KIIS FM’s Meshel Laurie has laid into Schapelle Corby and her family suggesting the convicted drug felon thinks she’s a celebrity when, in reality, few people care about her or her story.
The stinging rebuke follows news that Australian media agencies and the TV broadcasters, wary of proceeds of crime laws, aren’t interested in opening their cheque books for a Schapelle tell-all anytime soon fearing a possible public backlash.
On her morning breakfast show yesterday, Laurie gave a stinging rebuke of Corby and her media antics since returning to Australia on Sunday. “If we’re going to make such a big deal out of Schapelle, who smuggled drugs into Bali and went to jail and now she’s home. Who cares?” she said.
“I mean, who do you think you are? You think you’re Taylor Swift or something, big balling it in your hotel room? You’re a convicted drug trafficker who got out of jail. Who cares?
“Come on, Australia, grow up. Are we really that sad that we’re now going to make Schapelle Corby a celebrity?”
Interestingly, KISS FM was one network that had reportedly offered Corby money for an interview (rumoured to be Kyle and Jackie O), however, has since gone cold on any deal. Corby’s sister, Mercedes, spoke to Kyle and Jackie O this morning.
Laurie’s comments follow on from a story on B&T yesterday that revealed a concerted social media campaign had begun to try and convince Network Ten to get Corby to appear in next year’s The Bachelorette. Ten has not commented on the campaign.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that none of the free-to-air networks – despite rumours to the contrary – are prepared to offer Corby money for an interview.
There were initial reports Seven had signed her up, although that now appears not to be true.
Not only are network bosses concerned about the proceeds from crime laws, there’s real concern of a public backlash around paying a convicted drug criminal money despite the huge audiences such an interview would deliver.
An article on The Australian’s website quoted unnamed sources from Seven, Nine and Ten saying they’d be interested in an interview but only if it was for free.
One unnamed source told The Oz: “Unless you’re going to open a Swiss bank account, how are you going to do it? Everyone has been talking about that if there’s an interview with Schapelle, the money goes to her mother. But it’s not as easy as that. If it’s that easy to sidestep, what’s the point of having the legislation?” Before adding, the network would “open her with open arms” if she was prepared to do it for free.
