Emily Abay.
Ahead of her Bestie’s live event with Gwyneth Paltrow, radio and television presenter, Jackie O sat down with marie claire to share the lessons she lives by, her teenage crush and the celebrity she wished people would talk less about.
Marie Claire: What is the soundtrack to your life right now?
Jackie O: Everything from Drake to Elvis to ABBA. People say I have the worst taste in music but I disagree.
MC: What’s a phrase you tend to overuse?
JO: “Everything happens for a reason.”
MC: If you had no family or friendship ties where would you live?
JO: New York. I fell in love with the city when I was 19.
MC: What simple pleasure brings you the most happiness?
JO: Swimming in the ocean.
MC: What’s your favourite way to exercise?
JO: Tennis. I started playing last year and finally found a way to work out that I really love.
MC: What historical concert do you wish you had attended?
JO: Woodstock [in 1969].
MC: What qualities do you value most in people?
JO: Anyone who’s non-judgemental.
MC: Is there a celebrity who you have been mistaken for?
JO: Australian actor Poppy Montgomery. A guy working at the airport asked if I could sign his piece of paper, and I just assumed he knew it was me. Then, as I was about to sign it, he said “Poppy,” and I thought “Oh God, what do I do?” So I signed it as Poppy!
MC: A talent you wish you had?
JO: To be able to sing would be so nice. What a gift. Unfortunately, I’m tone deaf.
MC: What has been your most self-indulgent purchase?
JO: The Christian Dior handbag I got in Paris. It’s an investment piece, right?
MC: Which topic do you wish people would talk more about?
JO: Self-care and mental health.
MC: Which topic or person do you wish people would talk about less?
JO: Donald Trump because I work with Kyle [Sandilands] and he is always talking about him. It’s like being in a nightmare every day.
MC: What are you excited about?
JO: Chatting with Gwyneth Paltrow at our first in-person event for Besties. It’s going to be a night to remember and I can’t wait for it!
MC: What’s your favourite way to celebrate a milestone?
JO: Something very personal with close friends. Nothing big. Nothing fancy.
MC: What’s the lesson you wish you’d learnt sooner in life?
JO: To love myself more and not be so hard on myself.
MC: Who is your style icon?
JO: Olivia Palermo.
MC: What has been your favourite holiday?
JO: A safari in Tanzania, Africa.
MC: What is your signature scent?
JO: At the moment it’s Rose Kabuki by Dior.
MC: What’s a TV show, film or album you really loved that wasn’t popular?
JO: The TV series Damages starring Rose Byrne and Glenn Close. I don’t know why it didn’t become bigger.
MC: Which song always gets you on the dance floor?
JO: ‘Mr. Brightside’ by The Killers or anything ABBA.
MC: What’s the best gift you’ve ever recieved?
JO: My mum made a book for me that had lots of personal stories about me – from birth to now.
MC: What was your first job?
JO: A sandwich hand. I had to count the money backwards when I was giving change and I couldn’t do it, so I left. I never was good at maths.
MC: Who was your teen crush?
JO: Bill Murray in Ghostbusters.
MC: Who was the last person you called for no reason?
JO: My daughter, Catalina [aka Kitty].
MC: What’s your favourite comfort TV show?
JO: Old-school Friends and Modern Family.
MC: Your biggest fashion crime?
JO: The Spice Girls’ platform thongs.
MC: Which reality show would you most like to go on?
JO: Survivor. It’s my favourite show but I’d be terrible. I’d be too eager and I’d go in all guns blazing and they’d vote me out first.
For more on Besties, head to @bestiesau.
