Laugh a minute
BEST FRIENDS KADAY AND CHANTEL ARE THRILLED TO BE BACK ON SCREEN
We’ve loved watching best friends Kaday Kamara and Chantel Bakac laughing together as they give viewers their unique take on everything from reality TV to news, after they joined Gogglebox last year. But it’s their day jobs which has made them even more crucial to Australia as the pandemic continues to wreak havoc.
Kaday, who came to Australia as a refugee from Sierre Leone, is a nurse in a busy Sydney hospital’s emergency department. Chantel combines studying for her social work degree with her role as youth ambassador for Headspace.
Chantel says she’s noted a real upswing in mental health issues in the youth she speaks with.
“There’s a lot of grief – whether it’s in the traditional sense from loved ones passing away and not being able to be there,” she tells Midweek Binge Guide. “But also what I’ve been hearing from young people is that there’s a lot of grief in missing out of experiences, such as their gap year or even just they are turning 18 and can’t go out with their friends for the first time.
“Many young people are struggling with feelings of isolation. I think that loneliness is often seen as being experienced by the older generation but younger people are feeling it too and it can be quite debilitating.”
SOCIALLY MINDED
Chantel – who prefers the term physical distancing because it’s important to not be socially distant – advises young people to stay connected whether through Zoom, watch parties or social media.
“The key is to be flexible – just as Gogglebox is demonstrating,” she says. “We’ve got old friends back, we’ve got others who can’t be part (of it). Some are Zooming in, some are on their couches. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s working out what helps you.
“Social media might be really helpful for you right now to stay connected, but for others it might be triggering.”
Chantel prefers a good, oldfashioned phone call herself.
“I think people forget that is an option – we’re so used to texting and emojis and all that – it’s just good to hear someone’s voice.”
Kaday, who lives on her own, feels privileged to be able to care for the people who come through her ED’s doors.
“With Covid, people have less income coming in, which has resulted in high rates of depression,” she shares.
“It’s been busy – I’m very privileged to use my skills and knowledge to help the vulnerable through this difficult time.”
BACK TO WORK
Kaday also feels very grateful to be going to work – even though it’s exhausting.
“It would be so difficult if I had to stay at home – I’m very bad at technology – and I’m a face-to-face person,” she says. “I like to interact with people so I chose the best profession for that.
“I really need that human interaction at work. And I work with the most incredible clinicians, my team is great. You go to work happy. No matter how busy it is, no matter how many patients, you work together as a team. People care about you and you are never left on your own.”
She is, however, missing going out dancing with her mates.
“All I used to do was work and dance – now it’s just work,” Kaday says, with her infectious laugh. “But when I get home after work, I am dancing all the time. Whenever I have days off, I’m dancing. My neighbours know me thankfully. They say ‘we understand, we’ve been your age’. I’m happy about that, they’re not asking me to stop. They just let me dance it out.”
Kaday’s also missed having Chantel living above her. So she’s excited the pair will be reunited via Zoom for this season of Gogglebox.
FAMILIAR FACES
Best friends Adam Densten and Symon Lovett will return to the format, with Sydney’s Delpechitra and Elias families not able to take part because they live in LGAs which are in complete lockdown.
The Silbery clan will also return, although 93-year-old Emmie and daughter Kerry will be on the family couch while granddaughter Isabelle will join by Zoom. Matty and Sarah-Marie Fahd, along with son Malik, will be at home with friend Jad on Zoom. Couple Mick and Di also return, as do Lee and Keith, besties Anastasia and Faye, foodies Tim and Leanne, surfing mates Milo and Nic, and the Dalton family.
Chantel sometimes pinches herself that she is on the show.
She’s been an avid viewer since the first season. “My mum was like ‘this is stupid – what a stupid concept’, but then we got hooked and kept watching,” she recalls.
PERFECT FIT
Kaday laughs as she admits she’s perfect for Gogglebox. “People are always telling me to shut up when I’m watching TV,” she confesses.
“I’m always talking. I was worried when I was first being filmed that I would be too much. I was worrying how to balance that. Now I’m so much better at being myself and having fun.”
Gogglebox has garnered a strong fan base, so the girls are often recognised in their day jobs. Kaday hoped masks would make that happen less often, but her excitable tones are recognised, as is Chantel’s wild hair, if it’s not pulled back in a ponytail.
They both love that production on the Logie-winning show has been able to resume.
“I think a lot of people enjoy it because when you turn on the TV, it’s a lot of Covid, Covid, Covid so it’s a good distraction for people,” Chantel says. “I just feel really lucky to be able to do it.”
Gogglebox returns 7.30pm September 8, on Foxtel