‘I WAS TERRIFIED TO DO THIS!’
The actress and model wanted to be homeless so she could help shed a light on the predicament of many Aussies
Ellie Gonsalves is one of five high-profile Australians who have agreed to swap their privileged lifestyles for 10 days of being homeless in Filthy Rich & Homeless. Model and actress Ellie, who is also a longstanding ambassador for Australia Zoo, tells Woman’s Day she was frightened by the idea at first but is grateful for the insightful opportunity to be on the heartwrenching show.
This show addresses some very raw realities of everyday Australians.
What made you want to take part in the series?
At first I was very closed off to the idea – it was terrifying to think of being on the street for 10 days. But after thinking about it, I realised I do have a voice and a platform to be able to create change within our society. We’re a product of our experiences and I feel that we can’t help people without understanding their experience first.
What are some effective ways people can help homeless communities?
This experience has given me an incredible insight into what it’s like to feel invisible and I have realised how much of a difference it makes for those sleeping rough to be acknowledged day to day and to be treated like human beings. Just for us as a community to have a little le more kindness and compassion towards one e another instead of coming ng to our own conclusions as to o why we think people are sleeping rough would go o a long way because it can happen to anyone.
What were some misconceptions about homelessness that you learned about throughout the process of filming?
I always thought homelessness was not a problem in our country because I believed we had the resources to help p those
who are struggling, but to then find out that when I’m on the street there are not nearly enough solutions in place to help me get back on my feet, especially if I were running from domestic or sexu sexual violence – that’s a pr problem I never thought wou would exist in Australia.
On t top of this project, you’re also an ambassador for Wildlife Wi Warriors charity and a Australia Zoo. How H did you get involved i with the Irwins’ amazing a organisation?
I was originally introduced t to Terri through a friend of mine about 10 years ago now. My friend was only in the country for a few days and had always wanted to go to Australia Zoo, so while in town Terri invited us there and we did a huge tour of the zoo and the Wildlife Hospital. I was almost in tears walking through the hospital, seeing all of the animals they were treating and found out some shocking statistics about our wildlife population. So, with the little yet positive influence I had on social media (way back then!) I had a meeting with the team and became a global Wildlife Warriors ambassador as I wanted to do whatever I could to share the message and work that they do.
Terri, Bindi and Bob have done such an amazing job at continuing Steve’s legacy. What are they like to work with?
The Irwins have been such an inspiration to me and have been like family to my partner Ross [Scutts, her partner of 12 years] and I over the last 10 years. They’re the most genuinely beautiful and hilarious people I know and I’m lucky to have them in my life! I’ve been there watching Bindi grow up over the last 10 years so it’s hard not to see her like a little sister, but at the same time she could also be like an older sister because she’s so mature beyond her years and so wise! I’m really proud of the person she is – she inspires me every day and I can’t believe she and Chandler beat my partner and I down the aisle!
You’ve worked with the likes of Dwayne Johnson and Khloe Kardashian. Do you ever get nervous when you meet such megastars?
I do have little moments where I think: I grew up on acreage in Australia with animals, so far away from all of this and now here I am doing this amazing movie or campaign with this person so it’s actually very grounding when
I get to meet and work with people who are at the top of their game.