Latest news with #GraceHayden
News.com.au
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Aussie presenter Grace Hayden returns serve on nepo-baby critics
When you're the son or daughter of a famous figure and start to make a name for yourself, nepotism claims are going to be following close behind. Grace Hayden knows that all too well. The daughter of Australian cricket legend Matthew Hayden, Grace has been shining brightly on her own path for several years in the media ranks. Despite that, social media criticism can be seen far and wide anytime she appears on a television screen. The 23-year-old knows that some doors have been opened thanks to her dad, but how she's reached this point in her career hasn't been a simple stroll in the park … she's put in the hard yards and is now crafting her own journey. 'I am somewhat living in dad's footsteps, but I feel like I'm creating and paving my own path while still respecting dad's legacy,' Grace said to 'I'm just doing it my own way. I think that's the most important thing is making it my own. And you know what people want to say about nepotism all the time, right? And yes, I'm going to own the fact that yep, it opens doors for sure. 'But you do have to work really hard to stay in a job … It doesn't matter if you're a child of someone or you're a partner of someone, you still have to work bloody hard to earn your stripes in anything you might do.' And she has a simple message to those who will continue to sit back and paint her with the nepo-baby tag. 'I say thank you and move on,' she said. 'I just don't see it as a hate comment. I'm like, you can call me a nepo-baby, go for it. Thank you for saying that to me because I am one of the most competitive people of all time. 'I grew up as an athlete myself playing every sport under the sun, I was sports girl of the year most years at my school in Brisbane. 'I just loved it so anything that people give me a challenge on, I'm like, you know what? Game on. And that's the perfect name of my podcast Game on with Grace. 'It's like I love a bit of a competition. I love a challenge. So, if people want to give me hate comments, go for it.' In today's day and age, social media backlash has become an all too common occurrence with hate comments flooding in at a rapid rate. Having grown up on the world's stage, Grace was brought up with one simple mindset that she continues to maintain throughout it all. 'Keep your family close. Your family know who you are. Your friends know who you are. The rest don't matter,' she said. 'As long as you're checking in with the people that you care about and that care about you and they're giving you honest feedback … which definitely in my family and my mates that's definitely an open door in terms of criticism. 'But it's always you know those people that you lean on rather than listening to the white noise 'Not every single person is going to like you in this world. And you know what? I'm okay with that. 'As long as my family know who I am and my friends know who I am and they can sense check me. I'm right.' Grace's media career continues to go from strength to strength and it reached new heights behind the launch of her podcast with US streaming service Willow. The biweekly series will see her host candid conversations with athletes and artists. The latest venture comes after she worked for broadcaster Star India throughout the Indian Premier League. She has also featured as a fashion expert and roving reporter with Channel 7's horse racing coverage, and she worked alongside her father with the Disney-Star network during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. In January this year she joined digital sport platform Racing X as the new face of the Hong Kong-based international racing content operation. After making her network debut with Channel 7 in 2022, Grace's star is on the rise with her new venture the latest stepping stone as she quickly becomes one of the most popular presenters in Australian sport.
News.com.au
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Aussie sport presenter Grace Hayden caught in steamy public display
Aussie sport presenter Grace Hayden and her boyfriend have shown they are not afraid to go public with their romance. The popular TV host was on Sunday spotted at Noosa beach soaking in the sun and surf alongside her partner, Wilson Statham. The 23-year-old daughter of cricket legend Matthew Hayden has had a whirlwind 12 months with her broadcasting career on a meteoric rise. West Indies vs. Australia Test & T20I Series | Watch every ball LIVE with ESPN, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. The couple only recently returned from a glamorous European getaway with Hayden describing some of their Italian seaside destinations as 'paradise'. Photos shared with her 260,000 Instagram followers earlier this month showed the loved-up duo enjoying each other's company at several holiday spots. Hayden and Statham, who is heir to the Statham family's cotton production empire, were happy to continue flaunting their affections for each other again when they stepped out at Noosa this weekend. Photos showed Hayden was not shy to flaunt her famous figure as she stripped down to a two-piece Imana Swim bikini. With Wilson sporting casual knee-length black swim shorts, the pair packed on the PDA after first splashing about in the Sunshine Coast waves. The couple have dealt with plenty of relationship hurdles since rumours of their romance first spread in June, 2024. The couple hard launched their connection in October when they made a rare appearance together on Everest Day at Sydney's Royal Randwick Racecourse. Statham's parents, David and Danielle, own and operate the Sundown Pastoral Company, a family-run, privately-owned cotton and cropping enterprise spanning Queensland and northern NSW. It has previously been estimated the family's net worth is around $300m. Hayden is enjoying some downtime after a turbulent few months covering cricket overseas. She was in India working with TV giant Star India during the 2025 IPL when the world's richest T20 tournament was called off as a result of the escalating conflict between India and Pakistan. Hayden was in Mumbai in May when the tournament was suspended as Aussie cricket players and commentators were left trying to flee the country as tensions rose between the nuclear-armed neighbours. She has proven herself just as popular with an international audience as she had back at home during her previous appearances on Channel 7's Test cricket and horse racing coverage. Her latest project will see her introduced to an emerging cricket audience in the United States. Grace is hosting Willow's first original podcast Game on with Grace. Willow is emerging as the biggest cricket broadcaster in the United States ahead of the sport's return to the Olympics at the Las Angeles Games in 2026. Grace's bi-weekly series will see Grace host candid conversations with athletes and artists. 'Game On is about pulling back the curtain on the world of sports' untold stories,' Grace said. 'I grew up in cricket's front row and have covered its biggest tournaments, but the moments that fascinate me most happen off camera. 'Partnering with Willow allows me to share those raw, funny, and inspiring conversations with athletes, artists, and anyone chasing greatness. I can't wait to bring these stories to fans each week on the Willow app and wherever they listen to podcasts.' The first episode of the series centres around her dad's former teammate, legendary Aussie wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist. In a statement provided to Willow COO Todd Myers said Grace's knowledge of the game makes her a 'uniquely powerful and authentic voice'. 'Launching Willow's first original series is an important step in expanding how we serve and grow the cricket community,' Myers said. Grace's knowledge of the game, combined with a confident on-screen presence, makes her a uniquely powerful and authentic voice as the host of Game On with Grace. This podcast will bring authenticity, energy, and a fresh voice that will resonate with both longtime cricket fans and newcomers alike.' In January this year she joined digital sport platform Racing X as the new face of the Hong Kong-based international racing content operation. Her return to Channel 7 for this summer's Ashes series has not been confirmed but Aussie fans will likely be looking forward so seeing her in action as Australia takes on the Old Enemy.
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Glamorous cricket commentator Grace Hayden kicks off her new career with a VERY risque revelation about her legendary dad stripping naked on a tour
Cricket commentator Grace Hayden has been taking the broadcasting world by storm and has just embarked on her latest venture. She is the daughter of legendary Australian cricket superstar, Matthew Hayden, and has spent the last year working for Star Sports on their coverage of the Indian Premier League, Channel 7's horse racing and the GT20 in Canada. The 23-year-old has now made her podcasting debut, launching her own series on Willow TV, entitled Game On with Grace Hayden, and welcomed a very special guest for the first episode. She was joined by her dad's old team-mate and fellow Aussie cricket legend Adam Gilchrist, with the pair going on to recount some of the wicketkeeper's greatest and funniest stories from his time playing with the Test side between 1999 and 2008. And it is no surprise that Hayden's dad, Matthew, featured in one of Gilly's funniest stories, a yarn that Grace later admitted her mother hates. The Aussie Test side had just won a match in Cape Town in South Africa. They had gone into the dressing room to perform the customary team song. But things escalated as Gilchrist admitted that the team decided to 'take things off-piste'. Hayden has been taking the broadcasting world by storm and has just embarked on her latest venture 'We ended up going off to the cable car in Cape Town, up to Table Mountain,' Gilchrist explained to the Game On with Grace Hayden podcast. 'Some [players] were in the cable car, others were on the roof of the cable car, which OH&S wouldn't have a great time with. Asked who got on top of the car, Gilly revealed: 'Well, one M. Hayden was on top of there and not only that, but he decided to drop a nude bomb. 'So he's basically stark naked with an Aussie flag draping around his neck. 'So, think Leonardo DiCaprio at the front of the Titanic... That was his 'king of the world' type moment.' Speaking to Perth Now, Grace revealed another funny aspect of the story. 'Mum absolutely despises that,' she told the outlet. 'She was pregnant with the youngest back at home. But honestly, what goes on on tour, I think, should stay behind closed doors. 'Thank goodness there were no cell phones and video footage of that one,' she joked. Grace spoke affectionately of her father, one of the Australian cricket team's great larrikins. While many remember his sensational and ruthless ability to slog cricket balls with the bat, Grace admits her dad has a softer side. 'Obviously, he didn't have that reputation back on the cricket pitch, but anyone who knows him now, he's just a big, soft teddy bear,' she explained to Perth Now. The emerging Aussie presenter explained to the outlet that her new podcast hopes to take a deep dive behind the scenes at the lives of much loved and revered Australian athletes. 'Obviously, we see the records, we see them at their highest. But getting to know them off the field or off the court, and just having a chat and a space to have heart-to-heart conversations and have a laugh, tell some untold stories,' she added. The glamorous TV presenter also has an eye for fashion, but admitted that she and her dad don't quite agree when it comes to his outfit choices. Matthew is known for sporting his now iconic cowboy hat when he makes an appearance on TV. And that is the one thing Grace says they can agree on. Hayden landed one of the biggest breaks of her budding TV career this year, working as a presenter for Star Sports' coverage of the Indian Premier League 'Fashion isn't the thing that we see eye to eye on,' she said. 'I actually like the big hat on Dad. I think it suits him.' During the podcast, Gilchrist also praised that group of players, not only for talent, but for the bond they all shared during those long tours. 'That was a team that knew they had something unique by way of skill level and achievement. But maintained a sense of humour throughout,' he added. He also revealed a touching story about how he arrived later than the rest of the squad at the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the Carribbean. He had flown out after having become a dad but admitted he was 'pretty flat' having to leave his partner and the baby behind. 'I was starting to question [whether] I should be there. The first night I found a quiet little beach bar, I had a beer, and as you do, you celebrate your little stogie. But I took a companion with me and that happened to be your old man,' he told Grace. 'Of course,' she replied. 'We've all celebrated all our children pretty well,' Gilchrist added. 'But moments like that, just sitting and talking. She has recently been spending time in Italy on vacation with her boyfriend Wilson Statham (right) and several other friends 'I ended up in tears about how emotional I was. Just leaning on those around you. 'The next night I went and did the same. He came again. And then the next night, until the point where John Buchanan said: 'Righto, Gilly come here. Are you ready to get into this World Cup now?' And I think I asked him for one more night.' He revealed they got their extra night out, but he added he 'wasn't the one lone ranger. I think everyone came along and we had a nice blowout'.
Perth Now
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Aus cricket great's daughter spills crazy untold team story
Raised in the shadow of an Australian cricket great, emerging TV personality Grace Hayden is out to prove she's more than just 'Matthew Hayden's daughter' as she steers her very own sports show for US broadcaster Willow. Launching her weekly video podcast on Monday morning, titled Game On with Grace, the project continues an upward trajectory for the 23-year-old following stints as a presenter for the IPL, Channel 7's horse racing coverage, and the GT20 Canada. 'We came up with the idea of uncovering and showing a guide to the athletes that we know and love,' she told PerthNow. 'Obviously, we see the records, we see them at their highest. But getting to know them off the field or off the court, and just having a chat and a space to have heart-to-heart conversations and have a laugh, tell some untold stories.' Grace Hayden presenting in India. Credit: Grace Hayden Pursuing modelling as a teenager, Hayden's love for the spotlight began as a youngster when the cameras chased her family around airports or cricket grounds in the wake of her dad's various accomplishments. But hardly a slouch on the field, the high-achiever won most sports girl of the year awards in high school and was the 'most competitive person you've ever met'. However, carrying the burden of her famous name meant the precocious youngster faced more scrutiny than most. 'People always want to have their comment or their say, but, you know, it builds thicker skin, and it teaches you to work hard on your own merit,' she admitted. Grace Hayden flaunts a glamorous look. Credit: Grace Hayden / IG With trailblazing wicket keeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist as her show's first guest, the host said she could she could never have imagined the revered figures she grew up around would one day spill their private moments on camera to 'little Gracie'. Because many yarns of yesteryear have not quite enjoyed their full spin, even those involving the debaucherous side to her father. 'Gilly, on the podcast, told a story of, back in South Africa, a World Cup or something that they won, and he (Matthew Hayden) got on top of the gondola (cable car) in Cape Town naked with the Australian flag wrapped around him. So that was a goody,' she laughed. 'Mum absolutely despises that, she was pregnant with the youngest back home. But honestly, what goes on in tour, I think should stay behind closed doors. 'Thank goodness there were no cell phones and video footage of that one.' The former keeper said players would strengthen their bonds while on tour, and in that instance, they took the team song away from the change room. 'Some were in the cable car, others were on the roof of the cable car... OH&S wouldn't have had a great time,' Gilchrist recalled. Speaking effusively of her father's relationship with fellow opener Justin Langer, Hayden said it's special to see their connection grow in the years following both of their retirements. Labelling the West Aussie and her father as an 'unlikely pair' with a good friendship, she explained that another former star-turned-coach has stayed just as tight with her dad. 'Even to this day, they're super close to him, JL and Punter (Ricky Ponting), they're just the deadly trio, we like to call them,' she said. Hayden said the ferocity with which her father wielded the bat does not match the bubbly and happy-go-lucky approach he has as a broadcaster. 'Obviously, he didn't have that reputation back on the cricket pitch, but anyone who knows him now, he's just a big, soft teddy bear,' she said. Matthew Hayden cradles daughter Grace during his playing career. Credit: Grace Hayden/IG / IG Enjoying a social following of 300,000, and regularly flaunting her many glamorous looks, the young presenter looks every bit the rising media star. However, like many children, she doesn't quite agree with the fashion choices of the generation before her. One point of contention is her dad's larger-than-life hat collection that has caught the eye of fans across the world. And not always for the right reasons. 'Fashion isn't the thing that we see eye to eye on,' she joked, adding, 'I actually like the big hat on Dad. I think it suits him'. While too young to witness her father's famous knock of 380 at the WACA in 2003, Hayden has enjoyed recent visits to Perth, including her attendance at Mandurah Crab Fest in 2024 with her father who is an avid fisherman. And she's been twisting the arm of her boyfriend, Wilson Statham, to take her whale shark dark diving up the WA coast when time permits. Wilson Statham and Grace Hayden. Credit: Grace Hayden/IG / IG 'I'm a surfer, so you've kind of got it all,' Hayden said. 'Beautiful beaches, nice wine, beautiful people. But the Crab Fest, it was such a nice community vibe, good food, music. It had it all, really. And in Mandurah, what a spot to be, very lucky.' Fans can watch Game On with Grace on all major podcast platforms.
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Howzat for a body! Candid beach photos show sports presenter Grace Hayden like you've NEVER seen before - as she hits back at snarky rumour surrounding her career success
It's hardly the most glamorous of sports. But Grace Hayden is certainly bringing sizzling sex appeal to the world of cricket as a member of Seven's all-star broadcast team.
