Adelaide’s High Society: Unholy Gossips Expose the City’s Hidden Hierarchy

Adelaide may not have the flashing lights of Sydney or Melbourne, but make no mistake – its social scene is thriving, with exclusivity that rivals the east coast elite.

From Hollywood stars to models, fashion heavyweights, AFL heroes and Instagram royalty – the City of Churches boasts a dazzling pecking order all of its own. 

So, who holds court in Adelaide’s glittering circles, and which movers and shakers are about to break through?

Here are the power players and rising stars in Adelaide’s exclusive set.  

THE A-LIST 

Actress Teresa Palmer sits atop the throne as Adelaide’s undisputed society queen.

Now living in the Adelaide Hills with her five children and husband Mark Webber, Teresa’s career spans blockbuster films as well as critically acclaimed indie projects. 

Her credits include Hacksaw Ridge, Warm Bodies, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Lights Out. 

When she’s not gracing the silver screen, the pregnant wellness guru co-hosts parenting podcast The Mother Daze and owns supplement range Lovewell.

Adut Akech Bior is also one of the city’s most globally recognised faces. 

The supermodel –  born in South Sudan and raised in Adelaide – has walked runways for luxury fashion houses including Chanel, Valentino and Givenchy. 

While Adut used to live overseas, she returned to Adelaide in late 2024 to welcome her first child, Kiki, with husband Samuel Elkhier. 

She told Vogue Australia in October it would be a permanent move. 

‘There are so many places I don’t know in Adelaide, and I think, “This place is really beautiful!” Out of everywhere, I feel like I’m always going to come back here. I actually just bought a piece of land, and next year we’re going to start building.’

And who could forget Poh Ling Yeow, Adelaide’s culinary queen? 

The chef rose from obscurity to prominence after becoming a finalist on MasterChef Australia in 2009, going on to become a beloved TV chef, cookbook author and artist.

Poh is now a judge on MasterChef Australia, and was nominated for a Gold Logie at the 2025 Logie Awards. 

One of Poh’s notable Adelaide-based ventures was her popular café Jamface, located in the heart of Adelaide’s Central Market.

The eccentric eatery, known for its playful menu, operated for four years before closing in 2019 when Poh made the decision to focus on media commitments. 

Poh remains an active presence in Adelaide’s food scene, supporting the Central Market and attending local foodie events.

And the A-list wouldn’t be complete without couture power couple Anna and Paul Vasileff.

Paul, the founder and head designer of internationally acclaimed couture house Paolo Sebastian, has dressed stars like Kim Kardashian, Delta Goodrem and Katy Perry.

His designs have graced red carpets at the Oscars and Grammy Awards.

Anna, a former lawyer, plays a pivotal role in the business side of Paolo Sebastian, overseeing operations and ensuring the brand’s growth.

THE B-LIST  

Topping the B-list is rising model Matilda Baxter, who at just 22, boasts a substantial online presence with 700,000 Instagram followers and more than 200,000 on TikTok.

She gained popularity by sharing glimpses of her glamorous lifestyle and travels, and has collaborated with brands like Victoria’s Secret, Playboy and Allure Hair Beauty. 

Hailing from Normanville on the Fleurieu Peninsula, the society pin-up made headlines in 2024 when her home was burgled. 

Thieves reportedly stole nearly $800,000 worth of designer items during the incident, which was captured on security footage. 

Influencer and model Jess Dover is also a formidable force on Adelaide’s social scene, boasting 106,000 Instagram followers and more than 51,000 on TikTok. 

The former primary school teacher rose to national attention as a contestant on House Rules in 2018, where she competed alongside her then-partner, former AFL player Jared Petrenko. 

The couple split six months after the birth of their first child, and Jess has since found love with Neighbours star Daniel MacPherson.

In the last seven years, Jess has cemented a strong presence in the world of fashion, collaborating with brands like Kookai and ORTC Clothing Co. 

Fashion kingpin Chris Kontos has also earned his spot in the middle tier. 

With a career spanning design, public relations, marketing and business strategy, he has significantly influenced the style scene of South Australia.

Chris is often seen rubbing shoulders with the likes of Nadia Bartel and Effie Kats, and has held prominent roles, including creative director for the Adelaide Fashion Festival. 

Eli Moulton and Justin James are exactly the kind of high-achieving couple Adelaide publicists are dying to have attend their events. ‘They’re very aspirational,’ says a spy.

Eli, an influencer and entrepreneur, is known for her fashion-forward content. She also owns Plus One Dress Hire, a boutique specialising in high-end formalwear.

She shares two children with partner Justin, a renowned chef and co-owner of Restaurant Aptos in Stirling.

Before establishing Aptos, James was the acclaimed executive chef at Restaurant Botanic, an Adelaide venue that won Australia’s Restaurant of the Year in 2022. 

THE C-LIST  

Katya Komarova is a handbag designer with an international cult following. 

Born in Russia, she previously worked as a model and actress before establishing her eponymous label in 2014. ‘Classy’ was the one-word verdict from one of our Adelaide society spies.

Her studio, located on Pirie Street in the CBD, offers a personalised shopping experience for clients seeking handmade leather and felt bags.

Rising internet personality Cali The Kid (real name Joshua David) also deserves a mention.

The 24-year-old has gained recognition for his street interviews, comedic skits and lifestyle content, often exploring themes of relationships and self-improvement.

Joshua has amassed more than 155,000 followers across his social media platforms, including Instagram and TikTok.

Next up are Isabelle Petzl-Duncan and Mitchell O’Leary, who have amassed a large online following with their dance and fashion content.

Known for their relatable, upbeat videos, the couple also made headlines when they moved into a new home in Glenelg North and break-ins forced them to relocate. 

Then there’s Chelsea Becirevic, an influencer and model best known as the partner of towering AFL ruckman Ivan Soldo.

The high-profile WAG, who boasts 83,000 Instagram followers, made headlines in 2024 when she left Adelaide to pursue her dream job as an air hostess in Dubai, saying she found life in the South Australian capital a ‘struggle’. 

‘That didn’t earn her many points among Adelaide’s WAG set. That irked people for sure,’ spills an insider.

However, she later returned to Australia and is now settled in Melbourne, while continuing her relationship with Adelaide-based Soldo, who plays for Port.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail at last year’s Melbourne Cup, Becirevic backtracked on her remarks about Adelaide.

‘People have taken what I said the wrong way. I never dissed Adelaide, ever. I love Adelaide – I have lived there for the past year,’ she said.

Chelsea has also ventured into entrepreneurship, joining subscription-based platform Fanfix, and is planning to launch a men’s fashion line with Soldo in October. 

Our list wouldn’t be complete without an honourable mention: Kayla Itsines. 

Once an Adelaide fixture, the fitness influencer moved to the Gold Coast last year with her ‘toothy’ husband Jae Woodroffe, their son Jax, and her daughter Arna from her relationship with ex-fiancé Tobi Pearce.

‘She’s the definition of nouveau riche. Definitely more suited to the Gold Coast,’ was how one insider put it. Ouch!

Kayla began her career as a trainer at a women’s gym in Adelaide, before co-founding the Bikini Body Training Company (now Sweat) with Pearce.

The business’s success led to the development of the Sweat App, a comprehensive fitness platform that became one of the highest-earning fitness apps in 2016.