Bronte Langbroek on the controversy after getting the gig at 90.9 Sea FM breakfast show
She lost her job during Covid, but refused to give up … only for her dream gig on the Gold Coast to be clouded by controversy. But Bronte Langbroek promises it’s worth tuning in.
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She was tempted, but Bronte Langbroek knew not to read the comments.
It should have been the happiest of times, winning a prized position in an ultra-competitive industry, but it was clouded by controversy.
The 30-year-old born and bred Gold Coaster was named by Southern Cross Austereo as co-host of their new statewide 90.9 Sea FM breakfast show, but that decision meant she was replacing the beloved Bianca Dye.
As listeners criticised the change, Bronte tried not to take it personally. And, fortunately, she knew precisely what to do — and what not to do — under these tricky circumstances.
After all, she had seen the same situation 15 years before, back when her dad was leader of the state government opposition.
While her aunt Kate Langbroek might be radio royalty, it was her politician father — longstanding Surfers Paradise MP John Paul Langbroek — who taught her the ultimate media masterclass.
“I remember when he became the state opposition leader in 2009, I was still at school, and I was so proud,” Bronte said.
“But then I’d read all the negative comments, I couldn’t help myself, and I got really caught up in it. How could anyone say anything negative about my dad?
“But he taught me then to let it go, not take it all in, just ignore it. And that has helped me so much in this industry, because there are few jobs and a lot of competition … as well as a lot of love for the on-air announcers.
“I don’t think we take it personally with each other, but listeners can, which I understand, but it can hurt if you read the comments.
“Fortunately, thanks to that experience with Dad, I knew not to do that.
“The funny thing is that now history is repeating, but instead it’s me with the new job and Dad reading the comments and getting defensive.”
Despite the Langbroek last name, Bronte earned this job on merit. She has the CV to prove it.
She started in the industry while still at university, studying business and journalism, and her first job was roaming Brisbane as part of Nova’s street team.
It was there she learned not just how to think — and speak — on her feet, but also to understand the audience, a lesson she said had informed her decade-plus career.
She finally landed an on-air gig in 2019, but the next year was laid off in the midst of Covid cutbacks.
Despite the professional hit, she persisted, working behind the scenes in promotions and as a producer at various stations, before the next on-air break came along, filling in for Susie O’Neill at Brisbane’s Nova 106.9 while the former swim star covered the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
“Actually, it’s a relief on the Gold Coast because everyone identifies me as John Paul Langbroek’s daughter rather than Kate Langbroek’s niece. But the last name certainly didn’t save me from losing my job along the way,” she said.
“But I’m actually grateful that happened, it was a big lesson to me to make sure I have a world and a life outside of the job.
“It is such a fun and all-consuming career that you can forget there’s anything else.
“In 2020, it really felt like the rug was pulled out from under me.
“I completely empathise and sympathise with Bianca’s feelings about this, the industry is tough, especially right now when it’s smaller than it used to be.
“Beyond that, she is such a strong female voice in this industry and I really idolise her. She has this aura, this charisma, around her and I am so grateful for how well she has set up this show.
“I’ve spoken to both her and Ben and we’re OK.
“Once listeners hear Lakey and me, I really think they’ll love the show. And I hope too that everyone remembers that behind these voices and names — whether it’s Bronte, Ben or Bianca — we are all real people with real feelings who are doing our best.”
While Bronte is still busily packing her belongings in Townsville, where she was co-host of Mix 106.3’s regional Queensland breakfast show, she’s due to arrive at her parents’ Clear Island Waters home, the same home she grew up in, on January 28.
She will begin broadcasting the new show the very next day.
She said both she and co-host Danny Lakey were united in wanting to present a positive program that was relevant to all of regional Queensland, with their show broadcast from Broadbeach across the state, except for Brisbane.
Bronte said the pair had previously worked together and were excited by the great chemistry they could bring.
“With radio habits changing and your favourite, personalised mix of music available at the touch of a finger, I think the fun and laughter that presenters bring is more important than ever,” she said.
“Radio now is one of the few places where you can engage in a community conversation where it won’t turn toxic, not on our show at least.
“We want to get people talking and listening, but we don’t want to bring listeners down or stress them out — you can get that online in under a minute.
“I also think we bring the best of both worlds to this show. Lakey knows the Gold Coast market and I’ve had the experience of broadcasting a statewide regional show.
“What we’ve learned is that the most important thing is making great content that entertains people.
“Given I’m going to be moving back in with my parents, I’m pretty sure I’m going to get some great content,” she laughed.
Bronte won’t just be living with parents, but her boyfriend Dylan Pappalardo as well – someone else she said was a great source of content.
The pair met at the Townsville station and Bronte said it was the first time in three years she felt able to pursue a relationship, a decision she’s never regretted.
“This job, especially in the early stages, keeps you on the move, so not only was I not really in the space where I wanted to have a relationship, I was also rarely in the same geographic space for more than nine months,” she said.
“But having him come with me to the Gold Coast was a non-negotiable. He’s so great and my parents just love him.
“He’s a mortgage broker so we figure there will be plenty of work for him here.
“He can tag along with Dad and hand out his business cards … although I reckon if anyone was going to follow in Dad’s political footsteps, it would be Dylan. Wouldn’t that be great content? JPL’s apprentice.”
Despite, or perhaps because of, the somewhat controversial start to her homecoming career, Bronte said she was still coming to terms with it.
She said she’d already been welcomed by some of the city’s media stalwarts, including Emily Jade O’Keeffe, and her Aunt Kate couldn’t be prouder.
“My last name may not open the doors, but I know I’m so lucky to have someone in this industry who I respect so much — and I would whether she was related to me or not — that I can call or text for advice and a chat anytime,” she said.
“This job means so much to me, it really is such a big deal. It’s a huge audience, it’s a huge show and it’s in my own home town.
“It’s an honour. Although I’m really trying not to actually think about it too much.
“I’m trying not to grasp the weight of it all. I’m telling myself not to look down, to just close my eyes and keep on talking.”
And when she does open her eyes, no doubt there will be plenty of positive comments for Bronte to read.
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