Sydney Mardi Gras 2021: Inside co-host Joel Creasey’s bizarre world

Mardi Gras co-host Joel Creasey is an aviation fan and has revealed the one item he entertains family and friends with at home.

Comedian Joel Creasey is a self-confessed planespotter who has creatively managed to couple his love of aviation with his love of a good party.

Ahead of one of the biggest nights of his life, Joel, who will co-host SBS’s coverage of the 2021 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras celebration on Saturday, has revealed his aviation fetish and his anguish at the COVID pandemic putting it on hold.

“I am a plane geek and I miss travel so much,” he told At Home magazine.

Joel Creasey relaxes at home ahead of Mardi Gras. Picture: Eugene Hyland

“I have quite a few of these [plane] models and I even enjoyed going to the airport to watch planes go in and out of the country – in the old days.”

One of his favourite party tricks is to roll out his beloved authentic airline drinks trolley to get things going.

“It’s from an old QANTAS 747. They were selling them off fully stocked,” he said.

“I haven’t opened any of it, but it gets pushed around at parties and we serve shots off it. I love to think of its history, and all the places it’s been.”

Joel’s authentic Qantas drinks trolley, which is still fully stocked. Picture: Eugene Hyland

Joel, who was raised in Perth, now calls Melbourne home with his boyfriend of four years, Jack Stratton-Smith.

“I have lived in Melbourne for about 10 years but I only feel like a Melburnian now – finally,” Joel said.

“Jack and I have moved into a new place together, which was very exciting but there were a few clashes on style ideas.

“My style is more eccentric and ‘wow’, while his is more refined.”

One of planespotter Joel’s models. Eugene Hyland

Jack also has an unusual hobby, one he is every bit as obsessive about as Joel.

“We have a fiddle leaf plant called Beryl and she’s about six foot. Jack is a plant nerd and gets on to plant chat forums. We have about 62 plants in the house,” Joel said.

The pair also keep some very high end appliances at home to boost their egos.

“I did not buy them. I have two girlfriends who bought us one each when we moved into this house and I have never felt so much up-myself since owning Dolce & Gabbana appliances,” Joel said.

Jack Stratton Smith and Joel Creasey.

Joel will join drag icon Courtney Act, Network 10 presenter Narelda Jacobs and stand-up star Zoe Coombs Marr in hosting SBS’s coverage of Mardi Gras

“It’s an absolute honour to host Mardi Gras for my fifth year with these other guys. We all had drinks the other night, there were many tequila shots – it’s a taste of things to come,” he said.

Zoë Coombs Marr, Narelda Jacobs, Joel Creasey and Courtney Act will host SBS's live coverage of this year's Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Picture: Supplied by SBS-TV.

Joel said the floats he is most excited about seeing is The Lifeguards, Dykes on Bikes and of course, the ‘78ers who kicked off the first parade.

“I’m just happy to be at Mardi Gras to represent my community. Also, I’ll be in a suit so I think I’ll be the most overdressed person at Mardi Gras by a long shot,” he said.

At Home magazine cover Mar 6.

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Originally published as Sydney Mardi Gras 2021: Inside co-host Joel Creasey’s bizarre world