“I’m terrible at predicting who will be in the final. In fact, I’m terrible at predicting who’s going to go home every week,” Sonia Kruger tells WHO about whether she’s developed a sixth sense after hosting a myriad of top-rating reality shows over the years. It seems she’s just as surprised and emotionally invested as the audience, which helps explain why she loves doing what she does.
Speaking about younger contestants on The Voice, she says, “[They often] have never even sung outside their bedroom and certainly never on a stage like The Voice in front of four global superstar coaches and 1000 people. They’re so invested in it, and especially if they don’t get a chair turned, my heart sinks a little bit for them.”
As these emotional moments happen, Kruger, 58, is in the wings, supporting each performer – and looking great as she does it.
“[The fashion is] so much fun, and each show has its own identity, too. The Voice [is] usually a bit more edgy. Dancing with the Stars is all about sequins, feathers and diamantés and as much sparkle as we can find. I really love that I get to play in both those arenas,” she tells WHO. On her days off, however, Kruger prefers a low-key look.
“I just literally went out in public and I’m wearing Ugg boots that are so old – you know when they start out black and then they sort of go slightly grey and [have]stains?” she admits, adding that she paired them with old but “cosy” track pants. Sporting a relaxed look gives her a chance to fly under the radar, too. “It’s kind of a disguise because I don’t think anybody would expect me to dress like this in real life.”
On a more glamorous note, she gives WHO a hint of what dresses – yes, more than one – she’ll don for the TV Week Logie Awards, airing on Channel 7 on August 18. “I think you will like both of them. They’re pretty amazing,” says Kruger, who’ll be hosting the red carpet special.
Last year, she took home the Gold Logie, and is nominated for the big prize again this year, as well as Most Popular Presenter. While she’s not expecting back-to-back wins, she admits she’ll prepare a few words this time after her acceptance speech last year fell a little flat and left her with regrets.
“Will I prepare? I think yes,” she says with a laugh. “I’m not expecting lightning to strike twice. I’m not at all imagining that would ever happen in a million years, unless people really want to see me make a hash of it a second time around. I haven’t done anything yet, but it’s like homework, isn’t it? Maybe I’ll just cram the night before.”
Being one of the best in the business, Kruger has learnt to run with whatever happens on live TV, and with a wealth of experience, she wants to share it.
“When I was trying to get into the industry, I just had to go really on instinct and there was nobody for me to ask advice from. So I love to give people help, because it is a difficult industry to break into.” The advice she gives most? “Get as many skills under your belt as you possibly can. That’s really, I think, what will give you longevity in this business.”
While she seems like the busiest woman in showbiz, it’s actually a quieter time for the star at the moment. “Luckily [my time off] coincides with school holidays, so we had a family holiday.” Kruger shares her daughter, Maggie, 9, with her partner, Craig McPherson. “[During busy times] I generally try to be there for either drop- off or pick-up.”
She’s thankful her schedule is only hectic for specific periods. “I feel lucky to get to spend a lot of time with Maggie,” she says. “I know it’s hard to juggle for most women. It’s a lot especially if you’ve got more than one child. Wow! Hats off to those parents.”
(DWTS airs Sun., Aug. 11 at 7pm and Mon., Aug. 12 at 7.30pm on Channel 7 and 7 Plus)
