Country’s most popular celebrities a brand unto themselves
The C list is where you will find some of the most popular celebrities in the country — brands unto themselves — more often than not from the fields of television, sport and fashion. PLAY: CAN YOU PICK A C-LISTER
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- Ultimate A-listers and those who wish they were
- A-list: Australia’s most bankable household names
- B-Listers: Busy and bold who dress the part
- The desperate stars who are on the celebrity D list
The C list is where you will find some of the most popular celebrities in the country — brands unto themselves — more often than not from the fields of television, sport and fashion.
C-listers like Sophie Monk, Jennifer Hawkins, Amy Shark and Matty Johns are big now, but can be at the whim of a fluctuating market.
Others like Lisa Wilkinson, Hamish and Andy, chef Matt Moran and AFL star “Buddy” Franklin, are trusted celebrities as bankable in their own domain as are their A and B list counterparts.
Some C-listers are consumed by that vague thing, their personal “brand”.
Having risen from the lowest rung of the social ladder, from D to C, they look for opportunities to be seen at events that are “on brand” matters.
Often in demand as public speakers — they also know you can be paid to make personal appearances at parties and can be a shrewd operator.
Some of course are A-listers on their way down or D-listers grafting their way to the middle.
Tidy and photogenic, the C list may not go out every night but perhaps could be persuaded, for a fee.
NONI HAZLEHURST
A career that has gone from warm and cuddly on Play School to stern and dorbidding on A Place To Call Home and everything in between.
TERESA PALMER
The stunning star of Wolf Creek, Point Break and Hacksaw Ridge who was named after Mother Teresa but whose career has taken her in different direction. She will play Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne in Rachel Griffiths’ upcoming biopic.
THE VERONICAS
The Brisbane Origliasso twins continue to make headlines (Lisa with her November wedding — Jess with her bitter bust-up from Ruby Rose) a dozen years after first finding fame.
ERIC BANA
Best known for his fine work as the earless, smirking Chopper Read in Chopper. His US career hit a wall when his role as The Hulk made audiences very, very angry. Just signed to star in film adaptation of Jane Harper’s crime drama The Dry.
NAOMI WATTS
One of the original members of the 1990s Aussie gumnut mafia who, along with Nicole Kidman, Simon Baker and Russell Crowe, took LA by storm. Newly cast in the first of HBO’s Game Of Thrones prequels.
MEL GIBSON
Former Aussie pin-up boy who had the movie world at his feet until he drunkenly mouthed off to an LA cop in 2006 and his world came crashing down. His excellent Hacksaw Ridge has helped revive his career.
BEN MENDELSOHN
Found fame early in 1987’s The Year My Voice Broke and 30 years on has become Hollywood’s favourite villain, with scheming roles in Rogue One, Ready Player One, Robin Hood and the upcoming Captain Marvel.
MOLLY MELDRUM
Simultaneously one of the best and worst things about the Australian television industry but celebrated for a party lifestyle that would have killed a lesser man long before now.
RYAN CORR
Delightful in Ladies In Black and Holding The Man, Corr is loved by castmates, who predict a big future.
AMY SHARK
Amy Billings, aka Shark, collected four awards at the ARIAs in 2018 after breaking through with the single Adore in 2016 at age 30.
JOHN FARNHAM
A teen pop idol in the 1960s, Farnham had effectively vanished from the scene until he reinvented himself in the 1980s with You’re The Voice, still a stunning anthem whose popularity, like the singer, remains undiminished.
DELTA GOODREM
Pop princess, actress and The Voice coach, Goodrem, 34, remains one of the country’s most popular singers. Shouldn’t be blamed for the disaster that was the Olivia Newton John TV biopic.
LANCE & JESINTA FRANKLIN
The Swans AFL superstar is surely only a season or two away from the legendary 1000 goals mark. He may have finished the year under the surgeon’s scalpel but he and his former Miss Universe entrant wife never fail to light up a red carpet.
EMMA “YELLOW WIGGLE” WATKINS
The break-up of her marriage to new Purple Wiggle Lachie Gillespie this year after a brief two-year union broke the hearts of fans — but it hasn’t hurt her profile or her popularity.
TINA ARENA
Australia fell in love with her on Johnny Young’s Talent Time and, after years as a pop star, her turn as Evita in the hit musical on stage this year put her back in the spotlight.
SAM, TOM, GEORGE & PHOEBE BURGESS
2019 could see the South Sydney Rabbitohs’ league trio split with twins Tom and George considering a move to the UK to play rugby union. Meanwhile Phoebe has plenty on her plate, having given birth to the couple’s second child this week. Meanwhile her husband is still trying to make amends for a sexting scandal.
SAM KERR
Matildas, Perth Glory and Chicago Red Stars soccer star Kerr collected the Golden Boot this year, her second consecutive win, and has claimed a swag of Player of the Year trophies.
JESSICA MARAIS
The Packed To The Rafters favourite was, two years ago, simultaneously starring in dramas on rival networks — Love Child on Nine and The Wrong Girl on Ten. She pulled out of new drama series Bad Mothers this year to concentrate on her mental health.
DYLAN ALCOTT
Number two-ranked world wheelchair tennis player, wheelchair basketballer, radio host and guerrilla Wu-Tang Clan promoter, Alcott is an inspiration to the abled and disabled alike.
MICHELLE PAYNE & BROTHER STEVIE
When the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup makes a public appearance with Stevie at her side, even her critics shut up. Stevie, a strapper, is set to play himself alongside Sam Neill (as dad Paddy Payne) in the upcoming biopic inspired by his sister, Ride Like A Girl.
DAVE WARNER & STEVE SMITH
Interest in the Australian cricketers placed on a one-year ban for ball tampering shows no sign of abating, even though the national team keeps losing.
LISA WILKINSON
Former women’s mag editor whose battle for pay parity at Nine ended with her making the leap to rival Ten in 2017. The lucrative deal makes her the highest-paid woman on Australian television.
EDDIE MCGUIRE
TV anchor, AFL commentator, TV production company boss, Collingwood club president and, because the boys have always looked after the boys in television, short-lived CEO of Nine. McGuire endures, despite faux pas and even racist comment scandals.
MAGGIE BEER
Beer’s career as cook, restaurateur, farmer, author and TV personality spans almost five decades but it was her role as host of ABC TV’s The Cook And The Chef that showed her at her glorious, giggly, spoon-licking best.
HAMISH BLAKE & ANDY LEE
Co-dependent radio and TV duo Blake and Lee are given carte blanche to do whatever they like by their bosses. It doesn’t always make for great television but these fun-loving goofballs are among the nation’s best-loved media stars.
SAM ARMYTAGE & DAVID KOCH
The hosts of Seven’s top-rating breakfast show Sunrise are very different. Koch, a loving husband and father whose on-air persona is something akin to a Glenn Robbins comedy character, feels safe and keeps himself tidy. His on-air partner is less so but her brash personality appeals to Seven execs and viewers.
GRANT DENYER
Former weatherman/racing car driver whose career burnouts are only eclipsed by his racing track burnouts. Will host Dancing With The Stars with the outstanding Amanda Keller on Ten next year.
DEBORAH HUTTON
Former model and Grace Bros ambassador who has hosted back to back series on Foxtel. Her love life, at age 56, keeps both her — and the police — on their toes.
SYLVIA JEFFREYS
Today show newsreader and third member of the Stefanovic trio (she’s married to Peter) involved in that scandalous Uber conversation. She was in the car, which may explain how she escaped criticism from the hapless brothers.
SONIA KRUGER
The Voice host and Today Extra co-host, former ballroom dancer Kruger has one of the sharpest wits on morning television and is refreshingly candid.
DAVID CAMPBELL
Kruger’s morning show co-host, singer, entertainer, son of Jimmy Barnes, Campbell, frankly, has too much raw talent for television. Should be producing a Melbourne radio show.
ITA BUTTROSE
Legendary editrix turned businesswoman, author and media commentator, Buttrose is a national icon whose social connections run deep and who is today devoted to building community awareness of alzheimer's, arthritis and macular disease.
KYLIE GILLIES & LARRY EMDUR
The smooth hosts of Seven’s The Morning Show. Emdur’s lucrative property investments supplement his TV income. No doubt his boys- own adventures keeps boredom at bay, even during the show’s advertorial content.
KERRI ANN KENNERLEY
One of the most recognisable names and faces (well it hasn’t changed in almost 30 years …) in the industry. Thick-skinned stalwart who keeps bouncing back and now has a role on Studio 10 where she gets to ridicule and taunt Millennials — including host Sarah Harris.
HELOISE PRATT & JON STEVENS
Pratt has taken over from her mother Jeanne as the senior philanthropist in the family with her role as chair of The Pratt Foundation. With former Noiseworks’ frontman Stevens on her arm, she also now owns more leather pants.
SKYE LECKIE
Eastern suburbs party girl turned PR genius, turned society wife who appeared on SBS doco Filthy Rich And Homeless this year and is now frustrated by the national homeless epidemic.
NICKY OATLEY
Granddaughter of master winemaker and yachtsman Robert “Bob” Oatley who is brand manager of the family resort, Hamilton Island, which was named 2012’s “Best Resort in the World”.
JAIMEE BELLE KENNEDY
Wife of James Kennedy, CEO of Kennedy Luxury Group and new sponsor of VRC’s Oaks Day, she is fast making her mark on Melbourne society.
JOHN KING
A 30-year veteran British retailer installed as CEO to save Myer. He is apparently not a fan of clearance sales but seems to be a huge fan of staff clearances.
JEFF BROWNE & RHONDA WYLLIE
Former media lawyer turned carsales.com chairman, Browne waited over a decade to find the right woman — with the right credentials — to take as his second wife. He found her in Perth rich-lister Wyllie, whose net worth is put at close to $400 million. They married in April.
ELLIE & CHARLIE AITKIN
Intriguing stockbroker couple who are attached to all the right inner city causes — Sydney Children’s Hospital, Australian Ballet … and Russell Crowe.
MARK MCINNES
One-time David Jones glory boy who is still working on a professional and social resurrection under Solomon Lew in Melbourne.
HUGH MARKS
Former lawyer turned Nine CEO who is behind the merger of Nine and Fairfax Media. Apparently he is optimistic about the number of redundancies to come.
MATT MORAN
Uber chef, restaurateur, TV presenter and the man behind hot spots Chiswick, Aria, North Bondi Fish and others.
JODHI MEARES
James Packer’s ex-wife is now better known as the Tigerlily designer. Meares knows the power of great marketing and has bounced back with new activewear brand The Upside.
MAURICE TZERZINI
Dubbed the “Lazarus of fine dining” currently has Bondi’s Icebergs and nearby Bondi Beach Public Bar and Da Orazio Pizza + Porchetta, The Dolphin in Surry Hills and Da Maria in Bali.
COLLETTE DINNIGAN
Fashion designer turned high-end Airbnb interior designer and property investor, Dinnigan walked away from dressmaking in 2013 to fashion a lucrative new career buying property, painting interiors white and creating enormous floral arrangements with her husband, hotelier
Bradley Cocks.
NADIA FAIRFAX
She is fashion’s current “It” girl with her own Instagram hashtag #partywithnardy and stacks of influential fashion friends champing to work with her, dress her and appear in her social media posts.
DEBORAH SYMOND & NED O’NEIL
Aussie Home Loans heiress with her own fashion label who this year married wealthy property developer son of Rose Bay Marina owner Dennis O’Neil.
CAMILLA FRANKS
She has Oprah, Beyonce and the Indian textiles industry to thank for her enduring success. New mum and cancer survivor Franks is synonymous with summer and the concealment of tuckshop arms.
PIP EDWARDS
Wild child Edwards has seen her “athleisure” brand P.E. Nation garner a cult following among Sydney’s social set and it is fast achieving global recognition.
MARINA AFONINA
Afonina’s Albus Lumen clothing brand collected the BT Emerging Fashion Designer Award in March and she was the sole Australian to qualify for the final of the Woolmark Prize.
GEORGIA FOWLER
Victoria’s Secret model and New Zealand beauty, Fowler has been in hot demand since she was tapped to appear on the runway for Victoria’s Secret in 2016. Our “model of the moment”.
JULIE BISHOP
Former Liberal Party foreign minister who loves a party, a horse race, cuddling a celebrity, wearing red shoes and having a handsome pharmacist on her arm.
KYLE SANDILANDS & JACKIE O
This top-rating KIIS FM breakfast show duo are rarely out of the news. Her marriage split from Lee Henderson made headlines this year as did Sandilands’ new TV series, Trial By Kyle, scheduled to screen on Channel 10 in 2019.
ALAN JONES
Influential and controversial Macquarie Radio talk show broadcaster who also hosts his own TV program on Sky. This year has not been a good one for him with health issues forcing him off air.
TIM ROBARDS & ANNA HEINRICH
Original star of The Bachelor and his photogenic prize, criminal lawyer Heinrich, married this year proving wrong the naysayers who were convinced their relationship was a publicity stunt.
JENNIFER HAWKINS
One-time Miss Universe winner-turned Myer model-turned businesswoman with her own tanning product, personalised swimwear line, real estate developments and tequila.
LORD MAYOR CLOVER MOORE
First woman popularly elected as Sydney’s Lord Mayor. Doing for the dog collar as a fashion item what Tony Abbott has done for men’s swimming togs.
SOPHIE MONK
Former girl band singer turned actress who became a radio host and then TV presenter. Monk’s bombshell looks and “couldn’t give a shit” attitude have helped her stand out from a pack of Miss Universe losers turned media starlets. Even if she didn’t find lasting love on The Bachelorette.
KATE RITCHIE
Former Home and Away golden girl and Gold Logie winner who is now co-host of the popular drivetime radio show Kate, Tim & Marty on Nova.
MATTY JOHNS
League star and older brother of Immortal Andrew Johns, a sex scandal nearly destroyed him but he has turned himself into a highly respected football commentator and hilarious Triple M breakfast radio star now beloved by east coast Aussie men. His next stage will be as a star of Foxtel.
ALEX PERRY
He’s got talent, charisma and chutzpah and always a killer pair of sunglasses. A genius with the feminine silhouette, he has been a judge for 10 years on Foxtel’s Australia’s Next Top Model.
CAMILLA & MARC FREEMAN
Consistent and enduring brother/sister duo burst onto the Australian fashion scene in 2003 and have stood tall through years in this notoriously fickle industry. A recent highlight was being worn by Meghan Markle.
SCANLAN & THEODORE
One of the country’s most successful homegrown fashion brands. Owner Gary Theodore is still going strong despite the departure of partner Fiona Scanlan in 2005.
Originally published as Country’s most popular celebrities a brand unto themselves
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