Richard Wilkins
The name will be familiar to anyone who has switched on a TV, picked up a magazine or listened to the radio.
New Zealand born Richard Wilkins recently celebrated 25 years at the forefront of Australasian television, a milestone in anyone’s language. Richard moved across the Tasman in 1980 and got his break as the host of MTV Australia, a six-year run that established him as one of the country’s hottest properties.
Over the past two decades Richard has interviewed the greatest stars in the world, including Olivia Newton-John, Britney Spears, Leonardo DiCaprio, P!nk, Barbara Streisand, Barry Humphries, Neil Diamond, Justin Bieber, One Direction and Lady Gaga, to name a few.
Richard is in-demand as an MC and speaker, hosting countless events across Australia and internationally. Richard has been Master of Ceremonies for the G’Day LA and G’Day USA Gala events in Los Angeles and New York, to honour Australia’s most talented and well known actors and singers. He has graced the red carpets of the Oscars, Grammies, Brit Awards and ARIA Awards. He has also hosted hundreds of charity events from Corporate Countdown and the Victor Chang Foundation to the Sony Foundation and “Forever Green” for the Steve Waugh Foundation.
Currently Network Nine’s Entertainment Editor, Richard files daily reports for the national Today Show, regular stories for prime time A Current Affair, Network News and a multitude of other outlets.
Richard Wilkins’ experience and depth of talent and ability speaks for itself, he is without doubt Australia's most respected and credible television host, compere, journalist and MC, both here and overseas.
Not to leave the rock star within in his past, Richard has released three compilation albums with Sony Music – ‘Smash Hits of the 80’s’, ‘#1 Hits of the 80’s’ and ‘Red Carpet Hits’, selling over 200,000 copies.
Richard has also added author to his list of achievements, releasing ‘Black Ties, Red Carpets, Green Rooms’ in September 2011 to great acclaim. The autobiography of his star-filled life so far became instantly popular across the country, landing as the #1 Best Seller. In May 2012, Richard also joined Smooth FM alongside Michael Buble and Seal, presenting a weekly show that has broken records for listener numbers nationwide. "BLACK TIES, RED CARPETS, GREEN ROOMS" THE LIVE EXPERIENCE"
You've seen the TV shows, watched the interviews, read the book and the newspaper and magazine columns, heard the radio chat and all the gossip, now hear the stories live!
Australia's #1 Entertainment personality Richard Wilkins has spent his life in the spotlight; singing solo with the church choir, leading the school orchestra, gaining pop-stardom in New Zealand, gigging with Grace Jones in Australia, launching MTV Australia, travelling the world to meet the biggest names in the industry. From touring New Zealand in the back of a van seeking fame and fortune to first class jaunts around the world in search of rock gods, movie stars and supermodels, it really has been a 'life in the fast lane'.
Richard has truly 'seen it all' and offers a rare insight to the world of showbiz and the cult of celebrity.
Of course there are other sides to Richard. Age 18, he became father to a Down Syndrome son, and since, his life has taken many unexpected turns. Now following the publication of his best-selling book ‘Black Ties, Red Carpets, Green Rooms’ and the celebration of his '25 Years at Channel 9', Richard is hitting the speaking circuit to take audiences behind the scenes, on location, into the studios, onto the Red Carpet and into a secret world only a few ever get to witness....a unique glimpse into the world of the rich and famous.
Richard's stories are brutally honest, self-deprecating and absolutely hilarious, as he lifts the lid on the world of entertainment, takes questions and dishes the dirt!