If you want to obliterate workplace productivity for ten minutes, mention Asher Keddie in an office full of women.
It worked this morning at Mamamia, when we all fell about Googling the release date of Offspring season 4 (it’s not confirmed yet!)
Keddie has that inner-city bohemian combo nailed. She’s so stylish people write entire blogs about copying her wardrobe; she’s got a social conscience, having recently trotted around Romania saving bears; and she’s smart to boot. (In fact, as Nina Proudman she’s cerebral almost to the point of neuroticism. How does she make that so adorable?)
So, in the spirit of Asher appreciation, we bring you five surprise facts about our favourite Gold Logie winner:
1. She’s dating a god of the celebrity art scene.
After splitting with actor Jay Bowen after 5 years of marriage, Asher’s hooked up with Melbourne-based artist Vincent Vantauzzo, who’s also painted Heath Ledger, Baz Luhrmann, celebrity chef Matt Moran and Brandon Walters from Australia.
Guess what Vantauzzo painted for his most recent Archibald Prize entry? A GIANT portrait of Keddie.
Seriously, the thing is three metres wide.
Did we mention this artist boyfriend of Keddie’s is totes dreamy, too? (Told you she had ‘boho chic’ nailed.)
2. She trained as a ballet dancer.
Keddie took dancing lessons in Melbourne for years- that explains why she’s so damn poised, even as befuddled Nina.
But she dislocated her knee just before her audition for the Australian Ballet School at age 14, according to The Age.
Luckily, she’d landed her first acting gig in a dancewear ad whilst at ballet school, which hooked her up with an agent.
Six awards and 20 nominations later, she’s done pretty well for someone with no formal acting training, we think…
3. She was named after an actress.
It’s kind of perfect that she was named after the British actress Jane Asher (who was also gorgeous and a bit of an activist.)
4. She loves ‘being pregnant’ (on set).
Keddie’s been wearing a prosthetic belly while filming Offspring: her character will be 12 weeks up the duff at the start of season four.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Keddie has embraced her pseudo-pregnancy, commenting:
”Sometimes it’s uncomfortable, but I like that it is, because I imagine that’s what it’s like in real life… I’ve really loved being pregnant on set – it’s been terrific.”
5. But she’s in no rush to have kids herself.
Keddie is auntie to her sister’s two kids- but, at 38, is outspoken about her view that women don’t need kids to be successful.
As she told The Australian Women’s Weekly:
”I admire people who can do it, don’t get me wrong. But I feel successful not doing it as well. I don’t think, ‘Oh gosh, I won’t be quite there and I won’t be as successful as I want to be unless I’m juggling a couple of kids, a marriage and a career.”
We’re with you, Asher.
Although we won’t lie- should Keddie and Vantauzzo go down that path, the thought of mini-artistes running barefooted around inner-city Melbourne streets is pretty damn appealing.
Go on, stalk Asher’s Offspring style. We know you want to:
