Young Elvis Chaydon Jay on ‘oddest’ thing filming Baz Luhrmann blockbuster
The Yoohoo Crew Peter and Regina reveal a woman who talks up her five-star travel and oh-so-famous liaisons is not what she seems, plus more hot gossip. CATCH UP
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The Yoohoo Crew Peter and Regina reveal a woman who talks up her five-star travel and oh-so-famous liaisons is not what she seems.
THE LUXURY TRAVEL FAKER
The Yellow Pages (remember that?) advertisement used to ask folks to let their fingers do the walking. One among us has taken that giant leap further by letting her fingers do the … luxury touring.
The idea is simple. She simply downloads images of deluxe destinations, hotels and cruise liners on to her phone.
Then, when the conversation turns, as it inevitably does, to places the gals have been or seen she produces one of her many trump cards.
Out comes an image of the Palais de Costalotta followed by a concocted story about her time staying there in the Royal Suite. Not so subtle hints are also dropped of royal or mega-wealthy lovers.
If she keeps raising the ante it won’t be long before a pic of Buck Palace pops up with a tall tale about grouse shooting with Liz and Phil.
Puhleese!
BEST DRESSED
Who: Gina Kim.
Where: The Sleeping Beauty by Queensland Ballet at HOTA.
What she wore: When you own your own fashion label it’s easy to look fab all the time. Gina wore a Gina Kim purple ostrich dress with Jimmy Choo shoes, Chanel mini bag plus Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery.
Style and design icons: “Leonie Hanne is a German blogger and model who has a unique take on fashion. Totally individual which I love. Italian fashion journalist Anna Dello Russo is another favourite. She is famous for her street style and fantastic styling. The classic touches of Oscar de la Renta make his designs a standout while Attico create chic fashion that is guaranteed to stamp a statement. My style is usually slim fit with bold colours which can change depending on the occasion. My other thing is using standout accessories like shoes or a handbag to create a point of difference.”
PART-TIME WORKERS RIP-OFF
Times have been tough for everyone in the entertainment industry. Difficult therefore to understand how someone could deliberately set out to rip off desperate workers who were hired for a part-time gig.
Even stranger is that the money owed is not quite four figures per head so we’re not talking mega-bucks.
As they struggle to collect their hard-earned, one of them has discovered that the non-payer has just headed overseas. To make it even more galling, he has posted pictures of himself settling back, feet up, Champagne glass raised in the pointy end of the big silver bird.
Shame!
NEWS SHOW
Glitz is the word. The latest show to swing into Pink Flamingo at Broadbeach is a tribute to the dangerously decadent days of yesteryear in speak-easies and nightclubs.
Swinging costumes, cirque acts, Champagne galore and all with an edgy undercurrent of gangsters and their gals.
Based on a fictional Hollywood club, it incorporates a Spiegeltent with a Cotton Club vibe to recreate the fun part of the Roaring ’20s.
If anywhere knows how to put on the Glitz, it is the Gold Coast and Pink Flamingo, via “Glitz”, have certainly done that.
GOLDEN GOOSE COOKED?
This goose that has been laying golden eggs for many a year is about to be strangled, stuffed and roasted. The glitterati are all abuzz about a social gathering that has been proceeding merrily along for many a year – until a few months ago.
Suddenly, the price increased dramatically with no reason given and to compound the complaints, the drink and food component decreased.
The ladies who lunch-a-lot are always happy to find an excuse, any excuse, to frock up and head out for a long afternoon on the shriek juice but they don’t like to be taken for granted. (They can get that at home. Boom! Tish!)
Let’s hope sanity prevails and the goose can live on.
PIECE
When you think about it, Paris Hilton promoting and investing in a new dating app makes perfect sense.
The heiress who rose to fame via reality TV has a billion-dollar empire based upon her paid appearances as well as retail stores and perfume.
Now the newly married tycoon, after years of dates and relationships, has launched Fun, an app designed to help you find true love. It is billed as a mix between TikTok and Tinder.
The promise is that all contacts are “catfish” free and authentic. Other unique features are that you get to see who likes you and when you swipe you get four videos and one photo.
Videos and Paris – where have we heard that before?
Remember When:
Today we pay tribute to one of the pioneers of international tourism in our city and a driving force in the running of many of our major events.
This photo is of Kerry Watson, pictured with the legendary Dusty Lewis at a Gold Coast Marathon event in 1995.
At a function this week Gold Coast Eisteddfod presented Kerry, as the immediate past chair, with lifetime membership, joining his great mate Judith Ferber in the exclusive club.
Kerry’s achievements and contributions are too numerous to mention but here are a few: Through his work with the Graham family’s Quality Inns, he was instrumental in introducing the Japanese holiday market to our city which, in turn, created a boom in development to cater for the new market.
He also had pivotal leadership roles on the Gold Coast Marathon, Gold Coast Eisteddfod, Gold Coast Arts Centre and the Pan Pacific Masters Games.
One of the true leaders.
We know Inessa McIntyre (pictured in traditional costume) for her fabulous fashion sense, but her focus is on the unfolding developments in her home country of Ukraine.
“I was born there and came here 17 years ago but the history and heritage of Ukraine is still a huge part of me,” said Inessa.
“I jokingly call myself Inessa from Odessa, my home town, which is a wonderful cosmopolitan city on the Black Sea. My mother and brother are still there. I tried to get my mother to take up the Australian government’s wonderful offer of a visa to come here but she refuses to leave.
“The conflict is so sad because the ties between Russia and Ukraine are so close. I speak Russian and have many friends there, but this war has put a huge rift between people who have been mates all of their lives.
“Hopefully some sort of cease fire or peace deal can be worked out but I think Putin is set on continuing until he has total control. Before I came to Australia I was a teacher of political science so I understand how countries can disagree but this war is so unnecessary.
“I am worried about my mother in particular and devastated for my homeland and can only hope and pray that there will soon be a stop to the bloodshed and fighting.”
War is hell. Here’s hoping it can be resolved, and quickly.
It’s not often you hear that Covid, with its lockdowns and restrictions, was the catalyst for a new business.
For Juanita Garcia it led to her starting Nosh & Nibble, a grazing box business designed to take the stress and mess out of home catering.
“I love cooking and after I lost my job as a chef during Covid I thought about doing something a bit different,” said Juanita. “With so many people stuck at home I came up with this idea of creating superior grazing boxes and nibbles for families and friends who wanted something special.”
Since that initial foray the business has expanded dramatically.
“The response has been overwhelming, to be honest. Everything is bite-sized, beautifully presented and I love adding little touches to personalise each box depending on the client. Now I’ve built a new kitchen with two industrial ovens and a big work space to cope with the demand.
“It’s just me with the help of my strapping 17-year-old son and I’m so excited about this next phase of expansion.”
Ready, steady, cook!
Hard to beat getting the role of a lifetime at the very young age of 14.
That is the situation for Southport State High School student Chaydon Jay who was chosen to play the pivotal role of young Elvis in Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming film of the same name.
“I knew what a significant figure he was in the evolution of rock ’n’ roll because my grandparents love his music,” said Chaydon.
“I have done some smaller roles over the years in other things so when my agent was approached, asking if they had anyone suitable, he put my name forward. That led to an audition and I was selected, which was hugely exciting.
“When I got the part I did a lot of research and study to understand his background growing up in a dirt-poor African-American neighbourhood of Memphis, Tennessee.”
While Chaydon doesn’t have to sing in the movie he did have to learn distinct Elvis mannerisms.
“I had a dialect coach to get that Mississippi twang and also a movement coach. Growing up where he did was such an influential part of everything he became – the way he walked, sang, danced and his clothes.
“The oddest part was having to wear dungarees on set all the time. They were a part of life back then and I eventually got used to them.”
While the production stretched over three years due to Covid difficulties, Chaydon’s time filming started towards the end of the shoot.
“Baz Luhrmann was wonderful to me and created such an amazing energy for the cast and crew. That passion and enthusiasm flowed through to everyone and if you’ve seen the trailer that was just released, it really shows.”
As for Chaydon’s future, he will continue to work hard and use his ability and this opportunity to take his career further.
“The entire experience had a strong impact on my passion for acting and I am excited to continue working within the industry.”
Until then he will continue his training and schooling while counting down the days until Elvis is released.
Great to see that our local Re/Max real estate agents were to the fore at the Re/Max National Convention at RACV Royal Pines Resort.
Robina’s Justin Miller, who is the principal of Re/Max Regency, wore a path to the stage collecting three awards.
Other notable achievements went to Ben Williams and Danny Woolbank, who were inducted into the Re/Max International Hall of Fame.
More local winners were Stuart Legg, Daryn Trowbridge, Greg Parker, Taya Rich, Chris Holmes, Brian Dobson, Russel Segal, Ray Takahashi, Augusta Swayn and Natalie Mayne. Congrats to all.
Part III: Who won the 2022 Yoo Hoo Awards
While it has been slightly tongue in cheek from us, there are many good and decent people highlighted in here. Collectively they make our city a better place to live and work. See who won the 2022 Yoo Hoo Awards
Gold Coast personalities share their fondest Christmas memories
From backyard slip’n’slides to gobbling two turkeys, Gold Coast personalities share their favourite Christmas memories. See here