Melissa George: the truth behind the tirade
In a stunning outburst, Melissa George slammed her countrymen and her past after an interview on Seven's The Morning Show last Friday. But what really went down behind the scenes?
'I don't need credibility from my country any more,' George infamously said. 'I just need them all to be quiet... If they have nothing intelligent to say, please don't speak to me any more.
'I'd rather be having a croissant and an espresso in Paris or walking my French bulldog in New York City.'
So what exactly sparked the outburst? George claimed it was constant and 'disgusting' Australian media references to her role as Angel on Home and Away that pushed her over the edge.
But Seven staff were left nonplussed.
'The moment was so surreal and irrational, I half expected Alf Stewart to come around the corner and deliver the next line,' said The Morning Show Executive Producer Sarah Stinson.
While imagery shown during the segment referenced George's Home and Away past, it was not a focus of the piece, Stinson said.
'We didn’t mention Home and Away at all in the interview, so I don’t know why she insists on saying it’s all we spoke about.'
Melissa approved all the questions she would be asked and told The Morning Show's Producer, 'I don’t care what you ask me'.
She was even shown a copy of the script for the segment, but imposed no sanctions on the interview, Stinson said.
The producer also denied George's claims that none of her post-Home and Away work was mentioned. 'Before the interview we ran a one minute bio package which also included Alias, Grey's Anatomy, The Slap and Hunted.
'Seventeen former Home and Away stars have appeared on The Morning Show, all more than happy to discuss and embrace their roots,' said Stinson.
George is in Australia to commence filming on Felony, co-starting Joel Edgerton and Tom Wilkinson.
She received a Golden Globe nomination for her role in TV drama In Treatment, going on to star in hot series Greys Anatomy and Hunted.
Her recent Australian role in The Slap was well-received by critics.
