It seems like Sonia Kruger is everywhere. Just weeks after Dancing With The Stars wrapped up, she’s back on our screens hosting The Voice Australia before she guides contestants into the Big Brother house next week.
It’s easy to wonder if the hardworking 56-year-old ever takes a break. Thankfully, Sonia assures us she’s enjoying some much-needed down time after filming several shows at the tail end of 2021 and beginning of 2022.
“Actually, it’s weird now, because I can just sit back and watch them, but people see me on television and think I’m super-busy, although I’m actually not – don’t tell my boss,” she tells TV WEEK with a laugh.
Sonia is enjoying some much-needed down time after filming several shows at the tail end of 2021 and beginning of 2022.
(Image: TV WEEK)While Sonia is one of the our most recognisable faces, she doesn’t regard being so well known as fame.
“I feel I’m very familiar,” she says.
“In Australia, it can take a really long time for the audience to feel comfortable with you. It’s a hard thing to describe, because these days, people will come up and say hello. And I love that they feel comfortable enough to say hi.”
Although many people in the public eye struggle with constantly being recognised, Sonia says her gradual rise has been comfortable – for the most part.
“I’ve had issues with paparazzi who have sometimes overstepped the mark a little with my daughter Maggie.”
(Image: Instagram)“I’ve had a natural progression over the last 20 years,” she explains.
“It doesn’t feel like it’s been particularly forced or uncomfortable. But there can be a downside. In the past, I’ve had issues with paparazzi who have sometimes overstepped the mark a little with my daughter Maggie, but not so much with me.
“I’m in the public eye and I understand that it’s part of that, but I’m very protective of my family and friends.”
Despite being at the top of her game, Sonia admits she’s had plenty of awkward moments and mistakes along the way. Some have even made her consider quitting live television altogether.
“On my first-ever live cross on national television, I was supposed to be doing the weather, but didn’t realise we were on air,” she recalls.
“I thought we were on a commercial break and they [the producers] were just checking the communications links and asking what the weather was like. I said, ‘It’s really hot’ and that’s all. Then they got in my ear and said, ‘We’re live’ and I was like a deer in headlights.
“When I got off air, I thought, ‘I’m just going to go straight home, because if I go back to the office, I’ll be fired.
“Thankfully, it didn’t happen. I’ve just been given more opportunities to make mistakes on a bigger scale.” [Laughs]
“I’m in the public eye and I understand that it’s part of that, but I’m very protective of my family and friends.”
(Image: TV WEEK)Australian television has changed significantly during Sonia’s career. While dramas were primetime viewing 10 years ago, reality juggernauts such as The Voice and Big Brother now dominate our screens.
Sonia doesn’t believe we’re seeing a decline in drama, and a predominance of reality, just a change in the landscape.
“There’s still a lot of amazing drama, but viewers are going to streaming services for it,” she says. “Reality television has kind of become the domain of free-to-air [television] – and the networks are following society, thinking about what’s resonating with the public.
“But also I think it’s due to connection. When I watch Big Brother, especially in [COVID] lockdown, it feels like we’re building friendships [with the housemates] by proxy.”
Sonia couldn’t love her hosting gig on The Voice any more.
(Image: Seven)In recent years, reality television has seen a return of favourite characters to our screens. Sonia thinks it’s a stroke of genius.
“For some reason, nostalgia always works on television, regardless of the generation you’re in,” she says.
“It connects people with the past. It’s like listening to a song you loved when you were a teenager without a care in the world. As soon as you hear that song, it takes you back to that feeling again.
“That’s what we’re tapping into – the connection and feelings we had when we first met [former Big Brother housemates] Reggie, Tim, Dave and Tully. It brings it all back for us. I really love it.”
