
Billionaire lifestyle trailblazer lights up festival
The home-making icon has had an extremely full life, including publishing more than 100 books, hosting Emmy award-winning television shows and running a successful e-commerce business.
In the early 2000s she faced a five-month stint behind bars after being convicted of conspiracy, obstruction and lying to federal investigators, although she maintains her innocence.
At 83 years old, Stewart is showing no signs of slowing down.
Appearing as part of Vivid's Global Storyteller series in conversation with Benjamin Law, she reflected on her extraordinary career, personal brand and love for home-making and design.
Stewart spoke about some of her most memorable moments in popular culture and how she has stayed relevant for more than 40 years.
She last visited Australia for a family holiday in 2019, but said she was looking forward to exploring Sydney.
"I have made some wonderful memories travelling to Australia over the years, so I am thrilled to return for Vivid Sydney," she said.
"I'm always looking for inspiration when I travel so I'm excited to see what Sydney has to offer."
Vivid Sydney was excited to welcome one of the most revered and fascinating minds to its stage, festival director Gill Minervini said.
"We could not think of a better figure that encapsulates this year's theme of Dream more than Martha Stewart," she said.

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Sky News AU
18 hours ago
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Boston TV news anchor claims she lost gig because she's white - blames CBS ‘DEI agenda'
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Merrill claims she immediately complained to human resources — but a week later, Paramount's HR chief informed her that Mikell and Courtney Cole, a black anchor hired by WBZ in 2022, had accused her of racial bias. After 20 years at the station, the Emmy-winning broadcaster charges that she was branded a racist, demoted in public and forced into a 'constructive discharge resignation'. On May 17, 2024, Michael Roderick, vice president of employee relations at Paramount, issued a report finding Merrill had engaged in 'microaggressions or unconscious bias.' WBZ President and GM Justin Draper handed her a written warning requiring unconscious bias training and threatening termination if she slipped again, according to the complaint. The next day, Draper allegedly blindsided her with news she was being demoted from morning anchor to weekends — a move he announced in two staff meetings, the lawsuit alleged. 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'For more than 20 years, Ms. Merrill worked closely, virtually daily, with colleagues regardless of race,' the filing states, attaching photos of her with black colleagues. 'She is anti-racist.' In 2022, WBZ hired Cole and Japanese American anchor Chris Tanaka, demoting white colleagues in the process. In 2023, black meteorologist Mikell joined the station, replacing Zack Green, a white forecaster, according to the complaint. Her WBZ contract — which runs until June 2025 — contains a non-compete clause, blocking her from working elsewhere in TV until it expires. She says she has suffered 'significant financial losses' and reputational damage, and that WBZ still has not paid her for 20 unused vacation days. The Post has sought comment from Merrill's attorneys, Patricia Washienko and Allison Williard; WBZ-TV; CBS; Paramount Global; Draper; Mikell; Cole and Roderick. Originally published as Boston TV news anchor claims she lost gig because she's white - blames CBS 'DEI agenda'


Perth Now
20 hours ago
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Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
Epic new Martin Scorsese docuseries hailed a ‘filmmaker's dream'
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