Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to meet some A-list celebrities. You may have heard of some of them: Katy Perry, Lily Allen, Iggy Azalea, Rita Ora, Lil Jon, 30 Seconds to Mars, Kelly Clarkson, Kristin Chenoweth, Simple Plan, Cody Simpson and Rudimental. Every now and then, I tell myself I should mix it up a bit, so I’ll go and meet a few celebrities in the acting business, including the likes of Oliver and James Phelps, Miranda Cosgrove, Sandra Bullock, Will Ferrell, Daniel Craig, Steve Carell, Tara Reid, Misha Collins, Chris Lilley and the Modern Family cast.
I met Hugh Jackman at the premiere for Les Miserables in 2012. I want to give a big shout out to him because of the support he is currently showing Indigenous Australia. Jackman posted a photo to his social media accounts, which have an absolutely massive following, with 1.8 million followers on Instagram and over 5 million on Twitter.
He broadcasted a powerful message: “While living in a remote community, I came to understand that connection to land is a fundamental part of the Indigenous identity. Think about the past, have quality conversations. I support you.” Jackman posted this in support of the SOS Blak Australia movement, which is helping Indigenous Australian to fight against the forcible removal of these people from their land.
The photos that will always mean the most to me are with some fellow Indigenous Australians who are absolutely killing it in their respective fields at the moment.
I met Miranda Tapsell in 2013, just after she had won an AACTA award for her role in the the iconic film The Sapphires. Just recently, Miranda has done us all proud again by earning the TV Logie Award of ‘Most Outstanding Newcomer’ for her role in the drama series Love Child. Representing Indigenous Australia proudly, Miranda delivered a moving acceptance speech. She implored the audience to support more diverse casting in television, saying “Put more beautiful people of colour on TV and connect viewers in ways which transcend race and unite us.”
Now, everyone has heard of Jessica Mauboy. She’s the incredible singer who represented both Australia and Indigenous Australians at Eurovision last year. With approximately 180 million people watching, Jess performed her song ‘A Sea of Flags’ proudly, with a giant Aboriginal flag on the screens behind her. Being able to see this amazing Indigenous woman performing on the world stage in Copenhagen whilst watching TV in Sydney was an amazing moment for me.
There is so much amazing Indigenous talent out there, and with the celebrities of today fighting for them to be represented in the media, I cannot wait to see who will be gracing my TV in the future.
And, of course… I can’t wait to get some photos with them!
