‘My wildest Kardashian dreams’: Qld duo spill on Byron Baes drama

From crystals to dramatic exits and local backlash, the Gold Coast duo from Byron Baes have revealed what they really think of the divisive Netflix series

There’s been plenty of criticism of Netflix series Byron Baes, but the Gold Coast cast members have stood by the show, hoping a second season will go ahead.

Influencer Jade Kevin Foster and singer Sarah Tangye both moved to Byron Bay from the Gold Coast to film their part in the reality series, which follows the lives of an elite social circle in the northern NSW hub.

Despite viewers poking fun at the group’s love for crystals and sound healing, accusations it was scripted and disapproval from the Byron community, the cast members have defended the show’s legitimacy.

Jade Kevin Foster in Byron Baes. Photo: Jason Green/Netflix 2022

“I just laugh. We all are a bunch of really different individuals and Byron is known for having different individuals,” Foster said. “I like being different and so do my friends on the show … we just might be a little bit more different.

“Everything I said is what I said. That’s what came out of my mouth … so I stand by it.”

Foster went to Byron Bay for the series after production approached him in late 2020.

“I didn’t even know who the cast were,” he laughed. “I was out the back hanging out with all these people and the production were like, ‘these aren’t the cast these are the extras’.”

“But the show has changed my whole life. Everywhere I go every single people is like ‘oh my God, I watch Baes’. I am loving it so much. I’m living my wildest Kardashian dreams.”

He bought co-star Hannah Brauer a crystal after being told she was spiritual, but admits he had no idea her reaction would be so strong.

“I was spinning out (at crystal castle). Hannah turned around and said ‘can you feel it?’ I couldn’t feel anything. But each to their own.”

Alex Reid and Sarah Tangye in an episode of Byron Baes. Photo: Netflix/ 2022

Tangye, too, has no regrets about the show, which she hoped would create a platform for her music career.

“People were very critical (of the show) from the start without really knowing what it’s about,” she said. “I love that we really subverted people’s expectations and for other people that’s not their cup of tea and that’s fine.”

Tangye was approached by the production via Instagram at a time she was already considering a move to Byron Bay after six years trying to get her singing career off the ground in Melbourne.

“I was beating my head against the wall. I thought that (Melbourne) was where I should be,” she said. “I was ultimately unhappy there and I thought, what was the biggest antidote to Melbourne? And that’s Byron.”

She ended up sparking up a relationship with Nathan Favro on the show, before returning back to the Gold Coast without telling him, which she reaffirmed wasn’t scripted.

Sarah Tangye performs her song Liars on Byron Baes. Photo: Yael Stempler/Netflix

“I didn’t speak to him before I left,” she said. “It got to the point where you’re hearing all these whispers and gossip … I tried to get to the bottom and it wasn’t working. I know when to take myself home.

“I spoke to Nathan within a few days. We’re on good terms. We’re keeping it low key.”

While Foster is busy preparing the release of his range of self tanning products and planning a line of “savvy B”, Tangye is set to release the song Liars, which she wrote about while living in Byron Bay and performed during an episode.

“I was trying to figure out who is who and maybe my gauge wasn’t as good as I thought, sitting there having these confusing thoughts … just feeling really isolated,” she said.

“We jumped in straight away and did a studio version of the song. I love it so much and people want to hear the full version.”

They have both said they will return for a second season, should filming go ahead.

Liars is out on March 31.

Originally published as ‘My wildest Kardashian dreams’: Qld duo spill on Byron Baes drama