‘I’M NOT HOLDING BACK’
THE NEW HOUSEWIVES WILL NEED TO WORK HARD TO IMPRESS THIS QUEEN
In her usual self-deprecating way, Janet Roach tells New Idea she had no qualms about returning to The Real Housewives of Melbourne without her popular co-stars, Gina Liano and Lydia Schiavello.
“Look, I’m the oldest housewife, so I thought I better get another season in before I die!” laughs the 63-year-old.
While fans will feel the absence of the series stalwarts in Season 5, Janet assures there’s still plenty of drama – mainly due to four new bombshell housewives.
While Janet denies she’s the new top dog, insisting pregnant pal and psychic, Jackie Gillies, has that role in the bag, the blonde glamazon says she’s certainly not rolling over.
“I didn’t let anyone get to me, I didn’t hold back and I said it like I meant it,” assures Janet.
She adds that newcomer Kyla Kirkpatrick, aka the ‘Champagne Dame’, was the first housewife to ruffle her feathers.
“We have known each other for 10 years, but Kyla just sort of came straight at me from day one,” says Janet, who teases the newbie had “bitten off more than she could chew” by making enemies.
Interestingly, Janet – who runs successful tea brand, Raw Essentials, with her sons Jake and Paul – says that Kyla and the new housewives were often out of their depth.
“They’re an interesting bunch … [they] all had managers or publicists – some were even actors,” tells Janet.
“Cherry, she’s an actress… Kyla even thought she could play director along the way and would yell ‘cut’ during filming – you just don’t do that,” snipes Janet.
Hinting at a further divide, Janet says she found the new girls “kept to themselves” during press days and throughout breaks in filming.
While Janet’s “excited” for fans to see the popular show after a near two-year hiatus, she says she’s the happiest she’s ever been and more loved-up than ever with her partner, Sam Gance.
“It’s a great season, lots of fun, plenty of ups and downs – I’m proud of it!”