Kerri-Anne Kennerley: “If you want something, chase it”
Australia’s queen of TV Kerri-Anne Kennerley has released her memoir A Bold Life detailing her extraordinary and inspiring life.
In a career spanning over 50 years that saw her inducted in the Logies Hall of Fame in 2017, Kerri-Anne has lived by a set of principles that have served her well throughout life.
"You take advice but from people who are coming from the right place," she tells 9Honey.
"And also you've got to take advice from people – not only who you respect – but who also have a similar mindset to you.
"Because I want to do things the way I want to do them within reason, but not everybody thinks like me. But I don't care."
With a long and successful career behind her, you would think it’s always been easy for Kerr-Anne – but it hasn’t.
"Looking back I don't think I was all that secure, but I just knew that I had to go forward. There was no luxury of parental inheritance or that sort of privileged upbringing.
"You just had to do it," she says.
The Aussie entertainer began her career as a singer and an actress before becoming one of the most well-known TV hosts in Australian history. During this time she tackled every imaginable topic as well as several difficult guests including Russell Crowe, a drunk John Stamos, Pricilla Presley and a inappropriately flirtatious interview with KISS frontman Gene Simmons.
As she moved between networks and shows, Kerri-Anne ended the chapters in her life with good grace.
"I think that's the way that most people's careers go because once you finish in one area you move on or you get moved on. You go and find something else to do. It's not unique," she explains.
Kerri-Anne credits the great support from her parents throughout her career, saying they raised her to be down-to-earth and to keep on going, no matter what.
And it helps that she has a wonderful husband and partner in life in John.
"Meeting John was the biggest turning point in my life," she says of her husband of 33 years.
It’s been tough for the couple as John suffered serious spinal cord injuries after a fall last year that has left him quadriplegic.
He is now wheelchair-bound but the loving couple are determined to keep on living life.
"You just have to get your head around it and establish that it is the new norm," Kerri-Anne explains.
"I'm lucky in the sense he can speak and breathe and eat now. It's simply a different rhythm."
Reflecting on her professional and personal life, Kerri-Anne says one motto has always served her well.
"If you want something, chase it," she says, adding that adopting a positive mindset helps.
"You are what you think, and you're in charge of what you think."