Rhonda Burchmore reveals horror of living in the spotlight with a stalker

Aussie entertainer Rhonda Burchmore has revealed the horror of living in the spotlight with a stalker and the fear of being attacked on stage.

Rhonda Burchmore and John Foreman. Picture: Tony Gough.

Popular showgirl Rhonda Burchmore has opened up about the horror of living in the spotlight with a stalker in the shadows and threats of being attacked on stage.

“You are so vulnerable when you’re up there,” Burchmore told the Herald Sun. “You’re just doing your thing. If someone knows your performance times and schedule like clockwork, and they’ve seen it for six months, every move, every step, every position on the stage … you become a sitting target.”

Her comments came as a Werribee man, 23, faces charges of stalking and assault following an alleged clash with Burchmore at the Arts Centre Melbourne last July.

Burchmore was granted an intervention order against him last year.

Police issued an arrest warrant for the man, who is free on bail, when he failed to appear at the Werribee Magistrates Court last month.

Hairspray stars Rhonda Burchmore and Brianna Bishop. Picture: David Caird

Burchmore and daughter Lexie Jeuniewic on the red carpet at the Melbourne Phantom of the Opera opening. Picture: David Geraghty

Burchmore starred in Hairspray The Musical, at the Regent Theatre, a month after the alleged altercation.

She said Marriner Theatres and Victoria Police put extra security measures in place for her.

“It was very tricky for me to do the show in Melbourne,” Burchmore said.

“You are so exposed as an artist to go out there, eight times a week, with the same show. I’m so grateful everyone stepped in to protect me. I felt far more confident to go on stage, and do what I had to do every night, knowing the Regent Theatre, the (show’s) producers and Victoria Police, were doing their utmost to protect me.”

Burchmore said the alleged clash triggered terrifying memories of a stalker who harassed her during Hot Shoe Shuffle on London’s West End in 1994.

Burchmore reveals the toll of being in the spotlight while having a stalker.

“He started off a bit obsessed, then bought a ticket to the show, in the same seat, every week just to see me,” Burchmore said.

“I used to get letters from him every week asking if I’d meet him. It all started very pleasantly. When I didn’t respond, or meet him where he wanted for coffee, or drinks, it escalated into death threats.

“This was before 9-11 and security. People didn’t have their handbags checked when they went into the theatre. He had to be forcibly removed from the theatre by police because he threatened to shoot me on stage. I got a letter saying, ‘I know exactly when I’m going to shoot you.’ That’s how vulnerable and exposed we are as entertainers.”

Burchmore has toured with Hairspray to Adelaide and Sydney since late last year. “It’s a blessing I’ve been away,” she said. “I’m hoping all this drama goes away.”

Her husband, psychiatrist Dr Nikolai Jeuniewic, and their daughter Lexie, have been Rhonda’s rock.

“They’ve been very loving and supportive,” Burchmore said.

“They’ve just found it all very sad.”

Meanwhile, the beloved singer-dancer-actor has been everywhere lately.

Moomba Festival monarchs Rhonda Burchmore and Rob Mills. Picture: David Caird

She was Moomba Queen earlier this month, wraps Hairspray this week, and performs with John Foreman’s Aussie Pops Orchestra for a Mother’s Day show at Hamer Hall on May 14.

“John does everything with a glint in his eye, but you don’t want to stuff it up, or you’ll never get employed again,” Burchmore said, laughing.

“People say, ‘Isn’t he sweet?’ He has got that side, but the rate of perfection he wants from the musicians and vocalists, is very, very high. He’ll do it in a very nice way, but three strikes and you’re out.”

Burchmore said she cried while on her royal Moomba float.

“It’s every girl’s fantasy to be the princess or the queen,” she said.

“I got so emotional travelling down the main street, with the people screaming and shouting and cheering. It was really magical.”

She asked Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Sally Capp, as a joke, if she could keep the crown and gown. Capp replied with a laugh: “Well, Rhonda, who else would it fit?”

Burchmore said; “I’ve got a wonderful, wonderful souvenir that I will treasure forever, along with all the memories.”