Latest news with #HeartbreakHigh
Refinery29
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
Chloé Hayden Wants A World Where Women Aren't Told They're ‘Too Much'
Heartbreak High star Chloé Hayden is unapologetically herself. She's open about how neurodivergence makes her "different, not less", and is a fierce advocate for disability rights in Australia. However, the world wasn't always a safe space for the author when she was growing up. After being told off by "almost every teacher" at school, being given detention for "correcting teachers on misinformation", being called "dramatic and difficult" when classroom lights were overwhelming, Hayden began to "shrink" herself to fit a mould. "Grown-ups would often express concern to my parents about me not fitting in with other kids, about being too sensitive for my age, about being too different. That same sentiment was echoed by the kids around me; all considering me to be too much, too weird, too different," she tells Refinery29 Australia. "These experiences led me to mask, trying desperately to fit into a mould that was never meant for me. For years after that, I tried to shrink myself, but you can only silence your sparkle for so long." Hayden is now partnering with LEGO Australia on the She Built That initiative, and is acting as a mentor for three young Aussie girls challenging the status quo and building a more inclusive future. "In Australia, women are marginalised and undermined in almost every aspect you can think of; and young girls are not immune to that — they see it, they hear it, they soak it in. It is so far beyond time now that we rewrite the narrative, and that young girls soak in that they can do anything they put their minds to," Hayden says. ' It is so far beyond time now that we rewrite the narrative, and that young girls soak in that they can do anything they put their minds to. ' The actor is nominated for a Silver Logie for Best Supporting Actress this year, after portraying Quinni in Heartbreak High for a second season. Her success in the Australian media industry has meant a great deal to those in the disabled community, especially with the historical lack of representation. "Growing up, I never saw people like me on screen, and it made me feel like I wasn't supposed to be here. Being nominated for a Logie is proof that disabled people do belong in this industry," she says. "I hope there's a little girl that's just like little Chloé, and I hope a spark goes off in her brain that makes her say, 'Huh, if she can do that, I bet I can, too!'" So, aside from representation in Australian media, how can we encourage girls and young women to embrace what makes them unique? Hayden believes it comes down to viewing differences as "strengths" rather than "deficits". "This involves educating ourselves and others about neurodiversity, promoting inclusive environments, and challenging stereotypes. By celebrating individuality and encouraging self-expression, we can create a society where everyone feels valued and understood," she tells R29. "It so deeply saddens me to think about the sheer amount of young women and neurodivergent girls who were not given an opportunity for greatness because of a society that condemns difference." Parents of daughters, teachers, and community leaders have a role to play, too. Young girls can be impressionable, and it's important to be aware of what messages you're putting out to the world. Hayden says girls need to learn their voices are important, especially if they aren't following a traditional path. "By fostering confidence and resilience, you're empowering them to make a difference in the world," she adds. "Kids are so much more intelligent in every way than we give them credit for. God, I want a 10-year-old girl for Prime Minister." It's clear Hayden is passionate about her latest partnership, because she wants a world where all women have the freedom to be themselves. "When we force people into narrow boxes of what's 'normal' or 'acceptable', we risk losing the richness of diverse perspectives. And often, diversity is where greatness stems from. No one ever made greatness happen by being like everyone else," she says. "She Built That is a platform for girls, that tells them they can be themselves wholly from day one, and that they don't need to change at all. That's a world I want to live in."
News.com.au
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Chloé Hayden on the end of Heartbreak High, her Logie nomination and what's next
While her portrayal as an autistic young woman in the Netflix series Heartbreak High has earned her attention from all corners of the globe, Chloé Hayden is thrilled to get homegrown recognition after being nominated for the Silver Logie for Best Supporting Actress. As a self-confessed 'fangirl' of the Logie Awards, the actor says just being able to once again attend the ceremony – she was also nominated for Most Popular New Talent in 2023 – is exciting enough. 'I grew up watching the awards. I was that teenager who would camp out in front of the red carpets so I could maybe make eye contact with my favourite singers and actors,' the 27-year-old tells Stellar with a laugh. 'The first event I ever went to as someone in the industry, I saw a security guard there who I had met multiple years previously, but I had been on the other side of the fence then. 'And he looked at me, now on this side of the fence, and he's like, 'How the hell did you get in here?' I was like, 'I don't know, man, I'm just as confused as you are.' 'Just being in the same room – and getting to have a fun night with all of my friends – that's amazing.' Those friends include the rest of the cast of Heartbreak High, all of whom have formed a close bond with one another across the five years they spent filming the show, which is set to conclude with its upcoming third season 'We get told all the time by people in the industry how lucky we are and how rare it is to be able to go to work with a group of people who you genuinely love so, so much. 'These people aren't even my friends; they're my family,' Hayden says. 'Wrapping season three was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. But look, it's a small industry. 'I know we'll all be together again in one way or another. It's been incredibly bittersweet.' Saying goodbye to her castmates has been as hard as saying farewell to her character, Quinni. Hayden, who was diagnosed with autism at 13, tells Stellar that Quinni 'has changed me and shaped me and will stay with me in every way. I grew up never having any autistic characters on screen that I could relate to'. 'The closest thing that we had to autism representation when I was little was What's Eating Gilbert Grape? and Rain Man. 'So having teenage girls be able to see themselves in a character like Quinni – who is nuanced and imperfect, who is like them, and who they can relate to – is life-changing.' More recently, Hayden took on a different kind of role as official ambassador for Lego Australia's new 'She Built That' campaign, which encourages young girls to redefine and reclaim what it means to be a builder, and celebrates their creativity. The campaign also champions Australian girls who are making strides in their communities, like Aurora Iler, 14, a filmmaker, writer, actor and Youth Oscar winner; Abbie Jane, 14, an LGBTQIA+ activist, author and founder of the Rainbow Shoelace Project, and Charli Hately, 15, a surfer, artist and musician. 'Growing up as someone who was always told I was too much – too loud and too weird – it's really exciting to be seeing young girls being told that their 'too much' is actually exactly what they're supposed to be,' Hayden tells Stellar. 'They're building incredible things now, and for their futures. They are enough. This campaign is really helping showcase that in themselves, and I think in turn, being able to showcase that to other young girls around Australia who maybe haven't been taught yet that their version of different is a good thing. 'A lot of girls are taught to hide their 'muchness'. But your difference is what makes you powerful.' For more on Lego Australia's 'She Built That' campaign click here. See the full shoot with Chloé Hayden in Stellar today, inside The Sunday Telegraph (NSW), Sunday Herald Sun (Victoria), The Sunday Mail (Queensland) and Sunday Mail (SA).
Business Upturn
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Heartbreak High Season 3: Release date rumors, cast updates and what to expect next
By Aman Shukla Published on July 10, 2025, 20:30 IST Last updated July 10, 2025, 20:07 IST G'day, Heartbreak High fans! If you're as obsessed with the Hartley High crew as we are, you're probably itching to know what's next after that wild Season 2 finale. The Aussie teen drama has us hooked with its messy relationships, real talk on big issues, and a cast that feels like your mates. Netflix has confirmed Season 3 is coming, but it's the last hurrah for our faves. So, let's dive into the goss—release date rumours, cast updates, and what's brewing for the final season. Release Date Rumors for Heartbreak High Season 3 No official release date yet, but we've got some clues. Season 1 hit screens in September 2022, and Season 2 landed in April 2024—about 18 months apart. With filming done in February 2025, we're guessing Season 3 could drop around August or September 2025. Some fans on X are betting on early 2026, though, since post-production can take a bit. Either way, it's not too far off, so keep your Netflix sub ready! Cast Updates: Who's Returning for Heartbreak High Season 3? The core cast is expected to return to wrap up the students' journeys as they face their final year at Hartley High. Netflix's production wrap announcement confirmed 13 returning stars, including: Ayesha Madon as Amerie Wadia, the bold and outspoken lead navigating love and chaos. James Majoos as Darren Rivers, whose emotional depth and wit keep fans hooked. Chloé Hayden as Quinni Gallagher-Jones, bringing authentic neurodivergent representation. Asher Yasbincek as Harper McLean, Amerie's best friend with a complex backstory. Thomas Weatherall as Malakai Mitchell, whose arc left fans hanging after Season 2. Will McDonald as Ca$h Piggott, exploring asexuality and relationships. Bryn Chapman Parish as Spencer 'Spider' White. Gemma Chua-Tran as Sasha So. Sherry-Lee Watson as Missy Beckett. Brodie Townsend as Ant Vaughn. Chika Ikogwe as Jojo Obah, the supportive teacher. Kartanya Maynard as Zoe Clarke. Rachel House as Principal Stacy 'Woodsy' Woods. There's uncertainty around Josh Heuston as Dusty Reid, who had a reduced role in Season 2 due to scheduling conflicts with Dune: Prophecy . Fans are hopeful for at least a guest appearance. Malakai's return was also in question after his Season 2 move to Geneva, but Thomas Weatherall's inclusion in the wrap video confirms he'll be back, though his screen time is unclear. New characters might join to shake things up, as hinted by past seasons introducing fresh faces like Rowan and Zoe. What to Expect from Heartbreak High Season 3 Season 3 is set to be a banger, with the Hartley High crew facing their final year. Netflix teased a juicy plot: a revenge prank goes totally pear-shaped, and Amerie and her mates have to cover it up or risk losing everything. Sounds like classic Heartbreak High chaos! We're expecting some loose ends from Season 2 to get tied up. Amerie and Malakai's romance is a big one—after that burned love letter, will he finally spill his feelings? Ca$h and Darren's relationship is another hotspot, with Ca$h's asexuality and Darren's needs front and center. Quinni's journey as a neurodivergent school captain is bound to shine, and Harper's got her own demons to face. Carly Heaton, the show's executive producer, told Refinery29 that Season 3 will dig into consequences and class, exploring what it's like to leave high school and step into the unknown. The cast's input, like Chloé Hayden's work on Quinni's arc, keeps it real. Oh, and expect some iconic Aussie touches—think personalized jackets with Aboriginal flags or 'bin chicken' patches for that extra local flavor. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
Sydney Morning Herald
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
How Heartbreak High star found connection through playing dress-ups
When it comes to texture, teddy bears are one of Heartbreak High actor Chloe Hayden's favourite things to touch. 'I don't even know if I could count how many teddy bears I have, probably hundreds. It's ridiculous. Any time I go anywhere that has teddy bears, a theme park, a zoo, an aquarium, I will be purchasing one and I choose it solely based on how soft it is.' It's no surprise then that as guest curator for the first exhibition in new program Powerhouse Materials, vintage teddy bears and an Akira Isogawa bear backpack are among Hayden's picks to display. The actor and disability rights advocate dug through the museum's archives, which include more than 500,000 objects, to come up with her 17 favourite things. Her chosen pieces focus on textiles (the next curator in the program will be children's author Andy Griffiths looking at paper later this year) with Hayden offering a neurodiverse perspective as an autistic person also diagnosed with ADHD. 'Textiles have been such an important part in being able to express my identity,' she says. 'I would always play dress-up in different situations. I grew up selectively verbal and would struggle to speak to the people around me and to connect to the surroundings, so being able to play dress-up was how I was able to find that connection.' Powerhouse Materials: Textiles also offers a glimpse into Hayden's love of horses and cows, with the actor having ridden horses since she was four years old and represented Australia as a professional cowgirl. To show her affinity with the animals, included in the exhibition is a rocking horse, a miniature set of armour for a horse and knight, a cow robot and – her personal favourite – a trio of cow figurines she has nicknamed Margaret, Bertha and Penelope. Best known for her breakthrough role as autistic student Quinni in Netflix's global hit Heartbreak High, a reimagining of the 1990s teen drama, Hayden recently wrapped up filming the still-to-be-released third and final season of the show. The series has received several AACTA Awards and an International Emmy, while Hayden herself this month received a Silver Logie nomination for best supporting actress. Hayden describes Heartbreak High 's approaching end as 'bittersweet'. 'I grew up never seeing myself represented and I found my representation in Disney princesses and fantasy characters. I could never see myself in a real person. Getting the opportunity to be someone who I so desperately needed when I was young is exciting. I receive messages every single day from people who have watched the show and say that they now understand themselves better or their child or friend or sibling or student a bit better. People have gotten their autism diagnoses because of Quinni. Genuine representation is literally life-saving.' For Hayden, the Powerhouse exhibition is a chance for fans of her acting or popular social media presence to get an even more authentic glimpse of her.
The Age
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
How Heartbreak High star found connection through playing dress-ups
When it comes to texture, teddy bears are one of Heartbreak High actor Chloe Hayden's favourite things to touch. 'I don't even know if I could count how many teddy bears I have, probably hundreds. It's ridiculous. Any time I go anywhere that has teddy bears, a theme park, a zoo, an aquarium, I will be purchasing one and I choose it solely based on how soft it is.' It's no surprise then that as guest curator for the first exhibition in new program Powerhouse Materials, vintage teddy bears and an Akira Isogawa bear backpack are among Hayden's picks to display. The actor and disability rights advocate dug through the museum's archives, which include more than 500,000 objects, to come up with her 17 favourite things. Her chosen pieces focus on textiles (the next curator in the program will be children's author Andy Griffiths looking at paper later this year) with Hayden offering a neurodiverse perspective as an autistic person also diagnosed with ADHD. 'Textiles have been such an important part in being able to express my identity,' she says. 'I would always play dress-up in different situations. I grew up selectively verbal and would struggle to speak to the people around me and to connect to the surroundings, so being able to play dress-up was how I was able to find that connection.' Powerhouse Materials: Textiles also offers a glimpse into Hayden's love of horses and cows, with the actor having ridden horses since she was four years old and represented Australia as a professional cowgirl. To show her affinity with the animals, included in the exhibition is a rocking horse, a miniature set of armour for a horse and knight, a cow robot and – her personal favourite – a trio of cow figurines she has nicknamed Margaret, Bertha and Penelope. Best known for her breakthrough role as autistic student Quinni in Netflix's global hit Heartbreak High, a reimagining of the 1990s teen drama, Hayden recently wrapped up filming the still-to-be-released third and final season of the show. The series has received several AACTA Awards and an International Emmy, while Hayden herself this month received a Silver Logie nomination for best supporting actress. Hayden describes Heartbreak High 's approaching end as 'bittersweet'. 'I grew up never seeing myself represented and I found my representation in Disney princesses and fantasy characters. I could never see myself in a real person. Getting the opportunity to be someone who I so desperately needed when I was young is exciting. I receive messages every single day from people who have watched the show and say that they now understand themselves better or their child or friend or sibling or student a bit better. People have gotten their autism diagnoses because of Quinni. Genuine representation is literally life-saving.' For Hayden, the Powerhouse exhibition is a chance for fans of her acting or popular social media presence to get an even more authentic glimpse of her.
