Remember Neighbours heartthrob Scott Michaelson, who played surfer dude Brad Willis from 1991 to 1993? Well, buckle up, because he’s looking very different these days – and he is arguably still as dashing!
In a bold move 30 years ago, Michaelson bid goodbye to his peak soap star career, trading in the flashing lights for a more stable life as a businessman. And here’s the twist: he’s managed to stay in the showbiz orbit, romantically speaking, by dating not one, but two of the soap’s beauties.
The Aussie stud, who later landed roles in “Young Hercules”, “Flipper”, and “Sabrina Down Under”, hung up his acting boots in the late 90s. He then put on a managerial hat, signing up emerging talents, including Neighbours sirens Kimberley Davies and Nicola Charles. Yes, you’ve got it right – both stunners went from being his clients to his love interests. Talk about mixing business with pleasure!
But his biggest triumph came when he signed Holly Valance, the pop sensation who became famous with her banger “Kiss Kiss”. Michaelson was instrumental in kickstarting Valance’s career, landing her a role in Neighbours in 1999 and guiding her to pop stardom. The partnership, however, ended in a tumultuous court battle, costing Valance a whopping $350,000 for breach of contract.
No longer in the talent management biz, Michaelson now thrives in the real estate industry. “I wanted to control my own destiny and sought a sense of security around my future,” he explained his career shift. Today, he’s the head honcho of Smile Elite, managing top-notch estate agents.
While his entrepreneurial journey has been diverse – from co-owning a pub in St Kilda, launching Melbourne’s first solarium tanning salon, to developing a skincare range crowned Skincare Brand of the Year in 2009 – his passion for the outdoors has remained strong. Like his on-screen character, Brad Willis, Michaelson still catches a wave or two when time permits.
Meanwhile, after nearly four decades of glorious drama, Neighbours fanatics mourned the end of the iconic series last year. However, fans can mark their calendars as the beloved series makes a comeback on Amazon Freevee this September with fresh faces and surprising plot twists.
But not all are thrilled with the show’s revival. Kylie Minogue, who famously played Charlene Mitchell, reportedly felt “duped” into returning to the set. Fellow co-star Guy Pearce also expressed scepticism over Amazon’s “expensive exercise” to save the series.
Whether it’s backstage drama or on-screen plot twists, one thing’s for sure: the world of Neighbours never lacks excitement, even with our hunky Scott Michaelson out of the picture.