TV personality Deborah Hutton opens up to Kate Minogue about family, health, and what's next in the pipeline
I'm currently working for some amazing iconic companies, including Lend Lease, Holden and Qantas. I also have my Living with Deborah Hutton range in Kmart stores and work with Olay as the face of their Regenerist range.
Last year, the campaign went international so there are now Olay ads around the world, some with me even speaking Russian. It's funny because I was aware that I could speak Swahili after a few drinks, but I didn't know I could speak Russian! Seriously though, Olay has amazing products. I use the whole box and dice because they all deliver something different but, together, they provide you with the whole skincare package.
I'm in talks with Channel Nine about doing a lifestyle show to help people manage through the financial crisis. It's only at the pilot stage, so I can't say too much about it, but with a bit of luck I will be working on that this year.
I think there's a bit more focus going back into home shows. The global financial crisis is going to be really difficult and challenging for people. But the more we worry about it the worse it gets or so it seems. Instead, we need to bolster ourselves — we're pretty resilient.
It's times like these when you need to look around at what you have got, as opposed to what you haven't got. I sit back and think I've got my health and I'm fine and my mother, who is 72, is doing okay. But my brother, David, has had some bad news with his health. There are lots of people out there who are affected by cancer and I just seem to be surrounded by it. And so you realise that what's important is health and family — they are the two things that really matter.
Health is the most important thing to me and I feel secure that I have my home. It gets down to that basic level. It makes you realise that you have to live in the here and now and make the most of every moment. Everything else can be rebuilt or is on a different priority level when things get tough.
When you get hit with bad news, you have to be in the moment and I think it's important to acknowledge it. But then you realise you have to come out at the other end and pick yourself up. Life is too short to mull around. My mother is like that. She has been a great role model for me. I lost my brother Rod in 2007 and now David is going through a hard time. It's really tough on my mum. But we're not isolated — sadness is something so many people are experiencing all the time.
I have always been close to my mother and I'm in awe of her these days though. She has an inner strength. I sit back and think, if I'm half the person she is when I'm her age I will be happy.
I'm seeing someone, but it is early days. I'm having fun — I'm a pretty positive person. Happiness is a matter of choice though. You either look at what's happening in your life and deal with it well, or you just don't and go into a hole.
I have an abundance of energy and that comes from eating well and exercising regularly. I strongly believe that what you put into your body is what you get out of it. Not that I'm a princess about what I eat, but I have cut out a lot of fats and sugars.
I love being in the kitchen and cooking a great meal and enjoying a glass of pinot noir or champagne with friends and family. It's a balance thing — you put the credits in going to the gym, then the debits are your Sunday lunch!
As I get older, it has become important to focus on health. Fitness is a big thing for me. I work out five times a week and relax on the weekend or just go for a walk with my dog, Billie. I'm doing soft-sand running at Bondi before going for a swim. I also do cardio workouts with a trainer at the Bondi Icebergs Club. I have never been more consistent at going to a gym — I love watching the waves and seeing the sun on the surf. I'm also into Pilates as it's a great strengthener.
It's important to do weights as you get older for bone building, but I also don't want to end up looking like a big question mark! I really love wearing summer dresses where my arms are exposed. I don't want to feel like I need to wear stuff to cover my arms, so I do a lot of work on them.
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