Why Kate Ritchie's childhood story stunned The Project hosts: "It was pretty awful at times"
Former Home And Away star Kate Ritchie has opened up about what it was like to grow up on TV screens across the country, revealing the shocking comments strangers made about her body.
During an interview on The Project, Ritchie discussed teenage body image and revealed how her changing body as a young girl was openly discussed by strangers who would approach her in public.
Ritchie first appeared on Home And Away in 1987 as an eight-year-old girl and continued to star on the show for the next two decades.
“Well I have to admit it was pretty awful at times, but I think after 30 years I’m so used to people commenting on my body,” Ritchie said.
“I’m sure this isn’t too crass, but I kind of grew overnight and I’ve had people since then, I go and buy sausages at the butcher or I go to the hairdresser and people tell me they remember the day when Sally Fletcher grew breasts.”
While Ritchie’s revelation drew gasps from the rest of The Project panel, the former soap star said the scrutiny made her strong and she has since learnt that “we shouldn’t be at war with our bodies”.
“The self-consciousness I’m detached from, but I do think that it has affected me in some ways,” she said.
After leaving the show in 2008, Ritchie moved into the radio industry, forging a successful career on Nova’s Kate, Time and Marty drive show since 2014.
Earlier this month, Ritchie won the Australian Commercial Award for Best Entertainment Presenter.
Speaking to news.com.au, Ritchie said the achievement meant so much because it made her feel accepted in the radio industry.
“It does mean a lot because it’s been a period of reshaping my career in some ways,” she said.
Ritchie is also a children’s book author and is currently promoting her second book It’s Not Scribble to Me.