Lisa Wilkinson leads celebrity guests at Tina Turner Musical opening night in Sydney

Lisa Wilkinson attended an event for only the second time this year last night; the former TV host having rarely been seen in public since quitting The Project.

Lisa Wilkinson has emerged in a rare appearance since she quit The Project last year.

The veteran Australian broadcaster, who left the Channel 10 current affairs program in November citing “relentless, targeted toxicity by some sections of the media”, walked the red carpet at the ‘Tina – The Tina Turner Musical’ opening night in Sydney on Thursday.

Wilkinson, who previously co-hosted Today on Nine Network for 10 years, has only made one other public appearance since stepping away from the spotlight, attending the ‘Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion’ exhibition in Melbourne early April.

Lisa Wilkinson attends opening night of ‘Tina – The Tina Turner Musical’ at Theatre Royal Sydney. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Wilkinson wore a black tailored suit. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

The 63-year-old quit The Project after joining the desk in 2017, but still remains with the network.

Channel 10 is yet to reveal plans for Wilkinson’s future, though it’s understood she renewed a lucrative, multi-year contract with the network in 2021.

Elsewhere at the musical’s opening night, fellow TV hosts Melissa Doyle and Kerri-Anne Kennerley were also in attendance.

Melissa Doyle. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Kerri-Anne Kennerley. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

The musical, which features Turner’s biggest hits as it charters her life from humble beginnings to rock ‘n roll star, also saw a host of Sydney influencers flock to the Theatre Royal for opening night.

The Block’s Mitch Edwards and Mark McKie. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Courtney Act. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Jessica Ferguson. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Sophie Wilde. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Ruva Ngwenya. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Melissa Tkautz. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

At the time of her exit from The Project, Wilkinson said it was time to “reprioritise a few things in my life” after a difficult six months marked by “relentless, targeted toxicity”.

“The last six months have not been easy,” Wilkinson told viewers in mid-November, saying she was leaving effective immediately.

“And the relentless, targeted toxicity by some sections of the media has taken a toll not just on me but on people I love.

“Don’t get me wrong. I’m not above criticism. Far from it. I’m human, and I don’t always get it right. None of us do. But by god I’ve tried. I’ve given this job everything I have.

“I have had a ball, but for me right now it’s time for a change. To be clear. I’m not leaving Ten and we’re looking at some very exciting work ideas ahead.”