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Date with Kate, Fashion

Date with Kate: Cheyenne Tozzi

20th November, 2016
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Cheyenne and I enjoying lunch at Exchange Restaurant & Bar in Darlinghurst

 

Sydney-born Cheyenne Tozzi began modelling aged 13, moved into TV in 2014 as a mentor alongside Naomi Campbell for The Face Australia and is now a mentor on Australia’s Next Top Model. Tozzi, 27, has also branched into music and this month released Swept Up, the second single from her self-titled debut album. She chats to me about music becoming her main focus, who she thinks will win the Next Top Model finale, and how she “donated” her birthday to the United Nations.

Congratulations on your new single.

Thank you … Swept Up is a soulful summer song that’s all about that feeling of being swept up in love. The response has been really positive. I think most people have experienced that feeling at one stage or another, so they can connect with it.

You are self-trained in singing. How did your love of music come about?

Music is something that I’ve always held close to my heart and it’s been around me for as long as I can remember. I think about some of the best family nights and quite often they’ve involved a piano or a guitar – they’re special memories to hold on to. As for singing, there was always music playing in the house and I’d be humming along. I never went to singing lessons, I wasn’t even really “self taught”, I just sang.

Do you write all your own music? 

All my songs are original, I love writing. It’s pretty cool to be in the studio with the boys [production team Jackie Nice]. With Swept Up, we were in the studio and they had this really cool little riff on the guitar, I started singing and it grew from there and we created this really beautiful song.

Tell me about your album. 

It’s my first solo record. My music is honest and authentic. I think the feel of my genre demands that. It’s soulful. If nothing else, I hope my music makes people feel – whether it’s calm or happiness or the fondness of a memory – I just want people to feel something when they listen to it.

You split your time between modelling, TV presenting and singing. What is your main focus? 

I enjoy everything that I do … I’m lucky to have had a great career in modelling and to have travelled the world meeting inspirational people. I’ve loved being a mentor on ANTM and helping other young girls in my industry, but it’s my music that I’m really passionate about and focused on.

Do you enjoy being a mentor on Australia’s Next Top Model? 

Yes, it’s a great show. We’ve had a really great bunch of girls this year; there are always the temper tantrums and all that nonsense that comes along with having a houseful of 16-year-old girls. And I think we have had some incredible women come on this season, including Miranda Kerr, Elle Macpherson. and just to show girls again what a wonderful career you can create if you’re focused. If you just go 110 per cent and you are worth it, you can go all the way.

What do you love most about being a mentor?

I love that I can be a part of the girls’ dreams in any which way that I can.

Who do you think will win this year’s ANTM and why? 

It’s a tough call, Sabine is incredibly beautiful and unassuming, which people like, but then Aleyna is gorgeous, has the height and all of the tools to succeed.

What’s your advice to the young girls coming up in modelling?

Be nice, and be respectful.

You have donated your birthday to the UN. Tell me a bit about that. 

So you donate your birthday and people donate money to the UN [instead of giving gifts] … My goal was to raise $50,000 but we exceeded that target in two weeks! When you look outside and you read [the news] you think: “If I don’t do anything – not that I can change the world – but you need to make that initial step and maybe I can try and help.”

What was it like to start your career at 13? 

My mum was a model and my aunt was a model, so it’s the environment I was growing up in and knew. I’ve had a great career and I’m still going, I’m still not finished yet in what I want to do.

Is it an advantage or a disadvantage starting so young?

I don’t know … I learnt so much obviously, I’m very street smart, I’m very savvy. I’ve travelled all over the world, but do I think it’s an advantage? I don’t think it’s a disadvantage at all. I’ve had a really wonderful career. I’m not going to now say, “Well, I wish I didn’t do that.” Everyone has their journey and their path.

What would you tell your 13-year-old self now?

Relax.

What was it like being on The Face? 

The Face was great. I think, the dynamic of the mentors against each other was real and was quite fun. Naomi [Campbell] is fun; Nicole [Trunfio] is a sweetheart.

Are you still in contact with Naomi Campbell? 

Yes, I’ve spoken to Naomi a bit … She is one of those [models] who paved the way for everyone and she is a fantastic woman. I think, people take her wrong sometimes, when they say, “Oh, she is too aggressive” or whatever, but she really is a sweetheart and I think she has every right to be that savvy, awesome woman that she is.

What is your inspiration behind your coming fashion label The Code? 

The Code is coming out early next year. We’re doing a small collection based on all the pieces that I think every girl needs. I want the collection to empower and celebrate women.

Who is a Code woman?

The Code woman would be Michelle Obama, Elle Macpherson, Bella Hadid, my mum, business women, doctors. I think she is like all these women who have just nailed it in life. She’s confident and dressed for success.

Tell me a bit about the collection. 

It’s all key pieces … blazers, pants, suits, beautiful shirts, just basic but beautiful pieces that are affordable.

Where is home for you now? 

Home is where the heart is. Wherever the spaghetti is, I’m there! I live in Sydney and we have five dogs, so I can’t live anywhere else – but we travel all the time.

What do you do for fun when you’re not working?

Dance-offs. And I’m trying to finesse my baking. I’ve been doing that for fun. That’s my fun thing at the moment and a walk with the dogs. I relax, I just hang out.

What has been your biggest pinch-me moment in your career? 

I think it’s always hilarious when people go, “You’re still alive?” As if I’m like 80 years old! When you’re 27 years old and you start that young it feels like forever. I think my career highlight, I’ve done so many awesome things and travelled the world and just met amazing people.

BITESIZE

WE WENT TO Exchange Restaurant & Bar, Darlinghurst.

WE ATE Pan-fried snapper fillet with cherry tomatoes, basil, and zucchini flower; Pea, mint and goats cheese arancini; White & brown anchovy bruschetta; Heriloom tomato & goats cheese panzanella.

WE DRANK Saint Andre “Magali” 2014 Rose.

CHEYENNE WORE Tom Ford shirt and skirt.

KATE WORE Dion Lee.

Date with Kate

DATE WITH KATE: SARAH MURDOCH

23rd June, 2013
Mum on the run: Sarah Murdoch. Photo: Dallas Kilponen

Mum on the run: Sarah Murdoch. Photo: Dallas Kilponen

Sarah Murdoch is one of Australia’s most recognisable faces. As a supermodel-turned-television presenter, the 41-year-old has shifted her focus to philanthropy as patron of the National Breast Cancer Foundation Australia. I talked to the mum of three about juggling family life, the new season of Australia’s Next Top Model (ANTM) and whether she will return to television.

What is a typical day for you?

Oh, my goodness, three kids, two cats and new puppy! I try to squeeze everything between the school hours and work around the kids. It’s chaotic but I love it.

What is your secret to juggling it all?

Having a great mum who will drop everything to come over has been a lifesaver … I’m very organised; I have a laminating machine and I like to put things up. I have to know what’s happening and when … I can’t believe I just shared that with you! [Laughs]

Will you return to TV?

I feel like I’ve done everything I want to do on television, so unless something came along that really challenged me, then I don’t think so. I always try and find something I love as much as the Today show. Also, being able to produce and being able to be involved at that level with ANTM was really fantastic, so I feel like I’ve done it all.

Will you be watching the new season of ANTM?

Absolutely. I love the show and the fact that mothers and fathers come up to me and tell me they bonded with their daughter over this show. I haven’t contacted [new host] Jen [Hawkins] … I feel really bad, I should reach out to her, but then I think I should let her do her thing.

So you didn’t give Jennifer Hawkins any advice?

I was thinking about it but then I thought some people just want to make their own mark. I thought about going to the launch of it but it’s her thing now. I’ll let her enjoy it.

How do you cope with being in the spotlight?

I always find it weird; I don’t know. If I’m in a shop and they say, ”Thank you, Sarah,” I still can’t get my head around the fact that they would know who I am.

You are followed by paparazzi, so do you have to make a special effort every time you leave the house?

Every time I get paparazzi-ed, it’s when I’m looking my worst, and every time, I say to the photographer, ”Thanks, I’m in my trackies.” The other day I was in Woolies in my trackies, with shopping bags, and Aerin wouldn’t sit in the stroller so I was carrying her, trying to push the stroller, and I was like, ”Of course you’re here now! You weren’t here yesterday when I had my hair and make-up on.”

Do you have a career highlight?

It’s hard to say, there are so many. I remember when I got my Revlon contract to be the global face, it was a very big deal. And the Today show was a big turning point for me, and being on the board of the ballet is a highlight.

Has there ever been a career lowlight?

Yes! [Laughs] I’m not going to mention any names, but yes, I think we can easily make compromises and get talked into things, but your gut feeling is always right.

What do you do for fun?

Have a few wines, catch up with my girlfriends. I love wakeboarding and snowboarding. But I’m a bit of a homebody, so being with the kids, snuggled up on the couch, watching movies and eating popcorn is the ultimate.

Are you a good cook?

No, I’m a terrible cook. My kids love ”mummy’s special pasta” and they think it’s gourmet when it’s tinned tuna, tinned corn, a bit of pasta, white sauce and Bob’s your uncle.

You must be asked to be involved in so many charities. Why is the National Breast Cancer Foundation Australia so special to you?

I try to focus on the ones [in which] I can make the most difference, and when I first started with breast cancer, 30 per cent of women died, and now it’s 10 per cent, so it’s a big change in that short period of time. What keeps me motivated is that we are seeing results.

What did you think about actor Angelina Jolie’s recent admission that she underwent a preventive double mastectomy?

I think it’s fantastic. When a woman is going through a diagnosis, you feel like you’re the only one having to make that kind of tough decision, and for people to realise they are not alone is reassuring. It’s put breast cancer back on the map. We have been a victim of our own success … I worry that there was a bit of pink fatigue out there.

 

BITE SIZE

WE WENT TO Cafe Sydney, Circular Quay.

WE ATE Mini muffins and sweet hors d’oeuvres.

WE DRANK English breakfast tea.

I WORE Balmain blazer, Josh Goot top and Miu Miu leather pants.

SARAH WORE Collette Dinnigan dress and Christian Louboutin heels.

smh.com.au