The nation’s most famous child turns 11 with a bizarre birthday, adding to concerns about what her future holds, writes Angela Mollard.
If Bindi Irwin were a child in a storybook, she would be the luckiest girl in the world. Her home is a zoo, she doesn’t have to go to school, she’s about to star in her first movie, and this week 8000 kids are expected to turn up for her 11th birthday party.
Yet Bindi is not a fictional Pippi Longstocking. She’s a real girl, and despite her precocious self-confidence, insiders fear her life is becoming so far removed from reality that she already faces a public backlash.
On Friday, thousands of kids will converge on Australia Zoo for free entry, a giveaway DVD, a circus act, performances by Jessica Mauboy and a chance to see Bindi at a masquerade birthday party. There will be a huge birthday cake — probably iced, as in previous years, with a picture of her late dad Steve.
But as Bindi moves towards adolescence, child experts and others believe Brand Bindi could get out of control.
Nutritionist Rosemary Stanton feels it’s “sad” Bindi is making TV ads directed at other children in her new campaign for bakery goods.
“It’s wrong to target kids in trying to sell stuff to other kids,” she says. “I think it’s very sad.”
Other experts are concerned Bindi’s extraordinary global stardom could backfire. She is already an actor, dancer, singer, conservationist, writer and trademarked business — but last year, at the launch of her clothing line, Bindi had further ambitions.
“Hopefully maybe I can be president or prime minister,”she said without a hint of irony.
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