Looking for Alibrandi star Australian Survivor 2019 cast
20 years after the classic Aussie teen film Looking for Alibrandi was released, star Pia Miranda’s making a shock career move nobody saw coming.
Former Looking for Alibrandi star Pia Miranda has taken on a surprising new career move.
Mum-of-two Pia, 46, is best known for her role as Josie in the classic Australian coming of age movie, which was released in 2000 to critical acclaim and box office success.
Now she’ll be on screens several nights a week on the ‘Champions’ team on Australian Survivor: Champions vs Contenders, premiering on Ten on July 24.
“I have been watching Survivor since the first season in 2000 and I’ve been sitting on the couch for almost 20 years saying I could win, so I guess now is my chance! I really want to play as a fan and be someone that a fan would enjoy watching,” the self-confessed Survivor Superfan said.
As part of her daily training, Pia has been swimming, doing yoga, practicing puzzles and making fire.
Her surprising foray into reality TV marks the end of a quiet few years for Miranda, who was 27 when she portrayed schoolgirl Josephine in Alibrandi.
After winning an AFI Award for that film, she went on to star in the 2002 Aussie rock film Garage Days, and had a recurring role in noughties drama The Secret Life Of Us.
But she admits she also struggled to find work: “It’s difficult when your first job is big and successful,” she told Who this year. “I needed to figure out who I was as an actor.”
In 2001 she married partner Luke Hannigan, lead singer of the band Lo-Tel (whose song Teenager of the Year was on the Alibrandi soundtrack), and the couple have two children — Lily, 8, and James, 5.
Besides Miranda, here’s who else is braving the elements in this year’s Australian Survivor this year:
Nova Peris
Peris, who won an Olympic gold medal for hockey and was a Labor senator in the federal government, joins this cast as a champion and is openly gunning to take home the top prize.
Describing herself as “relentless” Peris believes her sporting and political achievements give her an advantage — something she isn’t afraid to admit.
“Of course, I think I can win. I have had to get along with people my whole life. My social skills are very good and I’m mentally tough,” she said. “Nothing much phases me!”
Luke Toki
Lauded by superfans as the greatest player in Australian Survivor history, WA’s Luke Toki is heading back to the jungle. Having made a massive splash in season two, Luke is a lovable prankster, infamous for spying, lying and wearing the clothes of his departed victims around camp. “I’m gonna play hard and take the piss out of people. I really believe I have the tools to win. I am willing to die out here to win, haha,” he said.
SIMON BLACK
One of the most decorated players in recent AFL history, the former Brisbane Lions Captain was a three-time premiership player, AFL Rising Star Nominee, Brownlow Medallist, Norm Smith Medallist, three-time All Australian team member and was also awarded Club Best & Fairest three times. He now resides in Brisbane with his wife and three children.
“The combination of physical and mental challenges seemed like something that would stretch me as a person. The gamesmanship will be a big challenge, but I am very excited to get out there and I am going to do my absolute best,” said Black.
JANINE ALLIS
One of Australia’s leading entrepreneurs and CEO’s, Janine is the founder of Boost Juice bars, which is now one of the largest juice bars in the world. With over 600 stores in 15 countries, the iconic brand has secured Janine a spot in the list of top Aussie businesses. Her overall company, Retail Zoo, employs over 7000 people working across four businesses. The winner of numerous retail, franchise and business awards including Telstra Business Woman of the Year, she is also well known to Australian TV audiences from Shark Tank.
ANDREW ‘ET’ ETTINGSHAUSEN
When you think of NRL, Andrew Ettingshausen (ET) is one of the biggest names in the sport’s recent history. Renowned as one of the best NRL players of our time, ET played 328 games for the Cronulla Sharks over 18 years. The longevity of his career and his contribution to the NRL has cemented his status as a legend of the game and was awarded the Dally M Centre of the Year Award in 1994 and 1996. Still living in Sydney’s shire and the father of four girls, ET now spends most of his time out on the water with his own fishing TV series, Escape With ET, which airs on Network 10.
ROSS CLARKE-JONES
A legendary big wave surfer, Ross is one of the most iconic surfers to catch waves over 24 metres high. Known as Mad Dog, Ross has a need for speed in all things action. Making his name as a big wave surfer at the 1986 Billabong Pro, he then spent 12 years on the ASP World Tour. In 2001, Ross became the first Australian surfer (and first non-Hawaiian) to win the prestigious Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau. Then in 2016, he took second place at the elite big wave competition now known as The Eddie, which is the world’s most renowned big wave surfing competition.
STEVEN BRADBURY
Not many people have a phrase named after them in the Australian National Dictionary, but ‘Doing a Bradbury’ has become part of the country’s vernacular. Steven is a former short track speed skater and four-time Olympian. He’s most famous for his Gold Medal win at the 2002 Winter Olympics after his four opponents all collided, leaving him to skate to victory. This win made Steven something of a folk hero and the story of the underdog who never gave up.
SUSIE MARONEY
The most highly decorated long-distance swimmer in Australian history, Susie knows how to stay strong mentally and how important endurance is to win a game like Survivor. Growing up with asthma, her mother taught Susie and her siblings to build up their lung capacity which lead to a huge career in marathon swimming. Most famous for her 1999 swim from Mexico to Cuba, the world’s longest open water swim, Susie completed the 200km swim in 38 hours, a feat no one has done since.
JOHN EASTOE
Entering the competition as a contender, the 28-year-old is leaving behind his life as a gold miner in Western Australia to try and win the top prize.
MATTY FARRELLY
This schoolteacher turned pro-wrestler at night has a strong personality but says he knows how to put people at ease.
SARAH AYLES
Sarah is already a survivor, with the 45-year-old making it through the Boxing Day tsunami in Sri Lanka in 2004.
Australian Survivor: Champions V Contenders will debut on Channel 10 on July 24.
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