50 SHADES OF TIM ROBARDS
Our Straight Mate this month is a former DNA cover boy, now Neighbours star.
DNA: Congratulations on transitioning from a guest role to a regular on Neighbours.
Tim Robards: Thank you! I did six months of training in the lead up… I learned a lot quickly. It was actually quite nerve-racking but I was invited back, which is very flattering.
Your character, Pierce Greyson, has been described as a cross between Christian Grey (50 Shades) and Harvey Specter (Suits). Originally the character had a very brief background. He was a Christian Grey type with a lot of money, possibly billions, and a worldwide wine conglomerate, but that was all. Being Mr Perfect and Mr Money is kind of boring, so I had to discover what makes Pierce tick. I’m fleshing him out and he’s got some demons…
Is he going to… spank someone?
(Laughs) Well, we do have a PG rating, so you never know!
Was acting something you always aspired to? In a way. I was Keanu Reeves body double in The Matrix, which was the first time I’d ever been on a film set. It was exciting and inspiring but the thought of acting, back then, was far from my mind. I grew up in Newcastle; Dad’s an accountant and Mum’s a nurse, so I don’t come from a creative background. But over the years I’ve been drawn to acting with all these little omens saying I should give it a go. I spent nine years at uni studying for a degree, and I got to a point where I figured I was financially okay to move into this. I thought if I don’t do it now, I’ll regret it.
How did the Keanu Reeves gig happen?
I was doing a bit of modelling at the time and decided to cast for it. It wasn’t about having any particular skills, more the look, height and body shape. It was cool and I got to meet Keanu. At one stage on set I was watching the monitors, poking my head in between these two guys, when a lady came up behind me, tapped me and said, “Hey, you better get away from there or they’re gonna tell you to fuck off!” It turned out they were the directors, the Wachowski Brothers! [The siblings have since transitioned and are now The Wachowskis, Lana and Lilly.]
Apart from Neighbours, you’ve done I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, Dancing With The Stars, Ninja Warrior and the original Bachelor, but way back in 2006 you were on the cover of DNA #74. Yes! Back then I had a strong connection to the gay world. I also did a shoot for the Mardi Gras poster with a mirror ball, and I kind of became the face of Mardi Gras.
Thirteen years ago it was still unusual for a straight man to be on a gay magazine cover, not to mention the Mardi Gras poster. Did you cop any flack?
Not really. Most of my Sydney mates were all pretty understanding. Maybe the shot in pink with the mirror ball might have… but I think anyone, straight or gay, would cop a bit for that! (Laughs) Everyone was good and I was happy with my own sexuality back then.
You still look just as good! What’s your best grooming tip?
Thanks! I believe you’ve got to make and effort with your skin. You need a little bit of sunlight for vitamin D, and whatever you put on your skin, you should also be happy to put in your mouth. I’m the face of Handsome Skin Care and they aim to be as naturally organic as they can. Do you have a best gay mate?
Oh many. My friend Anthony Whitlock is one of my longer-term gay mates who I met when I was around 21. He came to my wedding last year. He’s a flight attendant and does a bit of DJing around Sydney. He’s been a good friend for many years.
You’ve been to a few gay clubs in your time! Oh, yes! I’ve been at Stonewall dancing on the tables with my shirt off, and one year I did Toybox, too!
Who would you turn gay for?
Arnold Schwarzenegger or The Rock. I can’t really look at a guy in a sexual way, but I can think he’s got a great rig.
What song gets you on the dance floor?
I love something upbeat like Pharrell Williams’ Blurred Lines [with Robin Thicke] or Get Lucky, which he did with Daft Punk.
And your music diva?
I like Britney Spears, but I can’t go past Madonna from back in the Eighties and Nineties. Like A Prayer is one of her best, but can George Michael be a diva, too?
Of course! He was definitely a diva who we all loved to bits.
Well, he’s my second diva. I went to his concert. It was super-expensive and I expected dancers and all that, but he just got up and sang. I love his music.
Have you ever had a wardrobe malfunction? Plenty! In fact, I was at the gym last week with my wife, Anna doing squats and I blew the arse out of my pants! I had to finish the rest of the session with my bum hanging out. Anna was trying to record it on her phone and I’m like,