Update: Cassandra Thorburn denies she swiped Karl Stefanovic and his new bride
Just three days before her ex-husband Karl Stefanovic ties the knot with his 34-year-old fiancee, Cassandra Thorburn has responded to headlines that she criticised the Today host and his bride-to-be.
Stefanovic, 44, will say “I do” to shoe designer Jasmine Yarbrough in Mexico on Saturday, a year after finalising his divorce from his 21-year marriage to Thorburn.
The mum-of-three has hit back at reports, saying that her comments were taken out of context.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, she said: “The bullying campaign by the media to make me out as a bitter ex-wife is disgraceful.”
While leaving the Justice Professional by Just Cuts event at Luna Park, Thorburn criticised women who place an importance on appearance and fashion, the industry Yarbrough is making a name for herself in.
“Anyone who knows knows me at all knows I have never believed following fashion is a good thing,” she added.
“Women should dress in what makes them feel good. It is not a competition. That's what I said on the panel. They have been my views forever. Individuality and accepting ourselves for who we each are is what we should strive for.”
Thorburn said that fashion trends were not important to her as her focus is being a busy mother who runs around after her family.
“(Life) is not a fashion show, it’s not a competition. It is not a competition on going out and dressing up. I have been judged on my appearance … I don’t agree with it,” she said.
“How I turn up to pick up my kids from school that day depends on what I have been doing. I might have been cleaning toilets, we all do it.”
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Thorburn said she was “doing great” as she left the women’s event.
However, the 47-year-old refused to answer personal questions about how she was feeling in the lead-up to Stefanovic’s nuptials and declined to pose on her own for photos.
Stefanovic and Thorburn share three children together. On Sunday, Thorburn’s two youngest children Ava, 13, and River, 11, flew to Mexico with their father and future stepmother.
The wedding will take place at the prestigious One & Only Palmilla Resort in San Jose del Cabo.
The resort is a favourite for many celebrities include Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Aniston.
Reportedly, Stefanovic and his fiancée forked out tens of thousands of dollars on accommodation for their guest list.
It is believed that his long-time friend James Packer will be best man, with the guest list including model Jordan Barrett, Alan Jones and Yarbrough’s business partner Tamie Ingham.
Stefanovic’s Today co-host, Georgie Gardner, was invited to the wedding but is unable to attend due to family holiday plans.
On Saturday, Yarbrough will wear a wedding dress designed by Jess Andreatta, who recently revealed the gown would reflect “the location and overall vibe of the wedding”.