Ahead of his headline appearance at Cairns Crocodiles Presented by Pinterest, actor and director Taika Waititi proved exactly why he remains one of the world’s most compelling creative voices, delivering a standout conversation at Vogue Australia’s Forces of Fashion event.
Hosted in Sydney last Friday and spearheaded by Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Christine Centenera, the event at the Opera House delivered an all-star lineup, featuring entrepreneur Hailey Bieber alongside Australian actors Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi, Sarah Snook, Joel Edgerton, Phoebe Tonkin and more.
But it was an unscripted, wildly entertaining conversation between singer Rita Ora and upcoming Cairns Crocodiles headliner Taika Waititi, that proved one of the standout moments of the day.
The session saw the husband-and-wife duo take centre stage and answer questions submitted by attendees, covering everything from fashion and filmmaking to identity, confidence and creative inspiration.
With an undeniable chemistry, grounded in shared experiences growing up without privilege, Kosovan-born but UK-raised Ora reflected on their bond, telling the audience “we both didn’t really grow up with a lot, so we were always making and struggling and that was one of the things we bonded on”.
Waititi, meanwhile, had the audience in stitches recalling his early obsession with fashion despite having no money to participate in it properly.
“When I grew up in the 80s, we couldn’t afford anything,” he said.
Instead, he gravitated toward local alternatives, including shoes that “looked like Dr. Martens, but they didn’t have the yellow stitching,” and tracksuits that “had only two white stripes”.
He explained that much of his inspiration came from watching others, recalling “watching a lot of TV and just wanting to be like everyone on TV,” and trying to recreate those identities with whatever he had available.
Waititi’s candid reflections on mentors and role models were delivered with his trademark irreverence as he admitted that he himself was his own role model.
“On role models, I used to look up to a lot of people, and then I realised… I think at about 11, that you can’t trust grow ups,” he said.
“They don’t know what to do… you just go forge your own path and do your own things. Only you can rely on yourself at the end of the day … just stick to your own vision and try to do your thing and not listen to too many people.”
He added that when things don’t work out, the only person you can hold accountable is yourself.
Waititi was equally unapologetic about how age has reshaped his mindset and creative freedom.
“Now I’m 50, I just don’t care anymore,” he said.
“So my approach… is just to care less, you know, care about the art… but just not stress so much. None of us are going to be remembered 50 years… so take the pressure off yourself.”
The session was a reminder that creative courage often comes not from certainty, but from letting go of fear.
Rising from modest beginnings to global creative influence is an early indication of how Cairns Crocodiles audiences can expect one of the most honest, entertaining and creatively liberating sessions of the year when Waititi takes the stage in May.
Did you see the news about Taika speaking at Cairns Crocodiles? See it here: Actor & Director Taika Waititi to Headline Cairns Crocodiles 2026
Want more from the Vogue event? See: Costuming & Cultural Currency: Vogue’s Forces Of Fashion Puts Australia On The Global Stage
