Noni Hazelhurst has been a beloved face on Australian television for decades, experiencing both the highs and lows of being in the entertainment industry.
Those highs include over 20 years as a Play School presenter, 10 years hosting Better Homes and Gardens, and a decorated resume of features on movies and television series.
But the lows saw Noni hiding her true self to fit the roles others expected her to be, and she is yet another woman to have experienced a MeToo moment.
Noni joins Antoinette Lattouf on The Weekend Briefing and discusses, for the first time, the time when a senior entertainment executive locked her in a room, changing her perspective forever.
“I think it’s empowering for all women, for stories to be told. For too long, we felt, ‘look, no one will believe us’ or ‘we won’t get further work,” Noni said on The Weekend Briefing.
“I’m wary of the fact that our industry is focused on just because we’re well known. I think these things happen in every workplace. I don’t think it’s exclusive to show business.”
Antoinette then asked Noni if she ever considered sharing anything she had experienced in the business.
“No, because the power imbalance is so great when you’re 22, and some 40-year-old bloke is locking you in a dressing room saying, ‘I’m going to teach you about comedy timing’ as the key turns in the door,” she said.
“That’s what happened to me, but I screamed and he let me out, but I got sacked two weeks later.”
Noni shares much more in this deeply personal and reflective conversation, opening up about her journey to self-discovery. Listen to the full chat now here.
Noni Hazelhurst’s memoir, Dropping the Mask, is available now on the HarperCollins website.
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