Seven star opens up about shock split with fiancé of three years: 'There were things I couldn't come back from'
Chief reporter Katrina Blowers was left 'blindsided' and 'nearly broken' last year when she split from fiancé Adam Yates after a three-year relationship.
What made the separation harder was the death of her mother, Elizabeth Barnes, to motor neurone disease just weeks earlier, reported The Courier Mail on Friday.
'It has definitely been the toughest year of my life. It nearly broke me, I'm not going to sugar-coat that,' she told the publication.
'I had to come to terms with the loss of my mother, but also the loss of a future that I had to recalibrate.'
From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.
Katrina went on to say facing a relationship breakdown while mourning the loss of her mother 'affected her mental health' in the most 'challenging' way.
The reporter said she was shocked by the split, as she was in the midst of planning her wedding to the former Surfing Queensland CEO, whom she met in 2021.
Katrina said Adam stuck by her side during hospital visits to see her mother, but their romance crumbled following the funeral, less than a year after their engagement.
'There were things I couldn't come back from, and I chose to end the engagement. I was completely shocked; it was really tough,' she said of the break-up.
Now, Katrina has only the remnants of nuptials which never came to fruition, including a wedding dress which she has decided to donate to charity.
Adam popped the question to Katrina in 2023 in an elaborate surprise proposal while on holiday in the Maldives to celebrate his 40th birthday.
The Brisbane-based news anchor was left stunned when Adam got down on one knee beside a pool covered in 'one million' rose petals shipped in from India.
Staff are said to have spent 'the whole day individually peeling the petals off the roses to fill the pool'.
Adam also proposed with 'the exact ring' Katrina had dreamed of—an oval-shaped diamond on a thin gold band.
'I'm usually pretty alert to clues and things, but he really got me going. It really surprised me,' Katrina said at the time.
'I was just blown away. It's made me feel, honestly, so, so special and the level of thought and attention to detail that he went to is incredible.'
Katrina was previously married to a man named Tom, with whom she shares children Zahra, 17, and Jed, 14.
The pair divorced in 2019 after a 20-year relationship—13 of which were spent in marriage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Powderfinger frontman Bernard Fanning pays tribute to beloved 'old friend and mentor' who suddenly died
Bernard Fanning has shared a sweet tribute to his 'old friend and mentor' who suddenly died. The Powderfinger frontman, 55, took to social media to remember Brisbane musician Andy McDonell, who passed away this week. He shared a photo of Andy to social media, alongside a heartfelt remembrance of 'one of the most talented people' he's ever known. 'I want to pay tribute to an old friend, mentor and all-round maniac Andy McDonell who passed away a few days ago,' Bernard began. 'One of the funniest, kindest and most extraordinarily talented people I have ever known. 'He was equal parts singer, songwriter, guitarist, thespian, comedian, poet, clown, and raconteur of the highest quality who was comfortable on stages of any size.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Continuing, Bernard went on to chart Andy's musical and artistic exploits, as well as his live collaborations with Powderfinger. 'He was first introduced to Powderfinger fans at the 1993 launch of our Transfusion EP where he and his friends from Omniscient Gallery performed an operation onstage that sprayed the audience with fake blood,' Bernard remembered. 'I think the resultant letter of complaint from an audience member's mother was the first of many we received. Thanks Macca. 'He was also a key part of our first ever acoustic show at Van Gogh's Earlobe in 1995 with partner-in-crime Ali St Ledger.' Bernard's tribute continued, with the My Happiness hitmaker admitting just how influential Andy had been in his own formative musical years. 'In the early days we played shows with him as a member of Damp Pants, Brasilia, Andy McDonell and the Contraption where he was the first performer I ever saw that gave himself over COMPLETELY to what he was doing,' he wrote. 'His warmth and good humour, not to mention his encyclopaedic songbook were an absolute inspiration. 'He's the only person I know who was equally comfortable with Tom Waits, Jacques Brel, ABBA and Led Zeppelin.' Rounding out the tribute, Bernard bade a fond farewell to his mate with: 'Most of all though, he was an absolute lord of the art of conversation and I will dearly miss chinwagging with him. Rest in Peace Macca. Love BF x' The post was met with an outpouring of condolences from friends and followers, with legendary Aussie punk rockers Frenzal Rhomb offering a simple: 'xoxoxox'. Bernard's Powderfinger bandmate Darren Middleton also responded with his own tribute to Andy. 'Beautifully written mate,' Darren wrote. 'He was always the "bar" to reach when we were finding our feet in music. 'A hugely talented singer/songwriter that I used to love watching on a Thursday night at The RE in Toowong and always nothing but friendly, funny and engaging in conversation. Xo' Andy's aforementioned 'partner in crime' Ali St Ledger was quick to thank Bernard for his tribute. 'Beautifully eloquent and spot on Bernard. Thank you,' she commented. Another follower jumped in, summing up the sentiment of many with: 'Beautifully said. Andy Mac was one of a kind, a true artist and a great human.' It comes as Powderfinger look likely to feature quite prominently in the Triple J Hottest 100 Australian Songs poll, which kicked off on Saturday. The indie-rock legends, who have snagged a formidable 18 ARIAs, certainly have no shortage of iconic tunes to pick from for the anticipated poll. But it is their 2000 single My Happiness which has the best chance of success, with online bookmaker Betr giving the multi-platinum tune the best odds to nab the top spot at 2.50. Meanwhile, TAB had the track These Days as an outside chance at 17.00.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Australian reality TV stars shocked by VERY surprising cameo in newly released Happy Gilmore 2 film
Two Australian reality TV stars have expressed their shock after making a very unexpected cameo in the newly released US film Happy Gilmore 2. Love Island Australia stars Kaylah Holmes, 23, and Hannah Steinfeld, 25, are featured in a scene in the Netflix movie - in which the characters watch LIA on TV. In the Adam Sandler movie, golfer John Daly (playing himself) and Christopher McDonald (reprising his role from part one) are seen watching a racy clip from LIA on a TV at Gilmore's house. In the movie, Hannah is seen on the TV flaunting her jaw-dropping bikini body as she takes an outdoor shower, while chatting to Kaylah. 'This girl's got some body on her!' Christopher's character remarks about Kaylah, to which John replies: 'Hey, we do not objectify women anymore.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The shock cameo caught the attention of both reality stars, with Kaylah sharing a clip from the movie to social media and writing alongside it: 'Definitely didn't expect to see this when watching Happy Gilmore 2,' while Hannah added: 'Iconic'. Kaylah and Hannah featured on series six of the Channel Nine reality TV series LIA in 2024. Love Island Australia is available to watch in America on Disney's streaming platform Hulu. The long-awaited sequel premiered on Netflix on Friday. It's been nearly three decades since the cast of Happy Gilmore initially hit the links. And three of the film's iconic stars looked almost unrecognisable on Tuesday, when they appeared on the Today show. Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, and Julie Bowen appeared on the show to discuss the highly-anticipated sequel to the hit 1996 comedy. Sandler, 58, who played the eponymous character, was sporting a shock of salt-and-pepper facial hair, looking a far cry from the fresh-faced 28-year-old who appeared in the original. In the Adam Sandler movie, golfer John Daly (right) is seen watching a racy clip from LIA on a TV at Gilmore's house His casual sense of style hadn't changed though, with the actor wearing a colourful floral-patterned shirt. Julie Bowen, 55, who played Happy's love interest Virginia Venit, also cut a distinctly different figure from her '90s self. In the original film, Julie sported a very era-appropriate short blonde bob. Julie, who is also known for her iconic role as Claire Dunphy on Modern Family, wore her much longer blonde locks down for the chat. She also cut a very stylish figure in a smart houndstooth skirt and matching jacket. Chris McDonald, meanwhile, has not changed markedly since his days playing the film's iconic antagonist Shooter McGavin. Now 70, Chris was sporting a very similar 'do' to the one he had in the comedy juggernaut, only now with a greyer hue. Speaking about the anticipated sequel, the trio admitted they weren't trying to break new ground, but rather play up the nostalgia angle. The sequel comes almost three decades after the original film debuted.
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- The Guardian
Meg Washington: ‘Why make art at all? What's the point? Sometimes I feel like the violinist on the Titanic'
Once, in a major label meeting, Meg Washington was given a directive: show us your face. 'They tell you when they sign you that you have to put your face on your album cover and your eyes need to be open, because that statistically sells the most records,' she says matter-of-factly. 'You know how posts with sunsets get more likes, or whatever? It's just some Gladwellian reality that if humans can see the eyeballs, they subconsciously connect more.' She only half obeyed. On her platinum-selling, Aria-winning debut I Believe You Liar, Washington hid like a ghost behind a sheet – with holes cut out for eyes, to technically meet that requirement. For 2014's There There, a sketch artist drew thin, pencil renderings of her face; on 2020's Batflowers, her face was mostly covered by a cartoonish drawing of a flower. But for her latest album, Gem, Washington has finally taken the advice she was given all those years ago: the cover is her gazing at the camera; no obscurity, no tricks, just her. It's ironic that she's finally submitted to major label logic, given Gem is her first original album as an independent artist, and the one most divorced from expectations of record sales. 'I had been signed to a major label for 13 years, which is a long time to be signed to a major label. And I found myself having to re-identify myself. Like, what is [music] to you? Is this something that you do because it's gonna have a fiscal impact? No, not at all,' she contemplates with a dry laugh. Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning I last spoke to Washington in 2020 for the release of Batflowers, her last album with Universal. It's been a busy few years. Since then, she has founded her own label, Batflowers Records; moved from her home town of Brisbane to the Gold Coast with her husband, film-maker Nick Waterman, and their son; released a cover of The Killers' album Hot Fuss; and continued her voice role on the hit kids' show Bluey (she plays Bluey's teacher Calypso). She even changed her moniker, for a third time: first she went by only her 'un-Googleable' last name, before adding on her first name for SEO purposes, and finally shortening Megan to Meg. But most of the last five years was spent on making her and Waterman's debut film, How To Make Gravy: an adaptation of Paul Kelly's beloved Christmas song that she penned the script for – and this new album, in 'stolen moments' here and there. Today, we're sitting in the lobby of a Sydney hotel, where Washington is visiting for a run of shows. The combination of last night's gig and this morning's dawn photoshoot means she's running on just three hours of sleep, she tells me when we meet. Exhaustion hasn't dulled her natural intensity – this is someone unafraid to ask me point-blank what I liked about her new album and prone to countering my questions with her own. But there's warmth and humour too: she drops serious-but-silly one-liners like 'the dominant religion of capitalism is money – that shit is real,' and hangs around after the recorder is off to talk shoe shopping and parenting. Last time we spoke, she was grappling with what happens to the music when you're happy – no longer in the turmoil of her 20s, which fueled her first two albums, but writing music from the quiet calm of marriage and motherhood. Is that still something she wrestles with? 'That's interesting,' she says, pausing to sip the green juice Waterman dropped off mid-interview, in an attempt to ward off tour sickness. 'This record is unique because now what I'm grappling with is a sense of the future. As a parent and as a person, looking into the future at the moment feels cloudy. I found myself really interrogating the question of, well, why make art at all? Like, what's the point? Sometimes I feel like the violinist on the Titanic.' What is worth making music about right now, Washington decided, was a 'more outward interrogation of nature'. She means 'nature' in a couple of senses. Most obviously, there's the natural world, which Washington sings about with awe on Gem. Directed by Waterman, the film clip to the woozy, tropical lead single Shangri-La – which could soundtrack The White Lotus now it's down a composer – sees Washington dance on a beach, waves crashing behind her, and in a rainforest framed by verdant green. The lyrics reference the sky, treetops, spiderwebs, seashells and flowers growing through the weeds. It's not strictly a climate album, but then again, as Washington says: 'I don't think that anybody can make any art right now and not have that be threaded through what's going on.' But Gem also weaves in her musings on her own nature and being an artist in the modern world. The pop idols we create out of teenagers ('We've got a brand-new Jesus / She's only 17'); her wish to 'live for more than money'; and even the lyric 'everybody's talking about superannuation'. 'I never thought I would put the word 'superannuation' in a song,' she laughs. But Washington found herself repeatedly writing about money because of how conflicted she feels about it. 'As an artist, you're not really motivated by money … but when you turn your passion or your joyful escape into your job, the garden can become a factory.' But while there's lyrics about burning with anger and crying at the news ('don't you?'), Washington says Gem is actually 'a totally hopeful, future-facing, wide open album', intended as an oasis. Instead of giving in to pessimism, Washington decided to write what she wanted to be true – 'like a rapper!' Take, for instance, the line on the single Kidding where she triumphantly declares over a soaring beat that she 'believes in the future'. 'You can either sing, 'I feel really scared about the future, because America just elected Donald Trump'. Or you can go the other way, and say what is not so true right now, but maybe you would like to be,' she explains earnestly. 'What would you prefer to sing?' The album's final track is Fine, a song that first appeared in How To Make Gravy, where it was sung by Brendan Maclean. This version features vocals from Washington and Paul Kelly himself. Collaborating with the legendary musician after adapting his song into a film was 'like a lovely bow on a grape', she says, in one of the unique turns of phrase Washington is prone to. Washington already has another two albums written but not recorded. Because the more music she makes, the more she realises she has to give – even if she's just serenading the sinking ship. 'As I make each record, I'm wading deeper and deeper into the sea – that's what it feels like. And the more I go, the more I learn, and the more I learn, the more I want to do,' she says. 'I am a singing animal – I just do it. I just honk. And so I came to realise that If I was shipwrecked on a desert island with nobody around, I would sing all day.' Gem by Meg Washington is out 8 August. Sign up to Saved for Later Catch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips after newsletter promotion Each month we ask our headline act to share the songs that have accompanied them through love, life, lust and death. What was the best year for music, and what five songs prove it? 1997! Shania Twain's You're Still the One; Radiohead's No Surprises; Kylie Minogue's Did It Again; Bic Runga's Sway; and Leonardo's Bride's Even When I'm Sleeping. What music do you clean the house to? Graceland, by Paul Simon. Or Glen Campbell. Housework feels more romantic with a vintage feeling. If your life was a movie, what would the opening credits song be? Part of Your World, from the Little Mermaid. What is your go-to karaoke song? Valerie, by Amy Winehouse/The Zutons. You can mostly sing it by talking, and I like to chill at karaoke. What's a song you can never listen to again? Venus by Bananarama, I heard it so much in the car as a child that now when I hear it I feel instantly carsick, it's pavlovian. What underrated song deserves classic status? Solid Gold by Delta Goodrem. That song is huge. What is a song you loved as a teenager? I've always loved really dense, wordy songs that are almost a puzzle to figure out, like The Real Slim Shady, or One Crowded Hour by Augie March. What is the first song/album you bought? The Australian cast recording of Hot Shoe Shuffle, a tap dancing musical. What is the best song to have sex to? Anything instrumental, please!
