Former eighties 'It Girl' Tottie Goldsmith has spoken candidly about her romantic history and explained her decision to turn down a high-profile opportunity to find love on television.
Why The Golden Bachelor Wasn't For Her
The 63-year-old actress and singer, who is the niece of the late Olivia Newton-John, confirmed that producers for the Australian version of The Golden Bachelor had approached her. The series featured 20 women vying for the affection of bachelor Barry 'Bear' Myrden.
"They actually did reach out and asked me if I'd be interested," Goldsmith revealed. However, she declined the offer, stating that dating is challenging enough without a public audience. "Personally, I didn't want to, because it's hard enough to date without it being out in front of people and getting rejected in front of people or chosen," she explained.
She described the prospect of being seen in such a vulnerable state as "too vulnerable," adding that opening up to someone new already carries significant risk.
Navigating Love in the Public Eye
Goldsmith, who has experienced a string of highly publicised relationships, believes being a known figure complicates dating. "People have a formed idea about you," she said. "They're attracted to the idea of your profile, which is really sad for us because they're not seeing the person they're seeing. [They see] what it brings to them or that you're a token, and that's tough."
Her romantic past includes:
- Marriage to champion skier Steven Lee, with whom she shares a daughter, Layla Lee-Curtis.
- A high-profile relationship with Nine Network presenter Richard Wilkins in the 1990s.
- An engagement to businessman James Mayo in 2008.
- A reported short-lived fling with art dealer Tim Olsen earlier this year.
Reflecting on her past with Wilkins, now 71, Goldsmith recalled the pressures of dating within the industry. "It was tricky, and it's a pressure I wouldn't choose again," she admitted, though she fondly remembered him as a "lovely guy" with a "great sense of humour."
A New Chapter: Honouring Olivia and Finding Joy
Today, Goldsmith is focusing on a happy and healthy life, surrounded by close female friends. She has also taken on the poignant role of keeping her famous aunt's memory alive following Olivia Newton-John's passing in 2022 at age 73.
Last month, she performed a special show at Melbourne's Bird's Basement jazz club, which she described as more of a "love letter" than a tribute. "It's really joyful," she said of the performance, which included funny stories from life on the road with 'Liv'. She is scheduled to return to the venue on February 13th.
When it comes to modern dating, Goldsmith acknowledges the shift to digital platforms. "I think dating now, I really understand the online thing, especially as you get older, because you don't want to go out, you don't go out as much," she said. "You know, you want to be in bed by nine o'clock. And I think dating, for older people, is hard."
