Latest news with #Channel10
Herald Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Herald Sun
Bachelor's Irena Gilbert reveals Covid burnout battle and mental health journey
Don't miss out on the headlines from Health. Followed categories will be added to My News. Filming a reality TV show on which she fell in love with her future husband might seem like the most emotionally intense thing that could have happened in Irena Gilbert's life that year, but in 2020 it was only part of the story. The 34-year-old nurse had fallen in love with her future husband, entrepreneur Locky Gilbert, 35, in front of the cameras on The Bachelor, but behind the scenes she was navigating the challenging reality of a healthcare worker in Melbourne during the Covid pandemic. 'While you hear a lot about nurses experiencing burnout, I think the events of that year really made things a lot more intense,' she said. Keeping her relationship with Locky a secret as per her contract, as well as being a frontline worker in some of the harshest lockdown conditions on the planet began to take its toll on Irena. 'I started dreading going to work,' she said. 'I'd have this panicked feeling just walking into the building.' Locky Gilbert and with Irena Gilbert (then Srbinovska) fell in love on The Bachelor. Picture: Channel 10 But as their love story was airing, things were not so smooth behind the scenes. Locky, who had returned home to Perth, could only provide support from afar. 'Everything in Perth was open, and so it was hard for him to fully grasp the gravity of the situation, but he was always there for me, sometimes for hours on end on the phone. I'd debrief at the end of each day during my one-hour walk,' Irena said. It was Locky, too, who eventually broached the solution to Irena's burnout. 'He said: 'why don't you move to Perth and take some time off?'' recalls Irena. 'Part of me was like, 'I've worked so hard to get to this point in my career,' and the other part of me was thinking: 'but I don't even want this job right now!' So I quit my job, moved to Perth and took a year off from nursing.' Australia is in the grips of a mental health crisis, and people are struggling to know who to turn to, especially our youngergenerations. Can We Talk? is a News Corp awareness campaign, in partnership with Medibank, equipping Aussies with the skills needed to have the mostimportant conversation of their life. Irena credits the move, as well as seeking professional help - 'I started seeing a psychologist, and I still see one,' she says - with healing her burnout and radically improving her mental health. And while openness about the ups and downs of life has become something of a hallmark for Irena, who has been candid about the heartbreak of suffering miscarriages in her journey to becoming a mother to Ava, now 18 months old, Locky has, for most of his life, struggled to get in touch with his own emotions. 'I've just always been kind of hard, masculine, 'don't talk about it', eat your feelings, 'get over it' - all that kind of stuff,' says Locky. 'And I think since having Ava, it's made me realise that's not at all the way it should be. I want Ava to be able to come to me and Irena with absolutely anything. And if I've got that hard exterior, no one's going to want to talk to me.' Becoming parents to 18-month-old Ava has changed the couple, especially Locky who has realised the value of openness. Picture: Philip Gostelow/ This instinct is in line with new research by News Corp's Growth Distillery in partnership with Medibank, which found that while family dynamics can play a crucial role in mental health conversations, notable communication gaps exist between parents and children in Australia. The research also found relationships are central to discussions about mental health, and partners were the most frequent confidants with 79 per cent of participants comfortable opening up to their significant other when it came to mental wellbeing. Strong relationships were found to have a big influence on our mental wellbeing, with more than half (53 per cent) citing their relationship as a key factor in having a positive impact. Earlier this year, Locky began seeing a holistic therapist - both individually and together with Irena. 'The first time I saw her, she laid me down and did some healing that had me absolutely bawling my eyes out,' he recalls. 'I hated it. But since then I've just learned so much - I hate the word trauma, but I'm learning about what it means to heal from your past, and the importance of dealing with emotions. Long story short, I've learned that opening up and just talking to someone can change a lot. It's been very helpful.' Irena and Locky Gilbert have both benefited from seeking professional help with their mental wellbeing. Picture: Instagram 'Locky's changed so much since he's been seeing our therapist and opening up,' Irena says. Picture: Philip Gostelow/ One of the most surprising things for Locky was the support of his inner circle when he began to be more vulnerable with them. 'The funny thing I realised was that (before therapy) in my head, I was constantly telling myself: 'don't show your emotions, this is what needs to be done.' That's what I had in my head,' he said. 'But when I came to all of my best mates and said, 'hey, I'm seeing a coach, and I'm trying to release all my emotions, and all this trauma kind of stuff,' they were all super proud of me. 'They're like, 'man, this is awesome. This is amazing'. Irena, my mum, everyone that was close to me was super happy that I was showing these emotions, and they're the people that I care about.' It's still early days and 'a work in progress,' says Locky, but he's been stunned at the change he's seen even in a matter of months. Irena agrees. 'Locky's changed so much since he's been seeing our therapist and opening up,' she says. 'He's never been a very naturally empathetic or compassionate person, but he's definitely changed. He was always just raised to think that 'men have to be men'. They don't show their emotions, they don't share their feelings. And because of that, he shut off his own emotions and his level of compassion and empathy. Now, he's realised that he's actually being strong by sharing this.' 'I'm still grappling with that,' Locky admits. 'But no one wants me to be bottled up emotionally. Everyone that I love wants me to express myself. I'm still having trouble with that, but I'm getting there.'
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Osher Günsberg reveals the REAL reason why Channel 10 decided to fire Survivor host Jonathan LaPaglia
Osher Günsberg has weighed in on the axing of Jonathan LaPaglia from Australian Survivor. The TV personality, who hosted The Masked Singer and The Bachelor before they were cancelled last year, defended Channel 10's decision to sack the popular star, saying it was just 'show business'. 'In a time when no one's greenlighting anything really, the only things that are going… are the shows that are going again,' the 51-year-old told Chattr on Tuesday. He added that networks are doing everything they can do to keep their formats fresh, the decision to axe Jonathan, according to Osher, was one that was made to keep people watching at home. 'If that's what they need to do to keep [Australian Survivor] healthy, then you know, it's show business, not show friends.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Osher went on to say that, as someone who enjoyed his stint as a television host, he understood this better than most. 'So there's the business case, and it will always be the reason you make a choice like that,' he said. In June, Jonathan confirmed he had been axed as host of Australian Survivor after a decade in the role. The 55-year-old, who has fronted the hit show since 2016, will make his final appearance on the upcoming season, Australia V The World, set to air later this year. In a lengthy Instagram post, Jonathan said he was shocked by Channel Ten's decision to let him go. He also revealed the brutal way the network delivered the news - via telephone. 'Australian Survivor has seen some of the most epic blindsides over the last 10 years, but this one might just be the craziest of them all… because it happened to me,' he began on Instagram. 'I received a call from the Network thanking me for all my hard work and dedication to the show but for next season they are "going in a different direction,"' he explained. 'Ratings had dipped a bit recently and they wanted to do something drastic to shake things up. So for the first time ever this is not a tribe swap, but a host swap. Yes, you read that right. 'I wish I could say, "Before we go to vote, tonight is a little different… no one's going home". But I can't. None of that non-elim bulls**t tonight! Someone IS going home. And with no idol in my back pocket, that someone is me.' 'I have loved and will dearly miss the immensely talented crew, all the crafty players and our loyal sassy audience. I'm a huge fan of this incredible game, always have been, always will be.' 'It has been one of the greatest adventures of my career to helm Australian Survivor, so it is without a doubt the hardest challenge of all to snuff my own torch, but here goes: "JLP… the tribe has spoken."' The comments section of the post was inundated with love for the longtime TV host, as well as hate towards Channel Ten and their decision to sack the beloved star. 'Boo @channel10au, what're you thinking? JLP is the show,' one person wrote. Another added: 'WTAF! Huge mistake by Channel 10. We love you JLP. So sad to see you go!!' 'Getting rid of JLP will surely kill the show rather than bring in new viewers,' one fan penned, adding: 'Do better Channel 10. You clearly have no idea about your audience if you think this is the answer.'
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Protester's fears for vision after arrest
Greens candidate Hannah Thomas has revealed new details about the moment she was seriously injured while being arrested during an anti-Israel protest. Ms Thomas said she didn't know how much vision – if any – she'd be able to recover after the incident left her with a serious injury to her eye. She had been was protesting outside SEC Plating in Belmore, Sydney on Friday June 27 when she was involved in an altercation with NSW Police. 'It all happened very fast,' Ms Thomas told 10 News+ on Tuesday. 'I remember feeling that impact to my head and just thinking, 'oh my God, what was that'? 'I just could not believe that I'd been punched. That level of force to my head. I just totally did not see it coming. Then I was dragged away to another point.' Hannah Thomas was arrested during an anti-Israel protest. Credit: Supplied Former greens candidate Hannah Thomas after a protest in Belmore, Sydney. Supplied Credit: Supplied She said she then became worried about the injury to her eye. 'At that point I realised the extent, just because of the throbbing, and I was like, 'oh my face just does not feel normal',' she said. 'I think at that point I was already like, 'oh my God, I think my sight might be affected'.' Protesters claim SEC Plating provides components used in a class of jets operated by the Israeli Defence Force, these claims are strongly denied by the company. Ms Thomas denied doing anything to provoke the incident such as lashing out or spitting at officers and said the road to recovery remained a daunting prospect. 'Just complete shock. I think that I would have never expected that morning when I went to the protest, that would have been the outcome,' she said. 'Even if I don't lose the eye, I don't know how much vision I'm getting back. I won't know for some months because I'll have at least one more surgery.' Hannah Thomas has revealed new details after she was seriously injured while being arrested at an anti-Israel protest. Channel 10 Credit: Channel 10 Ms Thomas stood against the Prime Minister in his Sydney seat of Grayndler at the election earlier this year. Although unsuccessful, she is now employed as a media officer for the Greens party. 'I can't look at a screen for too long at the moment, I don't know what happens with my career because of this injury,' she said. Ms Thomas disagreed with the idea that by refusing move on orders from the police the protesters were putting themselves at risk and said real change was needed to prohibit similar incidents from occurring. 'I mean, I would disagree. I think protest is a fundamental right. And I think what makes us unsafe at protests are police. '[I would like to see] the charges against me dropped and I would like the officers involved to be charged and taken off duty. 'I think the level of violence towards protesters at the moment is escalated, and it's because [of the] anti-protest laws, which has really licensed police to crack down. 'I think if nothing changes, there'll be more injuries.' A critical incident team is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, and will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and oversighted by the LECC. Ms Thomas is due in court over the protest on August 12.
7NEWS
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
Newlywed TV and radio star Brittany Hockley snaps up glam Gold Coast home for $2.43m
Loading content... Radio host, Life Uncut podcaster and The Bachelor runner-up, Brittany Hockley, has purchased her first home as a newlywed with her husband, Ben Siegrist. In a joint Instagram post, Hockley, 37, and Siegrist, a Swiss professional footballer, announced the news of their $2.43 million Gold Coast property buy. The caption read: 'So happy to say we bought our dream home!!' "We may be living on opposite sides of the world chasing our own dreams, but we are working towards our future together, and that's the most important thing." Hockley also revealed that the couple, who wed in Bali on June 4, purchased the house on their wedding night. "Married and a house this past month, what a time! (We actually bought this on our wedding night... must have been feeling the good vibes and/or had a few too many cocktails) This is just the start," she wrote. Hockley, who rose to fame as a contestant on Channel 10's The Bachelor and appears on Channel 7's latest season of Dancing With The Stars, began dating Europe-based Siegrist, 33, three years ago. Despite getting hitched last month, the couple maintains a long-distance relationship. While the couple doesn't have plans to live in the home in the immediate future, Hockley revealed that the luxury Palm Springs-inspired property will be offered as a location for photo shoots. The five-bedroom, three-bathroom residence, Casa Palma, already has its own Instagram page with the bio reading: 'Luxe GC home - available for styled shoots. Coming soon'. The page racked up 16,000 followers within two days. "While this is a happy time and this is our dream home one day, I unfortunately won't be moving here now," Hockley said in her Instagram stories. "I'll take you along the journey but sharing this now because this space will be available for photo shoots soon". The resort-style property hit the market in April after the original 1990s-era home underwent a complete renovation, including a striking white render facade. A statement arched glass door opens to the entry foyer with stone-look tiles and a feature pendant light. There are five bedrooms, including two master-style suites, each with an ensuite. Interior features include Venetian render walls, archways, skylights, brushed brass fixtures, Caesarstone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling sheer curtains and concrete flooring. The sleek kitchen has an oversized oven, an integrated dishwasher, a double sink and a bi-fold servery window to the alfresco area. At the heart of the home is the open living and dining area with concrete flooring, raked ceilings with exposed beams, a built-in bar and an illuminated internal garden. Outside is an alfresco entertaining area with a built-in barbecue, a sink, electric blinds, fans, and outdoor heaters. The backyard has an outdoor shower, a lagoon-style heated magnesium in-ground swimming pool, and a spa. The front yard has an in-ground trampoline surrounded by lush gardens with palms and cacti lighting. In a recent Instagram Q&A post, Hockley described how the couple's relationship works despite living apart. "Ben and I have been together nearly three years, and we have never lived together," she said. "Everyone is asking, 'Are you going to live together now that we're married?' The answer is no. "It's not by choice, as when we met, we both had signed different contracts, long-term contracts for our jobs... not to say we won't live together one day."
Herald Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Herald Sun
Your go-to guide to getting cast on a reality TV show in Melbourne
With thousands of people applying each year to be on reality TV shows, it is clear the lure of 15 minutes of fame is as strong as ever in Australia. From Survivor to Married At First Sight, The Block, The Voice, Australian Idol, MasterChef, Gogglebox, Travel Guides, Parental Guidance, Love Island, Love Triangle, Alone, FBoy Island, MKR and the returning 'OG' of the reality game, Big Brother, to name a few, there are numerous opportunities for people to get their moment in the spotlight. With the popularity of the genre, the trick is to stand out from the pack in the crowded casting process. Each show has its own casting protocols, but all start in the same way: you have to apply. Networks usually put a call out that applications are open for the following year at the end of a show's season. The links are housed on a show's web page or through a casting company such as Casting can also happen 'in the wild' when a casting scout approaches someone cold in a pub, at a sporting event, a bar, a shopping centre, club or cafe, or via a DM on social media. Some street casting undertakings are not so covert. There have been times when shows have sent casting scouts out to locations wearing a T-shirt reading 'we're casting' with the name of the show emblazoned on the garment. How to get cast on MasterChef Australia MasterChef Australia has made no secret that it is on the hunt for fresh and fabulous talent for the next season of the show and casting teams have been at markets and food events around Melbourne in recent weeks meeting and mingling with keen amateur foodies and encouraging them to apply. Sarah Thornton, head of unscripted for Channel 10, said tips to get noticed in a casting process included having a clue about the show you were applying for. 'You would be surprised at the number of people that copy and paste applications for another show to the show that they're applying for with you,' Thornton said. 'Immediately, that's quite off-putting, there's not many shows on television that are looking for the same people. 'My advice is to really think about the show that you would like to be cast in and why you fit on that show before you apply. We want people who don't overfilter themselves and are really good storytellers. They also have to be memorable. 'Obviously with MasterChef, it's about the food, but we have all sorts of personality types among the cast and not everyone is an extrovert on the show. When we do the auditions for MasterChef, we are looking for people who are deeply immersed in their cooking and have real depth of talent. We don't just want people who are amazing, we want real heart and soul home cooks.' Would-be contestants need to complete an online application and include photos of their recently prepared dishes along with a video of them cooking and introducing themselves. From there they may be selected to do an interview with producers or attend an audition. How to get cast on Big Brother The return of Big Brother to the ranks of Australian reality TV has created a huge buzz among fans of the show. Ten is readying for a rush of applicants when casting opens in the coming weeks. 'With Big Brother, when casting gets underway, I would say take your time with your application,' Thornton said. 'Don't rush it, show the essence of who you are and what it is that makes you unique and exciting to us. What we're not looking for is a perfectly produced video (application). We'd be happy with something very amateur provided it's authentic. In some ways the more polished it is, the harder it is for us to see you.' Thornton said 10's reboot of Big Brother would take the show back to its foundations. 'We are really aiming to cast it in the salt-of-the-earth kind of way that the original Australian series was cast. We are looking for people from all walks of life that bring slices of Australia to us as viewers.' How to get cast on Travel Guides Travel Guides, one of Australia's most popular reality shows, has just finished casting a new group to join the Channel 9 production for the first time in two years. Executive Producer Hugh Brodie said the show, which features a cast of regular people sent around the world to provide travel critiques, had been overwhelmed with the high quality of applicants. More than 3000 people threw their hats into the ring. 'We have got people in their late teens through to people in their 90s who've applied,' Brodie said. 'To be a Travel Guide there is no discernible talent that's required. You don't have to be able to sing, you don't have to be able to cook, you don't have to be able to build a house. All you have to do is enjoy travelling and have a sense of humour, which is probably 99 per cent of the population. 'The thing is, what our cast actually do is incredibly nuanced and they make it look and feel really easy breezy. They have a high emotional intelligence and they don't have a filter. There are no airs and graces, they are 100 per cent themselves and they just find each other really amusing.' Brodie said being real and enthusiastic helped people stand out during casting. The casting process starts with an online application that includes a video. The next stage is a Zoom call and then an in person audition. 'At the end of the day we're looking for a lightning strike of chemistry,' he said. 'It is always thought the secret sauce of Travel Guides is how much our cast groups light each other up and that's what I'm looking for in the audition process.' Tamara Simoneau, head of creative production and entertainment for Paramount Australia, encouraged reality applicants to 'wow' the casting team from the get go. 'Show them your vibrant personality and all the reasons you would be great on their show,' Simoneau said. 'Don't be shy. If you get a phone call or get in front of a casting producer, make the most of it. Also, do your research. If you come in without knowing a decent amount about the show you're applying to be on, that can be a turn off.' Simoneau said 'talent spotters' in the field were important in finding strong reality applicants. 'TV producers and anyone in casting has their radar on all the time. Social media is another great place we trawl to find potential cast,' she said. How to get cast on Farmer Wants A Wife Channel 7's much loved dating show Farmer Wants A Wife takes a different approach to casting than some other reality romance focused offerings. Seven's head of reality, Sylvia D'Souza said Farmer was about matchmaking, love and logistics. 'Women apply directly to individual farmers they're drawn to, often more than one,' D'Souza said, adding that the farmers then choose a shortlist of potential matches from the initial applications. 'They're not applying to 'be on TV', they're applying to meet him. We cast a wide net, with the application promoted on social media, national TV promos, in rural publications, and yes, we even ask Aussies to dob in a farmer. 'That community insight can be gold. On top of that, our casting producers reach out directly to rural councils, agricultural shows, produce markets, even livestock sales. If there's a gathering of farmers, chances are someone from casting has ears to the ground. 'If we're at a country pub or a sheepdog trial and someone walks in with charm, warmth, and that spark — you bet we'll introduce ourselves.' D'Souza described the casting process as 'rigorous and thoughtful.' 'It is far more layered than people realise,' she said. 'We're not just casting a show, we're potentially changing someone's life. From written applications, there is a rigorous review process internally before we pitch to the Network and the final cast is picked.' Being 'you' was the key to standing out from the show's hundreds of annual applicants. 'Don't try to be what you think we're looking for, be unapologetically yourself,' D'Souza said. 'Tell us why you're ready for love. Show us what you've lived through to get here. One of the most memorable applicants simply wrote: 'I don't want to be famous. I want someone to have dinner with every night.' That's the kind of truth that cuts through. 'Drop the mask. We respond to vulnerability, self-awareness, humour and heartache.' How to get cast on Australian Idol Applying for a talent based show like 7's Australian Idol can be done via an online application at form or turning up on an audition day. At the audition day hopefuls meet producers and may then be confirmed to audition for the judges. Thousands apply to be on the show each year and producers are constantly on the lookout for people with the 'it' factor. Seven's director of content, unscripted, Majella Hay said having a unique song choice, making a song your own and dressing the part were good tips to getting noticed among the hopefuls. 'Treat any stages of casting like they're the real deal,' Hay said. 'Don't tone down your performance or energy just because it's a Zoom call. 'Ultimately Idol is an entertainment show so any contenders need to be entertaining. Beyond a great voice, producers on Idol are looking for authentic, charismatic, hardworking performers who are in it to win it.' How to get cast on The Voice For The Voice, Hay said casting began with an application at That application goes through an initial assessment by producers before a first round of audition either in person or on Zoom. A second audition round takes place in person. 'We're always casting,' Hay said of The Voice. 'If any of our team hears someone great they always encourage them to apply. We love recommendations too. 'In the application sing well and answer the casting questions with as much detail as possible. The more information, the better.' 'Being on a reality show stays with you forever' One of the headaches with casting reality TV comes when good talent is found, but they don't want to be on a show. One bayside resident told of how he had been approached three times out of the blue to be on shows including MAFS and The Bachelorette. On each occasion he declined. 'I was at Sorrento Hotel a couple of years ago, having lunch with a friend, and this girl came up and introduced herself and asked if I had had any interest in doing reality TV,' he said. 'She was casting MAFS. I thought someone was setting me up. She followed me up on Instagram. I did have a phone conversation with her, but then I thought about it for half a second and said it was not for me. Being on a reality show stays with you forever.' Former TV producer turned TV and pop culture podcaster, Alexandria Funnell, said reticence to appear on air sometimes meant the best applicants did not end up in a final cast. 'When it comes to casting, so many people apply but when it comes to those final stages of weighing up the risk factor that comes with signing up to reality TV, a lot of your straighty 180, average Joe Blows, they tap out,' she said. 'Sometimes the best talent ends up watching at home on the couch.'
