Today host Lisa Wilkinson has called out a media report about an alleged feud between herself and co-host Sylvia Jeffreys, saying the story is “complete bullshit”.
A Sydney Morning Herald Saturday Private Sydney article this weekend referred to “rumours their relationship had cooled off dramatically, to the point the women barely spoke off camera.”
Although the Fairfax article did clarify that Channel Nine had denied the rumours – and also cited a “source” close to the two women who said there was no truth to the rumours – Wilkinson is understandably not happy that the story was published at all.
Now, the news anchor has set the record straight in a powerful Instagram post celebrating her friendship with Jeffreys.
“[F]or some bizarre reason, a journalist at the Sydney Morning Herald decided to report on supposed “rumours of a rift” between us this weekend,” Wilkinson posted on Sunday night. “So let me tell you here what I told him – and I quote – ‘complete bullshit!'” Wilkinson also took aim at The Daily Mail, saying the tabloid website had “jumped on board with the same rubbish” by publishing quotes from the Fairfax story along with “suitably frozen moment headshots of Sylvia and me on camera looking like ‘mean girls’.” She also suggested the”source” who first told Fairfax about the rumour may be “someone not happy with the Today show now being the number one breakfast show in the country”.
The 56-year-old television celebrity made clear she had no time for the media beat-up, writing: “Well, sorry, I’m not going to sit meekly by and take this.” (Onya, Lisa!)
She went on to suggest that mainstream media should consider celebrating female friendship, rather than suggesting women want to tear each other down.
“Sylvia and I couldn’t enjoy working together, be more supportive, or respect each other more. THAT, in fact, should be the headline!
“But obviously that sort of good news – or the crazy idea of women supporting women – doesn’t sell newspapers these days. #girlpower”
Wilkinson’s social media presence makes clear that she admires her younger co-host. Just a week ago, she called Jeffreys “super talented and completely gorgeous” in a post celebrating the blonde’s birthday.
In late February, she referred to Jeffreys as “the on- and off-screen woman we all love” and described her as “stunning and talented.”
Post continues after gallery:
Lisa Wilkinson and Sylvia Jeffreys on social media
Jeffreys has also spoken highly of Wilkinson, who has acted as a mentor and friend to her since she replaced Georgie Gardner in 2014.
“Lisa has shared a lot of personal experiences with me. She’s taught me to stand up for myself,” she told The Daily Telegraph last November.
“Women can find it difficult to ruffle feathers but she’s taught me it’s okay to be a feather ruffler if it’s something you believe in.”
See? No animosity here, people. Just #girlpower.
Watch Lisa Wilkinson interview PM Malcolm Turbull below.
Top Comments
You see, if you claim 'rumours', you don't need a credible source. Hell, you don't need a source at all cuz YOU'RE starting the rumour!
Well who knows what goes on behind the scenes on these shows, but I will note that I have never yet read about two male co hosts feuding and surely that must happen at times. I am looking forward to the day we hear a story like this, "Karl stefanovic arrived at the bikini shoot to find that Richard wilkinson had already nabbed the red speedos that Karl had coveted. Karl threw a huge jißy fit and demanded that Dickie take the speedos off and give them to him, however Dickie refused. Karl launched into Dickie and they had a huge cat fight pulling at each other's hair etc the tusske only ended when the producers produced a blue sequinned thong for Karl to wear. This pacified Karl somewhat, though it turns out both Karl and Dickie were outshone by Tim Gilbert who wore a lime green Borat style one piece which really accentuated the emerald green of his eyes.
After the troubled photo shoot Karl and Dickie denied all rumours of a split. Karl tweeting, "Dickie is so talented and simply stunning. And I love how he can fill out a red speedo, he really knows how to work it." Dickie in return tweeted, "to my bro, you know I love you, and I love how your bum cheeks really look great in that blue sparkly thong. You go boy!"
Stevie Jacobs, for his part, tweeted, "no rift between us boys, we just really all love each other, and I got say whilst both Karl and Dickie really have the figures to look stunning in speedos, I got to say my mate Timmie just took the title for total hottie in his Borat one-piece. Wish I'd been there boys to be part of the action."
So when we see this type of news story then we will know we have hit full equality!
Brilliant.
You should write for Woman's Day or New Idea!
When we see certain magazines and websites ignoring which famous sister something to that other famous sister and what they were wearing in the Bahamas or at some Award, then we have hit full equality.
Nonetheless, I did like your comment overall Anon.
Perhaps I do :)
Am joking :)