ROVE, ROBBIE AND
The red carpet for the Australian version of the Oscars was a kaleidoscope of Hollywood A-listers, emerging film and TV talent and rising social media creatives.
The Gold Coast Bulletin’s PORTIA LARGE got up close and personal with everyone from homegrown powerhouse Margot Robbie to Rove McManus, Aisha Dee and more. Read the highlights.
MARGOT ROBBIE
The stunning homegrown Alister arrived on the red carpet in a sparkly Vivienne Westwood gown, saying she was happy to be back on the Gold Coast - and to be here for the AACTA awards was “very surreal”.
“I know every inch of the Gold Coast,” she said, adding the last time she was “this dolled up” was for her year 12 formal on the Gold Coast.
“I love the Gold Coast,” Robbie said. “Every time I come, I think I can’t believe I ever left. It’s the best place on earth. I feel more grounded than ever when I’m back home. I’m with friends and family and everything I know is around me.”
DANNY & MICHAEL PHILIPPOU
The twins behind giant YouTube horror comedy channel RackaRacka who went on to win a swag of awards including ‘Best Direction’ for their scary movie Talk To Me urged people wanting to create to just start and they’d get better as they go.
“It’s so exciting people can express themselves and find their audience and connect to people around the world,” Danny (above, right) said. Michael added: “And sidestep that typical funding thing and do their own thing. That’s what’s cool about YouTube. You can be yourself and be authentic.” Asked what he was most scared of about the horror genre - Danny quipped: “Having to work with Michael for the rest of my life.”
ROVE MCMANUS
The triple Gold Logie-winner was looking sharp in a black tux. The award-winning comedian, television and radio presenter said his favourite big or small screen moment in 2023 was the Bluey cricket episode.
“That was quite amazing. To pull at the heart strings while teaching Americans how to play cricket in seven minutes. That’s genius,” he said. Mr McManus (above) said the AACTA awards was a great place to recognise people making moves. “How someone like Margot Robbie would feel at the afterparty next to someone off of TikTok, that’s not for me to answer,” he said. “But it’s great to acknowledge those approaching the future of the media or art but they are coming at it from a different pathway.”
HARRY CONNICK JR
The super-selling American singer, actor and piano player said he could see Australia with its booming entertainment industry becoming a
“base” for his family.