Holey Moley Australia: Michelle Massey reveals ‘outrageous experience’
Gold Coast contestant Michelle Massey has described her ‘outrageous experience’ on the Holey Moley reality TV show - saying she’s never done anything else like it in her life.
Lifestyle
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Note to all reality or game show television producers – if you need colour and life in your show, cast a Gold Coaster.
We, as a city, produce fun, exuberant types who lurvve to be noticed. Such a one was Michelle Massey who lit up the screen this week as a contestant on Channel 7’s Holey Moley.
“The show was by far the most outrageous experience I’ve had and I’ve done some incredible things in my life,” she enthused.
“I’ve gone from posting about my improving swing at my local driving range to being on TV in season one of what’s been called one of the USA’s biggest-rating reality shows. I’m still laughing about my experience, especially the number of ‘Wooos’ I let out.
“Co-host Rob Riggle had me crying with laughter with his hilarious commentary, especially relating to Australia’s newest ‘mating call’. It has been an amazing start to the year. Being on Holey Moley then with two others I launched a travel agency for people with disabilities called ISCREAM and I am about to launch my own coaching and consulting business too.” Guess we’ll be hearing a lot more ‘wooos’ in the future.
NOW THAT’S A REAL DRINKING PROBLEM
Wine is something that is usually enjoyed with a swirl, a sniff and a sip. It’s not so good when enjoyed externally as one high-flyer discovered at a dinner last week.
Maybe it was because he was dominating the conversation or being a bit too rambunctious in his enjoyment of the night. After a few hours and many more drinks one of the guests at the table not so politely told him to pretty please, shut up.
His request was met with a dismissive wave of the hand. Next thing you know an almost full glass of Pinot Gris was upended on his head. Much screeching and hollering ensued before everyone calmed down and the party was called off due to inclement tempers.
Drink responsibly kiddies.
JAMIE LANDS TOP GONG
She did it! “She” is local musician Jamie Lee Wilson (who performs as JVMIE) and “it” is winning Best Downtempo Song of the Year at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards.
If you are a dedicated reader you will know a little of Jamie’s story. She returned from LA last year, went into lockdown and while in her hotel room collaborated remotely with Lionel Cohen to write F**k This Mess.
That song about COVID and the upheaval was last week rewarded with the prestigious award.
“It was such a thrill to win in the company of artists like Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake and John Legend,” said Jamie.
“Our independent project was born out of the limitations of 2020. The response from fans, family and other artists has been overwhelming. I’ve been fangirling a bit and had congratulations from Michael Abels of Get Out, Colin Hay from Men at Work and even Michael Polcino, the director of The Simpsons, sent a message.
“It was a shame we couldn’t be there but Lionel and I video chatted throughout the show. On Monday we released a new single, I’d Do it All Again, and I’ve got an album coming out next month with A List Records called Over My Head, which has a really cool underwater album cover.”
Going places and then some.
REMEMBER WHEN: CARSON’S CHEEKY SNAP
One of our favourite photos from back in the day. The year is 2008 and the man doing the inspection for correct wheel alignment is none other than Carson Kressley.
He had risen to global fame after Queer Eye for a Straight Guy first aired in 2003 and was in Australia on a promotional trip for Myer.
As the most flamboyant and out-there on the show he was always a fan favourite wherever he went. Wickedly funny and as sharp as a tack, he understood exactly the camera angle he was creating in this shot and grinned cheekily after we had taken the photo at the grand re-opening of Myer in Brisbane.
LAWSON’S MOVIE MAGIC
Josh Lawson is a man who likes to keep busy. His film Long Story Short opens next week and he will be on hand for a Q&A with fans on Monday night at Event Cinemas Pacific Fair.
And the busy? “Yes, I wrote it, starred, directed and was one of the executive producers on the film,” he laughed.
“It sounds more hectic than it was because on the shoot we had a great team who all knew their job. At the time I also had to get in shape to shoot Mortal Combat so I was getting up very early to work out and then going to the set.”
Oscar nominated for his 2016 short film The Eleven O’Clock, Josh has been living in Los Angeles for 15 years before returning to the Gold Coast.
“Things were getting tough over there and I was lucky that I was able to come back here and work. In a way it was like the universe was telling me to come home, which I did, and the film was shot here. Having so many roles meant I was involved in the funding process which can be difficult but I was asking people to make my dream a reality and it did.”
How does he like Q&As? “I actually love them. At the moment there is no film festival run so this is a way of getting great feedback after a viewing. The general public have surprising insights and make you think hard about the work you are doing. I am looking forward to next Monday and some cracking questions.”
TONI’S LIFE-CHANGING LESSON FROM BOWIE
IT’S NOT every day you get to have coffee with a global superstar as down to earth as Toni Childs.
The Emmy-winning, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter has performed with such iconic names as Bob Dylan, David Bowie and Carlos Santana to name just a few and was just one of the crowd at Madison’s Café in Broadbeach.
The humility? “I learnt a very important lesson when I was 18. I did a couple of my songs and a friend passed them on to David Bowie who said I was going to be the next female Bowie.
“That went to my head, I had a lot of swagger but it wasn’t true and the total experience changed my attitude.”
She retains an enthusiasm and passion for her industry and those who are suffering through this current situation that belies her many years of touring and performing.
“I am an artist, a woman and being and I feel like I am unfurling.
“I have a thing about women mentioning the ‘glass ceiling’. Talking about it only makes it a reality — women are very powerful so they have to stop and realise that we are holding ourselves back.”
Toni has many projects on the boil — a bee installation, new show being readied to tour hopefully next year, environmental projects, underwater concert for whales and many more.
“I have been living near Byron since 2012 and this country is doing remarkably well.” And her final word on why she loves Australia: “You have an expression, ‘fair dinkum’, which I love because it sums up your attitude to being true to yourself and others.”
If an American can be fair dinkum, Toni Childs is that and more. If you would like to know more about her future projects and follow her remarkable journey go to www.tonichilds.com.au
ALLI IS HELPING HOMELESS YOUTH
GREAT to see Gold Coast gal Alli Simpson enduring the horrors of the “jungle” near Murwillumbah on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here for a very good local cause.
She listed Gold Coast Project for Homeless Youth Inc as her nominated charity during the show, which meant every vote she received generated a donation that helps young people in crisis in our city.
If you are going to suffer by eating gut-churning offal or splashing down into a pool of muck, it may as well be for a good cause.
SWIMMING IN SHARK POOL
WITH Channel 7’s Holey Moley starring Greg Norman coming to a TV screen near you shortly, today’s memory features the Great White Shark.
The always recognisable Greg Norman is pictured with Jill and Gary Nicklaus. Gary, son of the legendary Jack, had only recently married Jill and they were here for the Daikyo Palm Meadows Cup.
This was taken at a fabulous dinner for golfers and celebs at Gold Coast International in 1992, the last year the golf tournament was held. Gary, like many sons of famous sportsmen, never quite made it on the professional circuit despite showing considerable talent as a young golfer.
The marriage between Gary
and Jill sadly ended in 1995 due in part to her desire to move to New York to pursue her dream of becoming a professional dancer.
ONLINE LOTHARIOS OUT OF LINE …
A recently separated dame we know who is starting her life afresh has dipped her profile into the muddy waters of online dating. There have been a few horror stories — to be expected — but she has also met some wonderful men looking for love.
What has surprised her most of all, though, has been the large number of familiar faces she has seen on the sites.
Nothing wrong with that, of course, except she knows many are supposedly married. Most are using fake names but it has given her some concern over how flippantly they seem to have discarded the line “keep yourself only unto her, for so long as you both shall live”.
ANTS IN THE WORKS JUST ONE BITING PROBLEM
CHANNEL 9 Gold Coast News celebrated its 25th birthday last week so to get a few stories on the things that didn’t go according to plan we rang Rod Power.
A cameraman at the beginning, these days Rod holds the exalted position of chief of staff.
“There are a few I can reveal,” he laughed. “Like the time Rob Readings (below) left his coat on a bush and then carried it up to read the news. A million ants got into it and the minute he put it on for the live broadcast they attacked him. He had to suffer until we could get it off and spray it with insecticide.
“Or the time Bruce Paige opened his mouth and one of his front crowns flew out across the studio. Again, we had to wait for a break, retrieve it and then push it back into place.
“Eva Milic had the most graphic. She was doing a live cross from a house and a naked man jumped off the roof behind her and landed in the pool. No two days are ever the same which is what makes it so much fun.”
LIFESAVERS ARE TOP CITIZENS
THE news that Gold Coast City Council chief lifeguard Warren Young was named as citizen of the year thrilled everyone who has ever spent any time with the veteran waterman.
There is a slice of history repeating in the award due to a connection with the previous year’s winner, Professor Mark von Itzstein AO of the Institute for Glycomics.
Mark last week revealed that his and Warren’s family grew up together in Archerfield, Brisbane. Two shining examples of Gold Coasters and they are both lifesavers albeit in different fields.
MODEL’S CLASSY RESPONSE TO ‘VICIOUS’ SLUT-SHAMERS
HAPPILY it appears that the war against those anonymous cowards who get a sick pleasure out trolling is slowly being won.
Someone who has had more than her fair share of trolls is Laura Lydall, the glam beauty model who gained notoriety via the infamous Ultra-Tune ads.
“I have put up with a lot of people slut-shaming me but there were two women in particular who were really vicious,” Laura said.
“A friend from Perth also had terrible experiences and directed me to the AFP (Australian Federal Police) cyber-crime reporting page.
“There is much more focus on following up these days and within a very short time local police came to my apartment to check on my wellbeing.”
If you are having a problem, remember that you are not alone.
REMINDING US OF DEDICATION
WE know Charlotte Cush best for her winning form at pageants – Miss Supercars and Miss Hawaiian Tropic to name a few.
Charlotte’s real job is as an oncology nurse at Gold Coast University Hospital.
She contacted us to speak on behalf of nurses and medical staff everywhere about the hidden toll of COVID-19.
“I see first-hand the incredible measures that our amazing facilities are doing to protect healthcare workers and our community,” she said. “That being said, the fear of contraction by putting our bodies on the frontline was a daily topic of conversation.
“There were many nurses I knew, both on the Gold Coast and interstate, who isolated themselves from their young families, their elderly parents and their immunocompromised loved ones. What we weren’t expecting though was the fear in the public that nurses are potential carriers. “
Life savers in every sense, they must be celebrated not shunned.
ENDURING OFFAL TRUTH FOR A GREAT COAST CAUSE
GREAT to see Gold Coast gal Alli Simpson is enduring the horrors of the “jungle” near Murwillumbah in I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here for a very good local cause.
She has listed Gold Coast Project for Homeless Youth Inc as her nominated charity in the show, which means every vote she receives generates a donation towards helping young people in crisis in our city. If you are going to suffer by eating gut-churning offal or splashing down into a pool of muck, it may as well be for a good cause.
MAX’S MEMORIAL RINGS TOTALLY TRUE, YOU CAN BET ON THAT
DURING the memorial for Max Christmas many tall tales but true were told by the speakers about his life and times.
Halfway through, the mobile of one of Max’s great friends, a well-known man about town, rang and after he looked at the caller hurriedly got up and moved to the back of the room. There he was overheard discussing horses and starting prices for the next day’s Magic Millions.
Knowing that he likes a bet or 20 we are sure that Max would completely understand and somewhere was having a quiet chuckle. Life goes on.
REMEMBER WHEN: GEORGINA’S CROWNING GLORY
THE Gold Coast has always been blessed with naturally beautiful women and at the top of that list is Georgina Denahy. This picture was taken in 1992 at Conrad Jupiters when Georgina was crowned Miss Universe Australia. Even when things went awry and the crown slipped, she managed to look even more beautiful. She went on to be a brilliant ambassador for Australia at the 41st Miss Universe finals in Bangkok, finishing in the top 10.
These days she is still modelling, a mother of two, runs the Academy of Elegance and is a shining example of how to live your life with grace and charm.
OH-SO GOLD COAST BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR THE DOG WHO HAS EVERYTHING
What do you get the dog who has everything? A Surfers Paradise Meter Maid-themed birthday party of course.
When Cavoodle Mia turned one her owner Lisa Turner decided to go all out. She designed and made a gold lamé bikini and then to complete the ensemble invited Meter Maid Kelly Maybury along to pose at the party.
If we still had a Concours D’Elegance it would have to be a winner. Only on the Gold Coast folks.
REMEMBER WHEN
Pictured are designer extraordinaire Richard de Chazal with the dazzling Kristy Hinze in 1999.
The photo was taken at a party where Kristy was announced as the Face of Magic Millions. She was the perfect fit for the role being a Gold Coast girl, a top model with a fantastic overseas career in front of her and the granddaughter of Russ Hinze, a former Minister for Racing.
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Richard designed the jacaranda-coloured gown and to add a bit of bling to the outfit she was wearing $1 million of Cartier jewels. As you do.
Not long after this she moved to New York to further her career. While there she met and married Netscape founder billionaire James Clarke in 2009 and they now have two daughters.
NEXT STEP ON THE ROAD TO BROADWAY
Another shining example why the Gold Coast Eisteddfod is the best in the world.
In 2019 Isabelle Hancock was awarded the title of Senior Grand Champion Soloist at the eisteddfod. Her career in dance has been one of discipline, training and talent starting when she was just three years old.
You name it and Isabelle can dance it — ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, tap, song and dance plus musical theatre.
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Still only 17, Isabelle has just finished her schooling while completing her Certificate IV in full-time dance through Brent Street’s Dance Tech Studios in Burleigh Heads.
Now the exciting part of her life begins because next week she will heading to Sydney to train at Brent Street Performing Arts to study a Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) focusing on performing arts.
The ultimate aim? Broadway of course where her talents at singing, dancing and performance can really shine.
SISTERS ARE STEPPING UP IN HEALTH FIGHT
It doesn’t seem that long ago that former radio queen Suki Mead was attending functions with her brand new baby Kendall in a basket while she performed her emceeing duties.
Now Dr Kendall Mead-Denyer and her two sisters Cordelia and Pepper Mead-Small are all grown up and something amazing has happened. Kendall is a paediatrician and Cordelia is studying medicine at Griffith University so they will be patrolling the corridors at Gold Coast University Hospital.
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“I’m so proud of all three because they are Gold Coast girls who grew up here and to have Kendall and Cordelia back here together is simply amazing,” Suki said.
“Pepper is doing her final year of law at QUT so they have all worked incredibly hard work to achieve their dreams but two Meads in the one hospital is a dream come true.”
Normally we would say “double trouble” but doctors at the front line need far more respect so we will leave it at twice blessed.
A HAPPY HOMETOWN RETURN
After close to a year away from the Gold Coast, Jenny Wong is back in her former home town.
Life in Melbourne for Jenny and her family has been dominated by the lockdowns but they, like so many others, did what had to be done to get through a difficult 2020.
The pandemic has done little to dampen her philanthropic habits because no sooner was she back in town than she arranged to meet up with Professor Mark von Itzstein. With little fanfare she quietly handed over a sizeable cheque to Mark and his team at the Institute for Glycomics.
“The work they are doing to help cure so many diseases, including COVID-19, is invaluable so I feel it is my duty to help them,” she said. Simples.
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