Danielle Laidley reveals full toll of photo leak in new documentary

Danielle Laidley has laid bare the full toll of her leaked custody photos, revealing it drove her daughters away and led to a suicide prevention plan being put in place.

Danielle Laidley has laid bare the full toll over leaked photos of her while in custody three years ago, revealing it drove her daughters away and led to a suicide prevention plan being put in place.

Laidley was arrested in May 2020 and last year reached a confidential settlement with Victoria Police over the privacy breach and circulation of images of her mugshot wearing a blonde wig and a dress.

In her documentary, Danielle Laidley: Two Tribes, she recalls feeling like an “animal in the zoo”.

“Some days it feels like it’s getting way too hard,’’ she said.

“All this is because of me in regard to being arrested. I take full responsibility for that. Anything after that has had nothing to do with me.

“So this is about eight o’clock on a Saturday night, I go through the side door at the St Kilda police station and I’m confronted with, I don’t know a dozen police, basically standing in a semi circle, a lot of laughing and giggling going on. I just felt like an animal in the zoo.

“The first thing is stop, mug shots and then I go into the interview room and that’s when the particular officer who wasn’t even a staff member at St Kilda, was the one who took the photo which was posted on the front page.”

Laidley said it hurts everyday thinking about her estranged daughters. She has a close relationship now with her son Kane who said the trust was broken with Victoria Police.

Danielle Laidley and son Kane at the Australian Open Pride Day launch. Picture: Tennis Australia

Laidley’s partner Donna Leckie admits she lied to protect her and feared the worst at times.

After seeing an endocrinologist in 2021 and undergoing breast augmentation surgery, Laidley struggled to cope.

“Still so many triggers, my girls, the police stuff,’’ she said.

“There was a huge investigation into the actions of the police. Hundreds of police were interviewed, 39 had some sort of internal sanction against them. Three ended up being charged criminally.

“Every time I see a copper now I think, did you send those photos? Did you receive those photos? Hate is a big word, but Jesus. Can’t f … ing deal with it.”

She added that she’d forgiven but would never forget.

“I feel like I’m good to go lots of days, but then I get the triggers and f … ing police and all that shit. And then my girls … and then you know you get on with it.”

Leckie said it all weighed heavily on Laidley.

“I feel a big bout of depression coming on. It got to the point that we had to have a suicide prevention plan put in place and I don’t think anyone in the world really knew what Dani went through.”

Laidley’s 90 minute documentary, by executive producers Eddie McGuire, Cos Cardone and Luke Tunnecliffe, examines her life from growing up in Perth, to playing in a premiership, coaching and dealing with her drug and rehab battle, diagnosis with gender dysphoria and being at peace with her true self.

Laidley, now a transgender role model, said her lowest moment came when she was put into a psychiatric ward after her arrest.

She then spent 20 weeks in rehab.

“After I left football … I started to live my life as me with a small group of friends but not in front of my children,’’ she said.

Laidley said her lowest moment came when she was put into a psychiatric ward after her arrest.

Laidley’s partner Donna Leckie admits she lied to protect her and feared the worst at times. Picture: Getty

“I tried my darnedest to keep the two very separated. I would sleep all day just to try and regenerate myself because of everything it took to be me. It was just getting unbearable and it was hard to live in the present.

“The depths of despair it was at, to turn to something that helps you avoid everything.

“I was learning how to use Snapchat because that’s how I communicated particularly with the girls every day. And one Sunday morning I was learning how to do it and I didn’t have my glasses on and instead of pressing save I pressed send and they got pictures of me (dressed as a woman).

“The girls had no idea and I have to take full responsibility for that.

“There were reasons how it happened, my mental health and the drug use. From that time on I have had no communication with the girls. This is the hardest thing I struggle to cope with every day. It’s now 2020 we’re talking about, I was in a very toxic situation with everything that was going on. I was not in a good head space, I started to think people would be better off without me being around. Late one Sunday afternoon I locked myself in my room and I’d always wondered when you got to that point, the fear of what you’re doing would take over but I had no fear.”

Laidley was saved by his roommate and friend Jada.

“Just before it all blew up publicly my drug use started to spiral and I hated who I was,’’ Laidley said.

Danielle Laidley is a transgender role model. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“I can honestly sit here and say I was crazy. I’m on the phone ringing people abusing them, sending emails, just horrendous stuff. I ended up getting a call from the police. This toxic situation was somehow, I had to get out of it. To try and sort out my life.

“So then I find out I wouldn’t get bail and I was put in to the top floor of the psychiatric ward. Felt at my lowest when I heard that door crash behind me.”

Laidley said there was a time she wanted her wife to believe she was cheating after finding tissues with make up in the car — it was easier than dealing with her truth.

She said football saved her life and she holds out hope of reconciling with all her children.

“My eldest daughter asked for a copy of the book,’’ she said.

“She’s got a very close friend who’s going to read it first and tell her. That’s a very big step in itself and to hear that I’m very grateful.”

Laidley’s son Kane said: “When dad asked me (to do this documentary) everything was still a bit raw. As time has gone on and I’ve seen dad flourish into the person that she is today, I’ve really just wanted to say how pride I am of how far that she’s come. And that’s my dad. It’s family and the bond is pretty much unbreakable at this point.”

Danielle Laidley: Two Tribes is out on Stan on September 19.