Racing

Actress and model Jodi Anasta won a 2006 Logie Award during her five years on Home and Away and has had other screen roles from Underbelly to the film, The Cup. As a Myer ambassador, the 31-year-old shares the latest season trends with me and opens up about her separation from footballer ex-husband Braith Anasta​ and how she copes with the constant media attention.

What are you up to at the moment? 

Myer is keeping me busy. We’ve got lots of different fashion shows on and launches. There’s so much going on and then I’ve got race days with Myer Fashions on the Field.

What are the upcoming winter trends?

It’s all about that contrasting effect. So leathers and lace, suits, blouses, ruffles, fur, suede. The ’70s revival is still back. We’ve been taught how to wear the bell sleeve, the bell pant, so we’ve had time to explore how to wear this kind of trend and now they’re taking it to the next level. My other favourite trend is just beautiful florals in really deep, rich tones.

Tell me about your involvement in the Autumn Racing Carnival.

I’m going to the BMW Derby (April 2) and then the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (April 9). I get to judge Myer Fashions on the Field.

You’ve got so many different roles. Is acting still your No. 1 priority?

Yes, it definitely is. It’s hard to say it’s my No. 1 because at the moment, I’ve got other things going on. But I’m auditioning every chance that I get. Even the day when the Myer Parade was on, I was in there doing auditioning for something before. So I’m just fitting them in wherever I can and just going along with it, doing classes and doing everything I can to be ready when those roles come up.

What has been your favourite role that you’ve played so far?

That’s a tough one. It’s hard because I love working on a film and working with certain people but maybe I don’t like my character as much. But then I do something like Home and Away, where I loved playing Martha and the character that she was. It was so much fun. That’s probably why I did it for five years. But I loved Underbelly and playing the drinking, smoking machine that she [Kylie Keogh] was.

If you could play any role, what would it be?

I would like to do comedy or action; something different to anything I’ve done. I love the characters Angelina [Jolie] plays – strong women. I think she is amazing. The choices she makes with her characters are never the same. She pushes herself. She’s not scared to dive into these really crazy roles and storylines.

With all your commitments, how do you juggle family life?

I think, for me, it’s just about finding balance, having a great family relationship and kind of just trying our best with communication and making sure everyone knows what’s going on so we can all support each other. My focus is putting Aleeia [her daughter] at the front of that, making sure she is looked after and I can take care of myself as well.

You’ve been in the headlines so much lately.

Oh my god, I know. I’ve been put on the spot a few times lately!

You really have had a tough time in your personal life. How are you going? 

I’m good. I think I’m lucky. He [Braith] is supportive. We have a great family dynamic. It was nice to go to the zoo the other day [together] to celebrate Aleeia’s [second] birthday. Things are the best that they can be right now.

It must be hard going through a separation let alone to have the media watching your every move. What has that been like?

It’s definitely not easy. But it comes with the job, so I can’t complain. That’s just a result of the work that I do and I guess that attention is there. So you can ask for privacy but that’s kind of all you can do; all you can do is get on with it. Tomorrow is another day – I’m going to the beach with my daughter and I’m going to have a good time.

How do you cope with the paparazzi following you everywhere?

To some degree it’s just part of the game. I’m not going to sit here and whine about it because it’s an element of what I do. So if you put yourself in this position, then that attention is going to be there and then that attention will go … I care about Aleeia and making sure she is happy and she is having fun and no one is harassing her and no one is in her face. I can handle [the media] but I don’t like it being forceful in her face. So as long as she is happy and she is having a good time and – she is. She is such a delightful little girl and as long as it stays like that, then I’m happy.

You been in the headlines for being “too thin” lately. Is that frustrating? 

Yes, frustrating is the right word, Kate [laughs]. It upset me that they did that because there’s photos shot in two different ways. So it just depends what did you choose to look at. I think that’s what it comes down to … It’s disappointing. Given what I’m going through, I think that people should just kind of be a bit more respectful. I’m a healthy gal. I go to the gym and I eat well. It’s funny when people see me in the flesh and they’re like, “Oh you look fine.” I was like, “I am fine.” … I do have a small frame, but I work out. I’m at the gym and I’m healthy.

What is the biggest misconception about you?

I think any girl that works in fashion, maybe in a photo they can look intimidating. So I always get, “Oh God, you’re so nice.” I think it’s just like when you’re associated with fashion, and maybe they think you’re not – I don’t know. It’s just funny … I’m a normal girl.

What do you do in your downtime?

I will read, I’ll hang out with Aleeia, I go to the beach, park, spend time with my family, see movies, go for dinner.

What’s next in the pipeline?

I’ve got to design a capsule collection for Mon Purse. That will all be coming to life. This is the first time I’ve done this and seen my creative and my designs coming through a campaign kind of look, so it’s really exciting.

Where do you see yourself in five years? 

Just working and having a beautiful life. I guess, for me, the essence of life is just being happy. So that’ll be with Aleeia and whatever else will be happening.

BITE SIZE

WE WENT TO George Ballroom, Melbourne.

WE ATE Confit of ocean trout with watercress foam, edible flowers and mustard fruits and shoots; pink grapefruit jelly, summer berries with rose-scented geranium syrup and candied flowers

WE DRANK Sparkling mineral water.

JODI WORE Georgia Alice

KATE WORE Georgia Alice top and flared pants

RECREATE KATE’S LOOK!

Tops

Pants