Celebrity thrills, spills and shrills from the Melbourne Cup Birdcage
From a shock marriage proposal to big-name snubs and celebrity flirtations, plenty of VIP moments have had tongues wagging in the Birdcage on Melbourne Cup days. WATCH: Confidential chats to celebs in the virtual Birdcage.
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The Melbourne Cup is the race that stops a nation, but off track it’s also the place to be seen.
For years celebrities have jostled for a VIP Birdcage invitation and a hefty pay cheque in order to be snapped at Flemington.
And on the first Tuesday in November there’s often celebrity thrills, spills and shrills.
Here’s some of the notable, memorable and controversial Cup Day moments covered by Confidential over the past decade.
CONFIDENTIAL AT THE MELBOURNE CUP: James Reyne, Amanda Elliott, Kris Smith, Candice Warner and Bonnie Anderson chat to Nui Te Koha and Jackie Epstein. Watch the video above.
ADRIAN GRENIER, 2011
The Entourage star was the talk of the week after reportedly snubbing an offer from Emirates and instead appearing in the Lavazza marquee for a larger sum of cash.
Despite being criticised and turning up in sneakers, only a good time was had by the actor who partied into the night with his own local entourage.
In town again now for filming with Netflix, it’s a shame there won’t be an encore Birdcage moment this year.
GEOFFREY EDELSTEN, 2014
Not content with making a colourful entry, the Doctor and his young lover, Gabi Grecko, stole the spotlight entirely with a Birdcage marriage proposal.
Then 71, Edelsten suddenly stopped on millionaires’ row, dropped to one knee, slipped a diamond ring on Grecko’s finger and asked her to marry him.
It was all caught on video by Herald Sun Confidential, who were front and centre for the surprise moment.
ENRIQUE IGLESIAS, 2010
There was much excitement when the suave Spanish star was pencilled in as a guest of Emirates.
But the buzz quickly evaporated when he overlooked the fashion memo and rocked up wearing jeans and a baseball cap.
After a not-so-flash arrival the shy singer posed with other guests including Molly Meldrum and Natalie Imbruglia, but didn’t move too far from the corner of the marquee.
PARIS JACKSON, 2017
Where do we start with this mess of an appearance? The daughter of Michael Jackson was reportedly paid $100,000 to be a guest of Myer and also reportedly refused to wear a custom Alex Perry dress on the day.
Later in the afternoon she was captured licking the marquee’s window and poking her tongue out at photographers.
The then 19-year-old trolled Confidential after coverage of her poor form.
KATE UPTON, 2014
The American model had tongues wagging when she was snapped giggling and chatting with AFL star Lance “Buddy” Franklin.
The vivacious beauty wouldn’t be drawn on the topic, with the VRC guest simply saying they had just met.
Many onlookers swore they saw sparks flying before the model departed before Oaks Day.
CELEBRITY TIPS FOR THE 2020 MELBOURNE CUP
- Delta Goodrem, pop star and Melbourne Cup Carnival ambassador: Prince Of Arran
- Francesca Cumani, International Racing Expert, Network 10: Verry Elleegant
- Dave Hughes, Hughesy, We Have A Problem, co-host of Fox FM’s Hughesy and Ed: Tiger Moth
- Olivia Molly Rogers, Former Miss Universe Australia, and Myer Fashions on your Front Lawn ambassador: Surprise Baby
- Peter Moody, Expert Commentator, Network 10: Tiger Moth
- Stephen Quartermain, Presenter, Network 10: Prince Of Arran
- Rob Mills, Entertainment and Fashion Reporter, Network 10: Sir Dragonet
- Bonnie Anderson, Neighbours, 10 Peach / The Masked Singer Season Two Winner, Network 10: Prince of Arran
- Tommy Little, The Project, Network 10: Southern France
- Jennifer Keyte, Newsreader, 10 News First Melbourne and Adelaide: Russian Camelot
- Brittany Taylor, Horseback Interviewer, Network 10: Anthony Van Dyck
- Tom Hawkins, Geelong Football Club star: Sir Dragonet
- Kevin Sheedy, AFL legend: Sir Dragonet
- Neil Wilson, VRC chief executive: Verry Elleegant
- Kate Waterhouse, Lexus ambassador: Sir Dragonet
- Nadia Bartel, Melbourne Cup Carnival ambassador: Prince of Arran
- Caty Price, Racing reporter, Network 10: Prince of Arran
- Lauren Phillips, Weekend Today weather presenter: Finche
- Rhonda Burchmore, Theatre performer and singer: Sir Dragonet
READ MORE
MELBOURNE CUP SWEEP: TAKE ON YOUR MATES