Jennifer Hawkins leaked as new host of Australia’s Next Top Model ahead of live announcement
Ad promoting the announcement before Jennifer Hawkins’ name was leaked
Foxtel is to announce Jennifer Hawkins as the new presenter of Australia’s Next Top Model, reports website TV Tonight.
The announcement of a replacement for Sarah Murdoch had been intended as a major live media event being promoted with full page ads in the Sunday papers urging fans of the show to tune in at 8.10am on Monday for a simultaneous announcement on Fox8, 2Day FM, news.com.au and fox8.tv.
But TV Tonight broke the news today, saying: “Hawkins has eclipsed other front runners for the job including Project Runway Australia‘s Megan Gale along with other rumoured names including Miranda Kerr, Nicole Trunfio and Liz Hurley.”
The leak to TV Tonight ahead of tomorrow’s broadcast is the third live mishap to hit the Fox8 show which did not air last year because it could not find a suitable replacement for Murdoch.
Murdoch’s most infamous moment with the show was when she disastrously announced the wrong winner.
And her predecessor Jodhi Meares refused to host the live finale of the fourth series at the last moment after being panned for her performance in the third final which included her getting so caught up in consoling the loser that she forgot to talk to the winner, leaving judge Charlotte Dawson to fill in.
Dawson said in her autobiography: “Immeditaely after the announcement was made, Jodhi turned her back to the cameras to console the losing contestant instead of closing the show by standing between the girls. Instinctively, I had leapt in front of the camera, read the prepared autocue and closed the show.
“Suffice to say when it was revealed that the following seasons’s finale would not only be live, it would be held at Luna Park in front of a few thousand people, Ms Meares was distinctly and pant-crappingly uncomfortable with the idea.”
November 19 update: Foxtel has confirmed that Hawkins is the new host in a statement:
Foxtel announced today that Jennifer Hawkins will host the much-anticipated brand new season of Australia’s Next Top Model only on FOX8 in 2013.
The stunning model and hugely successful brand ambassador and businesswoman will commence filming in January on the eighth instalment of the popular reality series.
Jennifer Hawkins said: “When Foxtel approached me to host Australia’s Next Top Model I was so excited. To me, this is an awesome opportunity to be part of an iconic TV show and I can’t wait for production to start.”
With long term modelling contracts and prestige ambassador roles across some of Australia’s biggest brands, Jennifer is one of the most in demand and popular working models in Australia.
Foxtel Executive Director of Television Brian Walsh said: “We are thrilled to bring Australia’s Next Top Model back to Australian television screens with such a star as Jennifer. Jennifer represents everything all models aspire to be. She’s successful, popular, hardworking and has truly made her mark in this country.
“As our new host, she will bring her own personal experience, style and brand to the series, giving the aspiring contestants a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from one of the best.”
Australia’s Next Top Model has been the number one series on Foxtel for the last five consecutive years. The new series, produced by Shine Australia, will air exclusively on FOX8 in 2013, and girls interested in auditioning can register now at www.FOX8.TV or facebook.com/fox8.
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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Crazy, should have been Meagan Gale – she actually was a top international model.
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