet
Hollywood A-lister Margot Robbie and Cate Blanchett have strode the red carpet at the ‘Aussie Oscars’. See the videos
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Hollywood A-lister Margot Robbie and Cate Blanchett joined cream of Australian film and TV for a colourful walk down the red carpet at the ‘Aussie Oscars’.
The Home of the Arts (HOTA) on the Gold Coast is hosting this year’s Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards (AACTA), with two more years locked in in the Australian tourism capital.
Actors, comedians, radio hosts, influencers and more were in attendance and walking the red carpet from 1pm to 2.30pm on Saturday.
The ceremony hosted by Pitch Perfect star, Rebel Wilson, will kick off at 3pm.
Robbie was earmarked to be honoured with this year’s Trailblazer Award, which recognises Australians whose work and achievements in the film industry have served as inspiration to others.
In January, when Robbie was announced as the recipient of the award she said she was “truly honoured” to accept the accolade in her hometown.
“Australia has always been my grounding force, and to receive this recognition here is incredibly special,” she said.
RED CARPET UPDATES
MARGOT ROBBIE:
Margot Robbie – who won this year’s Trailblazer award – arrived on the carpet in her usual glitz and glamour wearing a sparkly Vivienne Westwood gown.
She told media she was happy to be back on the Gold Coast and felt coming to the AACTA awards was “very surreal”.
“I know every inch of the Gold Coast,” she said.
Robbie said it was an “honour” to be receiving the trailblazer award.
She said the last time she was “this dolled up” was for her year 12 formal on the Gold Coast.
“I love the Gold Coast,” Robbie said to the Bulletin.
“Every time I come, I think I can’t believe I ever left. It’s the best place on earth.
“I feel more grounded than ever when I’m back home.
“I’m with friends and family and everything I know is around me.”
ABBIE CHATFIELD:
TV presenter and former radio host Abbie Chatfield walked the red carpet promoting her new product with Normal.
“Butt plugs. Butt plugs. Butt plugs,” she said.
Ms Chatfield said it was important to encourage conversations about sexuality to break down the stigma.
“The more we speak about sexuality, the more we own it,” she said.
“The more there is less shame about it.”
When asked if she was coming back to live in Queensland she said visits her mum but wouldn’t be making the move.
“My skin’s acclimatised,” she said.
“I can’t do it.”
TERESA PALMER:
Teresa Palmer is an Australian actress who is known for her role in Warm Bodies and is nominated for the best lead actress in a mini series for The Clearing.
Ms Palmer said she was happy to finally make it to the AACTA awards for her fourth nomination.
She said she was behind the ‘Goldywood’ movement and that the “future of film is incredible”.
“More people are excited about coming to this part of the world and it’s exciting,” she said.
TOM TATE:
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, along with AACTA president Russell Crowe joined forces to help to bring the awards ceremony to the city for the next three years.
“Only a three-year contract? Wait and see, I think it’ll be a lot longer than that,” he said, walking the red carpet with Mayoress wife Ruth.
Mr Tate said he was proud his and the city’s work into putting the Gold Coast on the map in the film industry was paying off.
“The Gold Coast can do it all,” he said.
Mr Tate said it was great to have homegrown stars like Margot Robbie and Aisha Dee make it back to the Gold Coast for the awards.
“The biggest asset the Gold Coast has is that we are beautiful and good looking and at the same time we don’t go up to celebrities and harass them,” he said.
“We want them to have a good time and stay here.”
AISHA DEE:
Gold Coast actor turned Hollywood TV star Aisha Dee is best known for her roles on Freeform comedy-drama television series The Bold Type and The Saddle Club.
Ms Dee said it “felt nice to be home” to celebrate her nomination for Best Actress in a mini series for Safe Home.
She said she believed the Gold Coast had what it takes to become the next ‘Goldywood’.
“That would be really cool because that would mean I get to come home,” Ms Dee said.
“It’s so beautiful and there is so many amazing places to film.
“So why shouldn’t it be.”
ROVE MCMANUS:
John Henry Michael “Rove” McManus who is an Australian triple Gold Logie award-winning comedian, television and radio presenter made an appearance on the carpet.
Mr McManus said his favourite moment from TV and Movies in 2023 was the cricket episode in Bluey.
“Teaching Americans how to play cricket in seven minutes. That’s genius,” he said.
Mr McManus said the AACTA awards was a great place to recognise people making waves in the media.
“How someone like Margot Robbie would feel at the afterparty with someone off of TikTok. That’s not for me to answer,” he said.
HARRY CONNICK JR:
American singer, actor and piano player “jack of all trades” Harry Connick Jr said he could see Australia becoming a “home base” for him and his family.
Mr Connick Jr said he believed not only was the Gold Coast was becoming like Hollywood but Australia as a whole.
“There is so much filming going on across the country,” he said.
“Everywhere from Western Australian to Melbourne.
“We love Australia and we will be coming here hopefully for years to come.”
singer, actor and piano player
CANDICE DIXON
Channel 7 TV presenter Candice Dixon was one of the first to walk the red carpet and said she wished there were more red carpets on the Gold Coast.
Ms Dixon said she was proud to see how the city had evolved in the film industry over the years.
“Bring all the cinema to the Gold Coast,” she said.
“I was born and raised on the Gold Coast and I grew up on sets at Movie World.
“It would be a full circle moment.”
Ms Dixon said she would regularly see Hollywood director Baz Luhrmann - who filmed Elvis on the Glitter Strip and is now partly-based here - on the Gold Coast out and about.
“He needs to do more. Bring us more,” she said on the red carpet.
CAROLINE GAULTIER
Caroline Gaultier, the sister of Deniska Kollosche (wife to top Gold Coast real estate Michael Kollosche) gave a shout out to her sister “who helped me today or I don’t think I’d be here in one piece”. The Sydney-based stunner in Real Housewives of Sydney hoped more shows came to the Gold Coast: “Gold Coast is like Miami, it’s full of fun. You don’t have to be too serious here, that’s why I love it.” Asked about reality TV, she said: “I have a whole new respect for it. There’s no take-two. So you don’t get a second chance to make yourself look better or say it in a different way.”
KAT CLARK:
Gold Coast influencer Kat Clark made her way onto the red carpet as one of the nominees for the audience choice award for best digital creator.
“It’s me and my family up for the award which makes it more exciting,” she said.
Ms Clarke said she felt a little “out of place” on the red carpet with A-list celebrities but was “excited” to be there.
“It’s so awesome to see everyone here.”
DANNY AND MICHAEL PHILIPPOU
The twins behind giant YouTube horror comedy channel RackaRacka who went on to win a swag of awards including ‘Best Dire-ction’ for their scary movie Talk To Me urged people wanting to create to just start and they’d get better as they go. “It’s so exciting people can express themselves and find their audience and connect to people around the world,” Danny (above,right) said. Michael added: “And sidestep that typical funding thing and do their own thing. That’s what’s cool about YouTube.You can be yourself and be authentic.” Asked what he was most scared of about the horror genre - Danny quipped: “Having towork with Michael for the rest of my life.”
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