Armytage slams unwanted stalkers
talking has become a real issue for Sunrise hostSamantha Armytage after one Seven Network executive suggested she is being followed to and from her home.
The bubbly Sunrise host knew she would garner more attention when she advanced from fill-in to permanent host of breakfast show Sunrise more than two years ago, but not to this extent.
Whether it be at her local supermarket, grabbing a bite to eat or even arriving at LA airport, there’s usually a paparazzo following.
The Seven executive told AAP that more recently she was distastefully followed and papped while attending a funeral, although its believed the photos have not sold.
Armytage said she was warned that her sudden rise in profile may lead to more attention but not to the point that she couldn’t walk out of her door or even attend a funeral in private.
“I wasn’t expecting that level of attention, so it’s taken a little bit of getting used to,” Armytage, above, told AAP.
Not only has the attention focused on where Armytage is but who she is dating, what she is wearing and her body image, which seemed to escalate after she hosted the reality show Bringing Sexy Back.
The scrutiny gathered momentum until Armytage got on the front foot and announced to a news website that “I’m a size 12 with big boobs — we all need to get over it”.
Her stance against needing to be stick-thin resonated with women and it also sent the body-image bullies scattering.
“It seems to have calmed down and you do get tired of talking about it day in and day out ...” she said. “I didn’t set out to be the voice of normal women but I am a normal woman and fortunately I am in a job where I reach a lot of people, so if that resonates with people and if it gives them self confidence and happiness, then that’s terrific.”
Armytage said there was also a fascination with her private life and who she was dating.
She has has been romantically linked toRussell Crowe and Modern Family’sEric Stonestreet , who was in Australia to film an episode of the US comedy.
“People are interested in your private lives and what you might be going through. But there’s lots to me and people only seem to be interested in the weight or who I am dating,” she said.
“But there’s more to me than that, like I play golf ... and I have a rowing machine at home for when I can’t get to the gym ... and at some point I’d love to live in the country.”
