The boys had their big moment on Channel Seven’s The Real Full Monty— and tonight, it was the ladies’ turn.
Agreeing to get their kitt off to raise awareness for breast cancer in a one-night-only TV special, we had the pleasure (and honour) of watching singer Ella Hooper strip off alongside fashionista Nadia Bartel, yoga guru Simone Callahan, singer Casey Donovan, TV presenter Rachael Finch, Home and Away’s Lynne McGranger and swimming legend Lisa Curry.
“If one person goes and gets checked because of the show, I’m happy,” Ella said during the show. “It’s a warm, positive action in the face of something scary and confronting.”
“It’s for a great cause,” Lisa reinforced. “We were happy to do it.”
Ahead of their jaw-dropping performance, WHO sat down with the lovely ladies you saw tonight to chat about why they agreed to strip!
WATCH THE FULL PERFORMANCE: The all-star cast STRIP on Ladies’ Night
Rachael Finch
The former Miss Universe competitor turned TV presenter and wellbeing entrepreneur met her partner, Michael Miziner, after being paired with him on Dancing With the Stars in
2010. Two kids later, he’s her source of strength.
“I used to think, ‘How the hell am I going to pull this off?’ But that changed when I met Misha, my husband. He’s been one of the biggest sources of inspiration,” she said. “He’s taught me a lot about self-confidence and believing in myself.”
What made you want to take part in the body paint shoot?
I think the calendar looks incredible. It’s colourful, it’s bold, it’s courageous, it’s empowering. And every single photo tells a different story. And it was just so beautiful to pick up and not only look at but hear the stories behind it and hear the message behind why Rachelle has started this and what kind of impact she’s trying to make. Hopefully, we can help spread that message.
How does it feel to be so exposed?
Every woman has insecurities about themselves no matter what she looks like. Exposing my everything? I am petrified!
Georgie Parker
As host, the Home and Away star, 54, has high hopes for the special, telling WHO: “I have a feeling it’s going to have a big reach. Learning a dance routine while gearing ourselves up to take our tops off is all about making women’s health and awareness of breast cancer a talking point.”
How did you feel in the body paint?
Fantastic! It was an amazing experience.
How do you feel about your body?
Women are encouraged, in many ways and from an early age, to scrutinise and criticise their bodies. Because of my scoliosis, I learned how to accept my body when I was young. If I’m fit and pain-free, I’m happy.
How do you look after your body?
I love moving. I swim a lot – rain, hail or shine. I cycle, do weights, yoga and Pilates.
Was it confronting to film?
It was confronting simply because we were getting topless, for a few hours might I add, in front of a bunch of people we didn’t know that well. It’s a great icebreaker.
Lynne McGranger
At 66, the Home and Away star is feeling great, telling WHO, “I’m sure I’m now fitter than I was at 40.” While taking to the stage topless was daunting, Lynne says it was worth it: “I love the stage, and I love to dance ‒ we had the best time!”
Did you feel comfortable baring all?
We had so many rehearsals and had to get our bodies painted [repeatedly]. By the time we got to the actual night, we were like ‘Ah, so what?!’
Why did you want to participate?
I’ve never done anything like it before! The ladies who do the calendars came and spoke about the ladies who are in the calendar, some of whom have recovered and some of whom have passed away. That was moving.
How do you feel about your body now?
I knew at an early age I was never going to be Brigitte Bardot or Elle Macpherson. I have long, skinny legs and skinny arms, but I don’t have a tiny waist. If I do carry weight, it’s around my middle, which is the most dangerous place, so I try to stay slim for health. As you get older, things happen. But I am comfortable in my own skin and in my own body.
Ella Hooper
“I’m doing this for my mum,” the Killing Heidi frontwoman, 36, said in a trailer for the TV special, sharing for the first time her mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer. “Knowing my mum is going to be in the audience, I’m doing it for her.”
Have you done anything like this before?
I have done things like this for fun, especially in my teens. It reminds me of my friends and me painting ourselves green and doing a mermaid-inspired photoshoot down by a local waterhole!
How do you feel about your body generally?
I’ve been guilty of body bashing myself in the past. I’m now much kinder and more patient with my body, health and happiness being my main concern for it rather than how it looks. Having said that I am pretty happy with how it looks too!
Is there anything you do specifically for your health and fitness?
Not really! I’m pretty relaxed. But I’m never strict. Balance is the best.
Simone Callahan
The former wife of cricketing legend Shane Warne feels more ready than ever to bare all. “My body confidence has never been great,” admits the mum-of-three, 49. “But as I’ve got older, I’ve learnt to embrace it more.”
How did you feel about posing in the body paint?
I was excited. It’s such an art, and it was amazing to see what they created on our bodies. I’ve never had anything like it done on my body before.
How do you feel about your body?
I’ve noticed a lot of difference in its strength since I’ve been practising yoga every day. It makes a difference with more muscle tone and strength.
What do you want from the show?
I’m hoping the show makes women more aware of how important it is to keep an eye on your breasts and have them checked out. And we should all do home checks by looking in the mirror for changes in shape and feeling for lumps regularly.
Nadia Bartel
The former AFL WAG, 34, has had her personal life exposed in the media after the end of her marriage to Jimmy Bartel amid allegations of an affair with another woman.
Stripping down just four months after giving birth to their second son Henley (son Aston is 3) was relatively easy for the Instagram star and fashion label owner.
She drew strength from the survivor stories of Rachelle Panitz, Founder and Managing Director of So Brave, and Tina Doueihi, who has modelled for the calendar and is an ambassador for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
What moved you to take part in the show?
Their stories were beautiful and just so incredible. You don’t realise that [breast cancer] can affect so many young women aswell – and neither of those women have a family history, either.
What did you think when you saw the calendar?
I thought the calendar was amazing; I’ve never seen anything like it. These women decked out in paint – it looks like a big piece of art.
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