Post by Cornwallgirl on Mar 6, 2007 12:46:52 GMT 1
Steph's Big Move
Neighbours beauty Steph McIntosh is following in her brother's footsteps...straight to the UK!
So, Steph, you're finishing up on Neighbours in a couple of months.
I am. I'm so sad, it's been four years. I kind of feel it's been a really great four years, but I'm ready for new challenges. It's all very emotional though. I'm feeling everything: sad, nervous, excited...
Well, it is exciting! We hear you're heading off to the UK to launch your album there.
That's the immediate plan. If I don't go now, then I pretty much won't get another shot at taking my music over there. I've only got one go at this, so hopefully it will all be alright.
Do you know yet where you'll live and base yourself?
Not yet. I'll probably have my mum or dad come over with me for a little bit, to hold my hand. I'll almost certainly end up living with my brother, Jason (Donovan, former Neighbours star and singer).
Having done the exact same thing 17 years ago, Jason will be able to give you some advice, right?
Yeah, exactly!
Will he be keeping a stern brotherly eye on you?
He's going to get protective if he has to, but because we haven't lived together for so long and we're 17 years apart, we're more like good mates. He's been very supportive while all my music stuff was happening over the last 12 months.
He's got a family of his own now, doesn't he? Sounds like it could be a full house!
He does. He's got two little ones (Jemma, six, and Zach, five). They'll keep me grounded while I'm over there. It'll be great to spend time with them.
Are you ready for the media onslaught that comes with launching your music in the UK? They can be pretty ferocious.
I am. I had a bit of a whirlwind in Australia, but then got embraced as well. I fell as though I've had a good dose of the bad side, as well as the good. I'm aware that everyone has their own opinions. Not everyone has to like it, so the ones that do - awesome, bring it on!
Jason has had big highs but even bigger lows in his career. (In 1999, his public battle with drugs made headlines both here and in the UK.) Has he been able to caution you about some of the darker aspects of fame and the music industry?
He's told me that it's hard, and that you've got to work hard. He has basically said that being happy is the key to it all. If I'm not actually enjoying it, then I should stop doing it.
There have been a few people from Neighbours who have headed to the UK recently, like Ben Nicholas who plays Stingray. Will you catch up with him?
Actually, Ben rang the green room the other day, and I had a quick chat to him. But we're very close. He's like my little brother in real life, so we'll definitely be catching up when I get over there.
What about Delta Goodrem? Could she give you some advice?
Delta and I never really worked (on Neighbours) together. We don't really know each other that well. We kind of missed the boat with each other in that respect - she was finishing just as I started.
Will you be leaving your boyfriend, AFL footballer Nick Riewoldt, behind in Australia?
Yes. I've pushed it aside for so long, but now it's creeping up. It's come around so quickly, it's going to be hard. But Nick's going to be in the middle of his games, and I will be very frantic over there. It's like I keep saying, we're just going to have to have big phone bills!
So you're going to do the long-distance thing?
We're going to give it a crack. If we don't give it a shot, we'll never know if it would have worked out. I don't think I'll be able to be away for too long, though.
Is he at all worried about you getting swept up in the hype of it all? Celeb parties, gigs, lots of industry functions... Does he ever worry that you might stray?
Oh my God, you have actually just put that thought in my head! I've always said you should reverse everything so you can understand what the other person is going through. You've just made me realise for the first time how he might feel!
Oh no, I'm sorry!
He's very supportive and understanding. As much as it's going to hurt, and as much as we're going to miss each other, he's very encouraging. He's told me that I have to do this; he understands why. We're strong enough to know that me living over there is not forever, and we'll have to stay strong.
He sounds like a keeper, Steph!
He is! But come on, I've endured his two-month holiday when I was working! Plus what are they called...? Mad Mondays!
You took a holiday to Fiji recently, didn't you?
Yeah, it was lovely. We stayed at the Hilton and we had a really good time.
So when will you be leaving Australia? In May?
Well, it's all in the works still, but I leave Neighbours at the end of April, so it will be around then.
But you'll still be around for the Logies, right?
I'll have to stay for them, and then leave! I'll definitely hang around for the Logie Awards!
Hey, you should perform!
Bring it on - I'd love that!
Have the Neighbours writers told you yet how they're planning on saying goodbye to your character, Sky? Will they leave it open-ended so she can come back?
I would like to keep the role safe because it means so much to me. Neighbours has been such a big part of my life, so I hope it's a happy ending.
Steph's latest single, "So Do I Say Sorry First?", is out now.
TV WEEK March 10-16, 2007
By Clare Rigden
Page 24-26
Neighbours beauty Steph McIntosh is following in her brother's footsteps...straight to the UK!
So, Steph, you're finishing up on Neighbours in a couple of months.
I am. I'm so sad, it's been four years. I kind of feel it's been a really great four years, but I'm ready for new challenges. It's all very emotional though. I'm feeling everything: sad, nervous, excited...
Well, it is exciting! We hear you're heading off to the UK to launch your album there.
That's the immediate plan. If I don't go now, then I pretty much won't get another shot at taking my music over there. I've only got one go at this, so hopefully it will all be alright.
Do you know yet where you'll live and base yourself?
Not yet. I'll probably have my mum or dad come over with me for a little bit, to hold my hand. I'll almost certainly end up living with my brother, Jason (Donovan, former Neighbours star and singer).
Having done the exact same thing 17 years ago, Jason will be able to give you some advice, right?
Yeah, exactly!
Will he be keeping a stern brotherly eye on you?
He's going to get protective if he has to, but because we haven't lived together for so long and we're 17 years apart, we're more like good mates. He's been very supportive while all my music stuff was happening over the last 12 months.
He's got a family of his own now, doesn't he? Sounds like it could be a full house!
He does. He's got two little ones (Jemma, six, and Zach, five). They'll keep me grounded while I'm over there. It'll be great to spend time with them.
Are you ready for the media onslaught that comes with launching your music in the UK? They can be pretty ferocious.
I am. I had a bit of a whirlwind in Australia, but then got embraced as well. I fell as though I've had a good dose of the bad side, as well as the good. I'm aware that everyone has their own opinions. Not everyone has to like it, so the ones that do - awesome, bring it on!
Jason has had big highs but even bigger lows in his career. (In 1999, his public battle with drugs made headlines both here and in the UK.) Has he been able to caution you about some of the darker aspects of fame and the music industry?
He's told me that it's hard, and that you've got to work hard. He has basically said that being happy is the key to it all. If I'm not actually enjoying it, then I should stop doing it.
There have been a few people from Neighbours who have headed to the UK recently, like Ben Nicholas who plays Stingray. Will you catch up with him?
Actually, Ben rang the green room the other day, and I had a quick chat to him. But we're very close. He's like my little brother in real life, so we'll definitely be catching up when I get over there.
What about Delta Goodrem? Could she give you some advice?
Delta and I never really worked (on Neighbours) together. We don't really know each other that well. We kind of missed the boat with each other in that respect - she was finishing just as I started.
Will you be leaving your boyfriend, AFL footballer Nick Riewoldt, behind in Australia?
Yes. I've pushed it aside for so long, but now it's creeping up. It's come around so quickly, it's going to be hard. But Nick's going to be in the middle of his games, and I will be very frantic over there. It's like I keep saying, we're just going to have to have big phone bills!
So you're going to do the long-distance thing?
We're going to give it a crack. If we don't give it a shot, we'll never know if it would have worked out. I don't think I'll be able to be away for too long, though.
Is he at all worried about you getting swept up in the hype of it all? Celeb parties, gigs, lots of industry functions... Does he ever worry that you might stray?
Oh my God, you have actually just put that thought in my head! I've always said you should reverse everything so you can understand what the other person is going through. You've just made me realise for the first time how he might feel!
Oh no, I'm sorry!
He's very supportive and understanding. As much as it's going to hurt, and as much as we're going to miss each other, he's very encouraging. He's told me that I have to do this; he understands why. We're strong enough to know that me living over there is not forever, and we'll have to stay strong.
He sounds like a keeper, Steph!
He is! But come on, I've endured his two-month holiday when I was working! Plus what are they called...? Mad Mondays!
You took a holiday to Fiji recently, didn't you?
Yeah, it was lovely. We stayed at the Hilton and we had a really good time.
So when will you be leaving Australia? In May?
Well, it's all in the works still, but I leave Neighbours at the end of April, so it will be around then.
But you'll still be around for the Logies, right?
I'll have to stay for them, and then leave! I'll definitely hang around for the Logie Awards!
Hey, you should perform!
Bring it on - I'd love that!
Have the Neighbours writers told you yet how they're planning on saying goodbye to your character, Sky? Will they leave it open-ended so she can come back?
I would like to keep the role safe because it means so much to me. Neighbours has been such a big part of my life, so I hope it's a happy ending.
Steph's latest single, "So Do I Say Sorry First?", is out now.
TV WEEK March 10-16, 2007
By Clare Rigden
Page 24-26
