Charlotte Dawson Confirms Departure From ‘Australia’s Next Top Model’

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Published

January 17, 2014

Describing the industry it lampoons as “a brutal game”, Australia’s Next Top Model mentor and judge Charlotte Dawson has announced on Twitter that she will not be returning to the show for its ninth cycle of diamante-studded, high drama pageantry following a “change of heart.”

After five seasons of knowing banter with Sunglasses Head as ANTM’s delightfully pro-scathing mother hen, Dawson has posted a series of missives over the last few days confirming the end of her ‘journey’ on the show whose love of a ‘journey’ comes second only to a love of tears during the makeovers episode.

Dawson hinted at her possible departure from the show, and television itself, last year when she told News Corp, “I’m tired of the anxiety that comes with working in media, especially as a woman, because you’re scrutinised daily, and abused about the way you look. I’m ageing and I’m accepting that. The graceful thing, the dignified thing, is to walk away.”

I will not be part of ANTM again but it has been the greatest show/experience I’ve had in my broadcasting career. #grateful

— Charlotte Dawson (@MsCharlotteD) January 14, 2014

I truly adored my time on ANTM but my heart tells me I don’t think young girls should pursue the Modelling world.

— Charlotte Dawson (@MsCharlotteD) January 15, 2014

Bring it! Hypocrisy since I was a 16 year old that began my career but I can no longer be a part of this machine.

— Charlotte Dawson (@MsCharlotteD) January 15, 2014

I want to make it clear ANTM exercise the greatest duty of care with all contestants. I’ve merely had a change of heart. New beginnings!

— Charlotte Dawson (@MsCharlotteD) January 16, 2014

Dawson’s departure from the show that made her a household name in households with Foxtel follows on from her ongoing moonlighting as a vigilante social media user addressing head on the very real problem presented by trolls, which was reportedly one of the reasons for which she was dropped by her erstwhile management at Chic at the end of last year. According to her Twitter bio, she has since found new management.

Good luck, Char Char. [Cue terrible exit music]