Authentic is a word that gets bandied around a lot these days but it is the perfect description for Julia Morris.
For more than 30 years, she’s connected on stage and screens with Australian audiences. Often, she’s laid bare her own struggles in life and how she found a way through them with laughter.
Just before she headed back to the jungle for her 11th season of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, WHO caught up with the irrepressible entertainer for a private audience.
From her favourite contestant to how she seems to be ageing in reverse, Morris had us in stitches. So, brace yourself for some life lessons, LOLs, and tips on how to handle people who need to keep their opinions to themselves.
How are you?
I’m incredible. Just feeding the dog, Kenny. The lovely Ken. He’s so sweet. He’s my life partner. He never lets me down. He’s the perfect partner. He’s absolutely gorgeous, sleeps on the other side of the bed, far away. He couldn’t be more perfect.
What else is happening?
My eldest [daughter Ruby] just graduated from Year 12.
Congratulations! I didn’t get the best ATAR marks, but it was still the most exciting time of my life.
Me neither! Mine are framed up on the wall – 198 out of 500.
And look at you now!
I know. I’m a little scruffy fighter.
On the cast…
Do you know ahead of time which celebrities have made the cut for each season of I’m a Celeb?
I don’t find out until we get there. We have a bit of a tradition that we’ve had since year one, where the day after we arrive we have a bit of a ceremony and one-by-one the clues are revealed! And I like to hear the full cast list at once.
You must have a dream cast in mind? Even one that would never, ever happen?
That’s a great question. You know, I don’t think I could ever handle the jungle, so I’ve never wanted to thrust that upon anyone else. When the cast comes out every single time I always think, ‘That was genius – I never would have thought of that person.’ Sometimes they’ll suggest someone or there’s a friend that asks me to put in a good word for them, but often if there’s someone I suggest they never get put in. I don’t have a dream cast as such because it’s such an intense experience.
On her favourite contestants…
And do you have a favourite contestant of all time?
That’s hard because they’re all my babies. I think it might be King Miguel [Maestre]. I also loved that Warney [Shane Warne] agreed to do the show [in 2016]. He wanted to make his kids laugh.
Shane was fabulous because he was so open and honest. People have always said he was such a wonderful person, so all of Australia got to see that, too.
He was incredible … incredibly generous with letting us in and letting us get to know him. Absolutely nothing like I thought. No wonder he was universally adored, but the same with Miguel. During Miguel’s reign and during that season [Season 6], I was like, ‘You are the real deal.’ He is a proper gentleman of note and his natural instinct was to protect those around him. If I needed to write a list of what a man should be like, I’d look to the qualities of Miguel. He’s an exceptional human being.
On co-host Robert Irwin…
This will be Robert Irwin’s second season co-hosting. You must be excited to get back on set with him.
Oh. My. God. We are excited to get back. Also, I know for Robert, he and his family have a couple of charities that they’ve been supporting for decades in the area where we actually shoot, so he already knew that area very well.
The Irwins are an amazing family.
They are absolutely magnificent, speaking of magnificent humans.
Can you tell us what you guys get up to when you’re not filming?
I’m face down. I sleep like I’m in a coma, because we’re churning such high-octane personality hours. So when you do get home at the end of the day you’re empty.
It’s fair to say that you are on the more pleasant side of the jungle. How do you prepare for your trip?
I try to get a little bit fitter, because the fitter you are, the easier the job. And some years I just get to it. Can I lose 2kg?
Julia, you don’t need body prep time!
It’s heart fit. It’s not like I need to be slimmer, but we’re walking up hills. I’m already standing next to someone who’s 21, I don’t need to be puffing like I’m going to have a heart attack! You’ve got to be a bit fitter to handle the pace.
Finding happiness
You do seem to be ageing in reverse. You always look fabulous!
I like that! I think I’m getting happier and happier – that’s why.
So, what makes you happy?
HRT. HRT makes me happy.
For our readers out there who don’t know what HRT is, can you explain?
Hormone Replacement Therapy (laughs). Let me tell you. At 56 years, I’ve only just discovered that I’m allowed to have it. This year I’m just like, ‘Oh, my god. Wait for Lady J 2.0.’ It’s absolutely outstanding, I don’t even recognise myself.
On ageing…
You’re well and truly flourishing both personally and professionally.
I think the invisible stuff in your 50s is just dissolving away. I think it’s been proven time and time again that it’s just not true anymore.
Just look at Nicole Kidman – she’s never worked more!
Absolutely! And we can see those years of experience and years of that excellence. It’s great that we’re seeing more and more women being represented. Now we have to see if that carries through in our 60s. Women are in their power years. We’ve been told to shut up for so long, and we do reach that point where we don’t want to shut up anymore. Stand-by for all my thoughts.
Women with age, their opinions are absolutely valuable.
I might not know what the latest TikTok dance is, but I fought for your right to be able to do it in a bikini top. This is an exciting point of life. And you know what? I only schooled someone this morning.
(I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here premieres Sunday, January 19 at 7 pm on Network 10)
