Beloved Australian comedian and actor Magda Szubanski has offered a heartfelt and humorous glimpse into her cancer journey, blending her trademark wit with deep authenticity as she undergoes treatment.
The Logie Hall of Fame inductee, 64, first revealed in May that she had been diagnosed with stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma – a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.
At the time, she shared that she had shaved her head in anticipation of chemotherapy, approaching the experience with openness and courage.
Now in what she affectionately calls her “chemo couture” phase, Szubanski continues to share her story with vulnerability and humour.
In a video posted Sunday, she appeared in good spirits and expressed sincere gratitude to drag icons Trixie and Katya, who had been seen watching and enjoying Kath & Kim, the series that introduced audiences to Szubanski’s much-loved character Sharon Strzelecki.
“I know I’m late to this but so many people have sent me links of Katya and Trixie watching Kath and Kim,” she said.
“Loving it and laughing along with us and loving the characters.
“I just wanted to say thank you, I really appreciate your appreciation.”
In a touching nod to her comedy roots, Szubanski encouraged the duo to watch her earlier sketch series Big Girl’s Blouse, the 1990s show that first introduced the iconic Fountain Lakes characters.
As always, her humour remained ever-present. With warmth and a wink, she revealed the unlikely origin of Sharon Strzelecki’s iconic hairstyle.
“Sharon’s hair is actually a nod to the Dorothy Hamill wedge,” she explained.
“Dorothy Hamill being an ice-skater in the late 70s who had a very sensible hair cut because every sporty girl needs a sensible, functional fitness hair-do.
“Mine is courtesy of chemo couture.”
She captioned her post with her usual cheeky flair, “Maybe I now qualify to come on the Bald and the Beautiful?? #chemocoiffure.”
Adding, “And FYI the #DorothyHamill #wedge made its debut in 1976.
“Ps Sharon sends her love. She can’t be here sadly as she got her netball bib caught in the sliding door of the team’s Toyota Tarago people mover.”
Since first announcing her diagnosis, Szubanski has remained candid about the realities of her condition – never shying away from the difficult moments, but always anchoring her updates in truth, humour, and heart.
“This is an obscure cancer and was only discovered incidentally via a breast screen where they found my lymph nodes were up,” she wrote in May.
“TBH (to be honest), I’ve been feeling pretty ratshit for ages. So I asked for extra bloods and – voila!
“So the takeaway is – get tested and listen to your body!”
“For now, just know I’m in good hands, good spirits – but I reserve my yuman right to be a cranky old moll.
“Love you all, Mags.”
Images: Instagram
