Since launching The Group Chat last year, we’ve been inundated with angry requests from high society types to reveal the identity of our well-connected sources.
Which, of course, we’ll never do.ย
The stories that have attracted particular scorn are the ‘guess who, don’t sue’ blind items that cap off each gossip column. They are soย scandalous we couldn’t possibly name the people involved due to the defamation risk…
…but that doesn’t mean the subjects don’t recognise themselves in our cryptic stories of binges, meltdowns, shocking driving, naughty nannies and looming divorces.
We hear our tawdry tales have led to plenty of finger-pointing among the rich, famous and badly behaved living in Australia’s most exclusive postcodes. Some have even started to limit the guest list to their ‘after-hours’ parties where the fun stuff happens, out of fear someone might be leaking to us.
Here we present the best blind items from the first three months of The Group Chat, plus a new one to reward our long-time Mail+ subscribers.ย
Read the best of our blind gossip items from the first three months of The Group Chatย (stock image posed by model)
Hot off the press: Who’s raiding their ‘Mardi Gras molly’ after running out of coke?
Which famous name was looking to get into the festive spirit of the Sydney Mardi Gras by securing some ecstasy for the parade after-parties?
Unfortunately, come the big day, they had to settle for getting high on life instead.
That’s because a few days earlier, they had run out of coke while attending a party and decided toย crush their MDMA pill and snort it.
At first the rumour was they were hoovering up crushed dexies – the street name for the stimulant dexamphetamine, which is used to treatย ADHD.
But we were corrected by our source, who assured us this celeb is quite discerning with their drugs and ‘doesn’t mess with the prescription stuff’.
(Not so) big in Japan
A genuine Aussie A-lister found themselves unexpectedly humbled in a small bar in Japan recently.
A famous name apparently raided their ‘Mardi Gras molly’ stash after running out of coke at a party days earlier (stock image posed by model)
Despite being one of our biggest Hollywood exports, my spy tells me they were treated like just any other member of Joe Public when they shuffled into Narukiyo Izakaya, an ultra-trendy basement sushi bar in Tokyo, a couple of weeks ago.
The well-refreshed star could be heard slurring their own very famous name repeatedly to the non-English speaking waiter at the bar, who checked and re-checked whether they had a booking.
After giving up on blagging a reservation, they were shown to a seat-for-one at the bar and promptly ignored.
Minutes later, the same waiter’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree when a young, tall and incredibly handsome Japanese man came to the door.
Not being au fait with Tokyo celebrities, my source couldn’t identify the man, but they assumed he was some kind of film or TV star judging by the reception he received.
The local star then pointed over to our lonely-looking Aussie propping up the bar. The mortified waiter, realising his error, scurried over to apologise then whisked them off to a VIP table.
Anย Aussie A-lister (not pictured) was treated like just any other member of Joe Public when they shuffled into Narukiyo Izakaya, a trendy sushi bar in Tokyo, a couple of weeks ago
Nanny blows up a society marriageย
When it’s your job to look after the children of the uber wealthy, discretion is Nanny 101.
However, one professional babysitter broke that cardinal rule the moment she was fired.
After being let go by the wife of the cashed-up family, this loose-lipped nanny decided to drop a bombshell on her way out the door, accusing the husband of sliding into her DMs repeatedly to catch up for drinks.
Yikes!
Next time they might think about making the help sign an NDA!
The bails are off for Australian cricket golden couple
During the Boxing Day Test, one of our national players and his wife slept in separate suites at theย Quay West Hotel in South Bank.
‘It’s an open secret they’re headed for divorce,’ a WAG told The Group Chat.
‘We all knew they stayed in different suites during the Test.’
According to the insider, the couple is quickly (and quietly) mediating a divorce settlement given the player’s significant stake in a business with soaring stocks.
The unsubtle surgeon
For weeks I’ve been writing about the latest favourite surgery of the ladies-who-lunch set: the half facelift.
Or mini facelift, or lower facelift, or partial facelift – whatever you want to call it.
The surgical procedure involves tightening and lifting the skin in the lower face and neck, giving you a subtly more youthful appearance without that full-on facelift look.
It has become so popular that a fashion designer who you have definitely heard of is also rumoured to have had it done.
Anyway, sources tell me one of the surgeons operating on these ladies is anything but discreet. In fact, this doctor has been blowing his own trumpet at dinner parties, using two well-known media personalities as testimonials.
The only problem is these celebrities haven’t publicly disclosed they’ve had the mini facelift done. And I don’t think they’d be pleased to hear their doc sounding off on their surgical history…
Since launching The Group Chat with Lucy Manly last year, we’ve been inundated with angry requests from society types to reveal the identity of our well-connected sources
Radio silence on licence rumourย
A popular on-air personality appears to have lost her driver’s licence.
For weeks now, the radio star and her daughter have been ferried around Sydney in her SUV by an elderly gentleman who is neither her boyfriend nor a relative.
‘He looks like a driver,’ a clued-up paparazzi tells me.
She’s been taken to work, home and massage appointments. Her usually responsive management did not reply when contacted for comment.
(Two months after we published this item in December, KIIS FM host Jackie O confirmed she’d lost her licence after being caught wearing her seatbelt incorrectly. However, Jackie is not the subject of any of the other blind items in this article.)
‘Influencer hotel’ shaggers on noticeย
It’s the go-to Queensland hotel for influencers, celebrities and the ultra-wealthy.
But this venue’s luxury swimming pool and balconies have become a hotspot for horny guests with an exhibitionist kink. The Group Chat hears management has given several stern warnings to a number of guests who were caught in flagrante.
In one case last year, a group of guests had their rooms raided and were kicked out after remnants of a white powdery substance were discovered.
Socialite’s 6am meltdown at the ‘kick-ons from hell’ย
And on the subject of white powdery substances… which notorious party girl was up to her usual tricks in Sydney’s eastern suburbs recently?
She already has a reputation for being the one licking the bag at the end of the night – but this time she went ‘way too far’, according to my source.
Rumour has it she had been supplying the goods all evening and into the early hours of the morning. She was about to open a bag at 6am when one of her exhausted girlfriends suggested they call it a night… and she completely lost it.
Fuelled by fury ‘that came out of nowhere’, she went into a full-blown meltdown that left her party pals shaken and racing for the door before their Ubers had even arrived.
This isn’t the first time she’s been accused of taking things too far. Perhaps it’s time to take a break?
GTA: School Zoneย
Which young celebrity was driving with a lead foot during the school run, drawing horrified looks from pedestrians who recognised the person behind the wheel?
We hear they sped in a school zone – a big no-no.
While we’ve all crept over 40 km/h by mistake, onlookers claimed this star’s driving was particularly brazen. Some were even inspired to report them to police.
We’ll let you know if anything comes of it…
Open slather at the tennisย
We’re used to seeing heads swing from side to side at Melbourne Park as spectators eagerly follow the ball during play.
But one Aussie TV star’s entire body was swaying at the Australian Open final, and sources say it had nothing to do with the game.
We hear they enjoyed a few too many refreshments at a celebrity party beforehand.
However, by all accounts they are a ‘happy drunk’ after a few too many, so the other celebrity attendees didn’t seem to mind.
A berry tempting offerย
Which well-known socialite had one too many champagnes between tennis sets in January as she took on the role of proud stage mum?
I hear the maven was showing off photos of her (of legal age) teenage daughter in lingerie to fellow diners at a fancy bistro.
According to one bystander, she asked if any of the men would like to ask her out, all the while taking long, sensuous drags from her berry-flavoured vape.
No horsing around as coke falls out of fashion
Which Sydney identity is the social scene’s point of contact for a good time?
The Group Chat hears this socialite is dealing coke on the side. Partygoers say they are an easy hook-up, praising both the product and customer service.
But the side hustle may be short-lived, as we hear cocaine is fast falling out of fashion as Sydney’s powder of choice during the cost-of-living crisis.
Their new favourite drug? Everyone’s favourite horse tranquiliser, ketamine.
The millionaire couch surferย
Which entrepreneur has been house-hopping and partying up a storm over the summer break at the business end of Wunulla Road in Point Piper – one of the most expensive streets in the country?
Having recently split from her husband, this business bombshell is finding herself couch-surfing in the lavish homes of other entrepreneurs while still trying to find a forever home.
We hear she is ruffling a few society feathers in the process.
The well-heeled peninsula of the east is no stranger to raucous society matrons and models, but neighbours are hoping the incessant comings and goings late into the night will settle down soon.
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