Kristy Wright played the beloved Home & Away character Chloe Richards from 1995-1999 as a reoccurring character, and graced us with a further performance in 2005. Chloe’s time on the television series was characterised by both gritty and triumphant storylines, making her a solid fan-favourite amongst the viewers. Let’s recap the time Chloe spent in Summer Bay and discuss where Kristy Wright is now!
When did Chloe Richards first appear on Home & Away ?
Chloe Richards first arrived in Summer Bay on the 28th of June 1995. We were introduced to her when she is shown working on a school project with rebellious bad boy Jack Wilson (played by former actor Daniel Amalm). They started dating, but Chloe’s father, Max (played by Rob Steele) opposes their relationship because of Jack’s Lebanese heritage. Chloe ran away after being physically abused by Max, and by the time she returned to Summer Bay, Jack was dating his foster sister Sally Fletcher, played by Australia’s sweetheart Kate Ritchie.
What happened to Chloe on Home & Away?
One of Chloe’s most memorable moments on Home & Away was her sexual assault after the end of year HSC party. Chloe was walking along the beach alone after the party when she was attacked by a man that she could not initially identify. The trauma of the event causes Chloe to cut her hair short and have graphic nightmares about shooting her boyfriend Curtis.
After Chloe and Curtis called time on their relationship, Chloe started to get counselling from Brad Cooper (played by Bruce Samazan). Chloe developed feelings for Brad which were reciprocated, and they went away for Christmas. What Chloe didn’t know is that Brad was really the one responsible for her assault on the beach. When the truth came out, Chloe tried to escape. Brad chased after her, but caught his leg in a dog trap he had intended to use to keep Chloe from fleeing. Brad was arrested, need his leg amputated and was taken to a psychiatric hospital and Chloe was finally able to move on from this dark chapter of her life.
Chloe also gave birth to a daughter, Olivia Fraser Richards, who was played by various actresses and appeared in Home & Away until 2018. When Olivia’s father Lachlan Fraser died from a brain tumour, Chloe and her daughter left Summer Bay in search of a fresh start. They returned in 2005, on the run from Chloe’s abusive boyfriend Troy Peters. Following a car crash, Chloe suffers from an embolism and dies with her foster mother Irene by her bedside.
Did Kristy enjoy her time on Home & Away?
Kristy initially had a hard time adjusting to her new found fame as Chloe Richards. In the early days, she was once even harassed by a group of teenagers in a shopping mall. “So I just steer clear of places where young people hang out,” she told The Sun-Herald in the wake of the incident. ” Shopping centres, McDonald’s, cinema strips… Going out for dinner’s fine but I haven’t been shopping for a long time.” Thankfully, this seemed to be an isolated incident, with Kristy thoroughly enjoying her time on Home & Away. She didn’t hesitate to return to the role of Chloe Richards in 2005, and was a little saddened to discover that Chloe was destined to die. “When they asked me to come back for those few weeks I was really excited,” she said interview with The Daily Edition. “When I saw that I was going to die I was like, ‘Ohhhhh, OK, I guess that closes that really important chapter in my life.”
How old is Kristy Wright?
Kristy Wright was born on the 14th of July 1978, so she will turn 41 this year – not that she looks a day over 25!
How did Kristy Wright get her big break on Home & Away?
As a young girl, Kristy sent in her photo to a competition run by Keane Kids Studio. First prize was a year’s worth of acting classes, which Kristy won. These classes prepared her for work in the industry, and her first role was a small part on Police Rescue.
After working as a background extra on Home & Away for a few series, Kristy was asked to join the cast as Chloe Richards. Here she is as an extra, meeting her future boyfriend Jack about a year ahead of schedule! Whoops!
Does Kristy Wright have siblings?
Kristy is the oldest child, with three younger step-brothers and two younger half-sisters.
Has Kristy Wright been in any other television shows?
Aside from Home & Away, Kristy has also starred in
- Police Rescue
- Chuck Finn
- Above the Law
- The Lost World
- Something in the Air
- Crash Palace
- Corridors of Power
- BeastMaster
- White Collar Blue
- The Alice
Kristy has also appeared in several movies, including Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith where she played handmaiden Moteé. Her other feature film credits include:
- Enemies Closer
- Sweet Dreams
- The Crop
- Wrong Answer
- Ravenswood
- Stranded Pearl (post production)
- Christmas Down Under (post production)
Here’s Kristy celebrating the fact that a Star Wars doll of Moteé exists – we can only dream of having a doll made of us!
Does Kristy Wright have children?
Kristy Wright is mum to Jai, who was born on the 8th of August 2013. However, Jai’s arrival was not all smooth sailing. After an emergency caesarean, Jai was born 27 weeks premature. Kristy didn’t get to see her baby for 15 hours after his birth because he was rushed away for intensive care. Doctors at Los Angeles Cedars Senai Hospital didn’t know if Jai would make it. Against all odds, Jai survived and is now a healthy boy, living back in Australia with Kristy.
Is Kristy Wright on Instagram?
Yes, you can find Kristy on Instagram as @i.am.kristy.wright. Don’t expect many bikini pictures or images of cosmetic procedures though – Kristy’s Instagram is all about the love she has for her adorable son.
We look forward to watching Kristy once her two latest projects Stranded Pearl and Christmas Down Under grace our screens.