GO BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM LIVE
STARRING: Meshel Laurie, Gretel Killeen, Jacqui Lambie
Imagine leaving the comfort and protection of your home to find yourself on a perilous journey across the seas, or facing authorities in a detention centre. In the upcoming season of Go Back to Where You Came From, that is exactly what a group of famous Australians and everyday people will face. Hosted by Ray Martin and Janice Petersen, the three-part special will see the participants sent to conflict hot spots as they experience the refugee crisis first-hand.
Radio presenter Meshel Laurie is one such brave celebrity who will be taking on the challenge. And, for the first time ever, the show will be filmed live. “That’s the least nerve-racking thing for me,” she tells WHO. “Twenty years ago live television was the scariest thing, but now I am really looking forward to it.”
However, the 42-year-old admits she won’t be letting her two children watch the show live as she doesn’t want them to worry. “I want them to watch it when I’m home with them,” she says. “My daughter is worried about me, which is making it really hard to go.”
Of course, Laurie also has some reservations about the potential dangers she faces. “I wasn’t scared until about three days ago,” she reveals. “All of a sudden I am quite panicked and really frightened.”
But there is one thing that really has the media personality shaking in her boots: the toilet. “I’m always scared about the toilet wherever I go,” she laughs. “I have 15 rolls of toilet paper in my bag and I can’t fit anything else in there.”
All joking aside, Laurie, who has always been an advocate for refugees, says the show is already challenging her views. “It has made me think more seriously about what exactly it is I’m advocating for,” she says.
While Laurie has a daunting experience ahead of her, she feels it is important to share the stories and experiences of refugees. “It’s two weeks of my life,” she says. “But these people live in refugee camps for years and they don’t know when it’s ever going to end.” (Airs on Tues., Oct. 2 at 8.30pm; SBS)