Who is Todd McKenney?
Good question, I’m a mixture of things. Shy, flamboyant, outrageous, generous, loving and thoughtful.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I love doing what I do – I couldn’t think of anything else.
Who inspires you and why?
My Mum – she is brutally honest and talks from the heart. I try to emulate her everyday.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
A tunnel from my house in Pymble to the airport with no tolls.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Rome without a doubt. I fell in love with the people, the city, the fashion and the architecture. Nothing beats exploring the city on your own or having cocktails on the rooftop of the Hotel Eden. It is at the top of the Spanish Steps and overlooks the Vatican.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
A ferry around Sydney Harbour and then a drive to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. Show them a real dose of Sydney.
What are you currently reading?
Whatever You Think, Think The Opposite by Paul Arden and the latest edition of Home Beautiful.
What are you currently listening to?
La Cage aux Folles starring Kelsey Grammer.
Happiness is?
A day off with the family and my greyhound. Nothing also beats a sleep on the couch in the afternoon.
What does the future hold for you?
A lot of work and enjoying what I do. I would like to do more radio.
Inspiring, provocative, compelling radio host, film actor, musical theatre performer, television personality, Todd McKenney knows showbiz from every angle. Todd has worked across stage, screen, television and radio.
Since 2004, Todd has enjoyed his role as a judge on Channel 7’s immensely popular Dancing with the Stars. He has also hosted Channel 7’s National Spelling Bee and been a guest presenter on The Morning Show with Kylie Gillies.
Todd has been in the entertainment industry for years. He has represented Australia in ballroom and Latin American dancing, winning many international dancing titles – perfect training for his role as Nathan Starkey in Baz Luhrmann’s internationally acclaimed film Strictly Ballroom.
After landing the prized role of Peter Allen in the critically acclaimed Australian hit The Boy from Oz, Todd played the role for 766 performances, receiving two Mo Awards, the Variety Club Heart Award, the Glugs Award, the Green Room Award, the Australian Dance Award and two Helpmann Awards. Todd also won the 2005 Mo Award in the Versatile Variety Performer of the Year category.
Whilst balancing his roles as breakfast radio host for Sydney radio station Mix 106.5 and judge on Dancing With The Stars, Todd starred in the musical hit Priscilla Queen Of The Desert for which he received rave reviews and another Helpmann Award nomination.
In 2010 Todd reprised his role as Peter Allen in The Production Company’s new production of The Boy From Oz. The show was critically acclaimed and toured Australia in 2010 and 2011. In 2011 Todd played the role of Lord Evelyn Oakley for the Production Company’s Anything Goes.
In 2012, Todd starred in John Frost’s production of Annie in the role of Rooster Hannigan. He also appeared in series 12 of Dancing With The Stars, as well as touring his own show Not The Boy Next Door: The Songs and Stories of Peter Allen.
Recently, Todd has been performing the role of Teen Angel in the new production of Grease in Brisbane and Sydney, which also opens this week at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre. For more information, visit: www.greaseistheword.com.au for details.
Image: Todd McKenney