A blog of recent clips, reporting and notions on what's happening in pop culture of interest to me. Written by Cynthia Wang.
My page for current articles and reporting, random thoughts on TV, music, movies, etc.
After winning The Voice Australia in 2016, Alfie Arcuri has toured the world with his personal brand of pop. But speaking to the LGBTQI+ community through his music has been his biggest reward. Arcuri talks to me about his latest track, “Handsome Man,” in WHO’s March 21, 2021 issue.
Anytime I can champion more diversity in the magazine is a good thing, and this week, it's a chat with Michael Hing, whose documentary series Where Are You Really From? tackles head on the "double from" question many Asian Americans and Asian Australians have encountered. From there, I talked to MKR judge Manu Feildel about his menu for the Hoyts Lux movie experience. In the issue on stands with the June 25 cover date, I spoke to John Cameron Mitchell, the pioneer behind Hedwig and the Angry Inch, for the Soundtrack of My Life feature, and took a look at the final four on The Voice.
Sam Perry isn't the only one with a sweet romance tale on The Voice. Meet Trent! Also, a fun chat with Back in Time for Dinner host Annabel Crabb.
It's Nigella Week on season 10 of MasterChef, and I was able to feature her as the Back Chat opener and in an online story (about how to poach the perfect egg). Mixing up, there is a quick interview with actress Lesley Manville on working with Daniel Day-Lewis in Phantom Thread, a look back at the now-concluded-but-already-missed Eurovision, and a personal take on top Voice contestant Sam Perry, a loop artist.
I have interviewed Delta Goodrem often during my time (so far) in Australia but never for a cover. This May, Delta had a miniseries, Seven's biopic Olivia: Hopelessly Devoted to You, and a regular gig, Nine's The Voice, along with an album of Olivia covers, all hitting the same time. She spoke with ease and candor. Although the cover line may have emphasised newsy beats of the moment, Delta was nonetheless complimentary in a reply to my tweet thanking her for her time. Her response was unexpected but really sweet and generous. In addition to the online story, you can read the print interview in the WHO tab of the Telling Stories section on the site. Following the Delta cover is my short take on fave show Aggretsuko, which you can also find under my Shameless Plus tab, and interviews with Marcia Hines and Myf Warhurst.
In a showdown between two soulful voices on July 3, 2017, Team Delta's Judah Kelly earned more votes than Team Boy George's Hoseah Partsch and was crowned the season 6 champ of 'The Voice Australia.' I caught up with the winner the next day, and my interview can be read here.
Outside of the Casey Donovan and Eurovision Diary features in the May 29 issue, here are other items I reported. With Isabel and Kellan, I interviewed them in a video set-up — so strange for this print reporter!
Voice Australia contestant Crissy Ashcroft is a combat veteran with PTSD. I thought it was important to tell her story and am grateful she let us into her home to share it.
The Australian edition of The Voice, back for its fifth season, is the first of the international series to feature two women as coaches. Last year saw sparks fly between newbie Jessie J and series vet Delta Goodrem but the pair have patched things up. Replacing Ricky Martin is X Factor Australia's Ronan Keating. They join Joel and Benji Madden from Good Charlotte. Here is a preview of the coming season.
