With 16 years in the modelling industry in Australia and abroad, April Rose Pengilly didn’t expect to find her happy place in front of a TV camera on the set of Neighbours.
The 31-year-old star, who plays Chloe Brennan, opens up to WHO about growing up in the public eye, her responsibility as a role model and finding the time to treat herself well.
WATCH: April Rose Pengilly shares what ‘beautiful’ means to her
How do you define the word “beautiful”?
I think beauty is defined by just being the best person you can be, being kind to others and having confidence in yourself. I think those qualities will shine out of you.
When do you feel most beautiful?
I actually feel most beautiful with no makeup, when I’ve got great skin care, and I’ve been looking after myself, and just kind of respecting myself in that way. I think it shows when you’ve been taking care of yourself.

What’s one thing you love about your job on Neighbours?
The fans – they are so lovely and supportive and have really encouraged me to open up more.
I’m quite a private person, but they’ve sort of made me feel more comfortable letting more of my personality through and just being myself and kind of letting the world see what a goofball I actually am.
Whereas before I was probably trying to make sure I came across a certain way and … In turn, what I hear from them, is that I make them feel like they can be themselves more.
A lot of your fans are at a very impressionable age – do you feel responsible when you post on social media?
I do, but I always have. My mum raised me to be very aware of that. I think that’s probably why I was cautious about my image.
Because my mum was like, “You don’t wanna be a girl that’s going out every night or setting a bad example.”
So, I’ve just sort of been raised that way, with a good moral compass and always trying to set a good example and be a good person and that kind of thing.
And strive for that – so I do feel a responsibility, but hopefully I’m a good role model.
