Jess Rowe is one of the most recoginsable faces in the Australian media. Known for her quick wit and million dollar smile, the 51-year-old has carved out her own unique space in one of the toughest industries to break into.
But before her career boomed, Jess had an unlikely entry into the world of showbusiness.
“I began as a receptionist after doing a uni degree and I was a hopeless receptionist!” she tells Now To Love when reflecting on her career.
Jess exclusively spoke to Now To Love about her career and eccentric fashion sense.
(Image: Instagram)Jess took up the job on Channel Nine’s Wide World of Sports but admits she “knew nothing about sports”.
“But that was my first job and I went for it. I put my hand up to help out on the weekends and do all sort of things in terms of [saying] ‘Yep, I can do that!’ or ‘Can I run this script up for you?'” she says.
After putting in the hard yards as a receptionist at the Wide World of Sports, Jess got her big break in 1996 when she landed a news presenting role at Channel 10.
The lucrative role would mark the beginning of a two-decade-long career that saw her bounce around various Aussie networks.
Jess has been married to Nine News anchor Peter Overton since 2004.
(Image: Instagram)By 2006, Jess moved back to Channel Nine – this time to co-host the Today show alongside Karl Stefanovic.
Jess’ career continued booming, and a year later she joined Channel Seven as a news presenter based in Sydney, before becoming a permanent fixture on Weekend Sunrise.
However, her biggest role to date came in 2013 when she joined Ita Buttrose, Sarah Harris and Joe Hildebrand as a co-host on Studio 10.
Jess credits her work ethic, passion and tenacity for her success in the notoriously cutthroat TV industry.
“Be persistent, keep going, be passionate and do it because you love it as opposed to ‘I think I want to be famous’,” Jess says when asked what she would tell budding young journalists.
Jess left Studio 10 in 2018 to spend more time with her family.
(Image: Ten)“Be aware that you are not going to land some amazing job at the beginning – that does not happen. If you think a career in media is about your name or being on the tele, that is not going to happen. That’s almost like a by-product of doing what you love.”
Jess left Studio 10 in 2018 to spend more time with her family, Nine News anchor Peter Overton and their two daughters, Giselle and Allegra.
But the 51-year-old’s career is still thriving off the small screen. Jess went on to create her wildly popular podcast, aptly named The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show, and has since become somewhat of an Aussie fashion icon.
From rainbow frocks to tassled masterpieces, barely a day goes by where Jess doesn’t give us serious wardrobe envy by posting her daily looks her Instagram.
What started as a way to pass the time during lockdown has turned into an online look book of Jess’ fabulous and boundary-pushing fashion style.
The mother-of-two laughs at the suggestion that she’s a “fashion icon” but says it’s a label that “absolutely makes my day”.
“Since I was a little girl, I have loved an outfit! And I have always been drawn by the power of an outfit to transform you and lift your mood,” she gushes.
“For me, I wear clothes that bring me joy and I think the older I get the more playful and adventurous I get with what I wear.”
From rainbow ensembles to tassled masterpieces, barely a day goes by where Jess doesn’t give us serious wardrobe envy on her Instagram.
(Image: Instagram)While some women might shy away from bold colours and clashing patterns, it’s these eye-catching statements that are all part of Jess’ wheelhouse.
In fact, fashion icon Iris Apfel, who is known for her eccentric style and signature pixie cut (not too dissimilar to Jess’ locks) is her inspiration.
“One of her quotes is ‘more is more, less is a bore’ and I just think that is me to a T!” Jess says.
“I’m always over the top and I love that and as I’ve gotten older I’ve embraced that part of myself more.”
“I’m always over the top and I love that and as I’ve gotten older I’ve embraced that part of myself more.”
(Image: Instagram)Jess’ “lockdown looks” Instagram series took off, with the TV personality sharing photos everyday during the 2021 lockdown of herself wearing gowns around her house from Australia’s top designers.
“With the uncertainty of the past few years I have found a costume has helped me each day,” she says.
“It gave me a sense of purpose and I know other people might think it’s frivolous but it’s my thing and I love it.”
.png?fit=128%2C79){kind=avatar}
