Jessica Rowe

Jessica Rowe
Born	Jessica June Rowe (1970-06-22) 22 June 1970 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Residence	Sydney
Education	Charles Sturt University University of Sydney
Occupation	Journalist, author and television presenter
Years active	1993–present
Known for	Ten Eyewitness News, Today, Weekend Sunrise and Studio 10
Spouse(s)	Peter Overton
Children	2
Awards	Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
Website	jessicarowe.com.au

Jessica June Rowe AM^[1] (born 22 June 1970) is an Australian journalist, author and television presenter. She is the co-host of Studio 10 on Network Ten and is Member of the Order of Australia for her mental health advocacy after suffering serious mental illness herself.

Early life

Rowe attended Sydney Girls High School^[2] and Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, completing a Bachelor of Arts in 1993. During her studies she was a broadcaster with on-campus community radio station 2MCE-FM. Rowe later graduated from the University of Sydney with a Master of International Studies degree in 2003.

Career

1996–2005: Ten News at Five and The Best of Times, The Worst of Times

Rowe started work at Channel Nine as a receptionist and later as a weather presenter. In 1996 Rowe began working as a news presenter for Channel Ten. She presented Ten Sydney's Ten News at Five bulletin alongside Ron Wilson. Rowe finished her hosting duties at Network Ten in 2005.

In October 2005, Rowe published her first book; The Best of Times, The Worst of Times (Allen & Unwin), a recollection of Rowe's experiences of her mother's battle with bipolar disorder. The book was co-written by Rowe's mother, Penelope Rowe.

2006–2008: Rowe joins Today and moves to the Seven Network

In 2004, Rowe joined the Nine Network to host the Today breakfast show, alongside Karl Stefanovic, replacing Tracy Grimshaw. Network Ten pursued legal action over Rowe's defection to the Nine Network, citing a clause within Network Ten's contract that prevented Rowe from working with a competing broadcaster until June 2006. The case was dismissed by the Supreme Court on 30 December 2005, allowing Rowe to debut on Today on 30 January 2006.^[3]

Rowe's arrival at Today was met with initial criticism including "on-air giggling, absence of serious journalistic credentials and lack of chemistry with co-host Karl Stefanovic". ^[4] Rowe was also criticised over an on-air gaffe involving Australian Brigadier Michael Slater, which revealed during a live cross that the interview from Dili, East Timor was being stage managed when Rowe tried to use old looting and violence footage, even though Brigadier Slater told her it was a "couple of days old".^[5][6]

During this time Nine Network CEO Eddie McGuire made a public statement in June 2006 stating the claims Rowe was to be "sacked" were part of "a malicious and unprecedented vilification campaign"^[7] This followed the sworn evidence in an affidavit from Nine Network's former Head of News Mark Llewellyn that McGuire had threatened to "bone" Jessica Rowe during a meeting with executives.^[8]

On 6 May 2007, Rowe left the Nine Network due to "payment disputes" after her return from maternity leave.^[9]

In 2007, Rowe returned to TV and joined the Seven Network as a news presenter for Seven News in Sydney. She was also announced as a cast member on the seventh series of Dancing with the Stars^[10] alongside Patti Newton and Mark Beretta. Rowe finished seventh place on the show.

2009–2012: Rowe joins Weekend Sunrise

In December 2010, Rowe was appointed news presenter on Weekend Sunrise replacing Sarah Cumming and Sharyn Ghidella. She also held other presenting roles on the Seven Network until her departure from the network in 2013.

In 2011, Rowe published Love, Wisdom, Motherhood (Allen & Unwin),^[11] a collection of interviews by Rowe with other Australian mothers on their experiences with motherhood.^[12] The book included interviews with the likes of Quentin Bryce, Lisa McCune, Wendy Harmer and Tina Arena.

In April 2012, Rowe appeared as the narrator in the stage production of Side By Side By Sondheim at the Theatre Royal in Sydney as part of a Gala Concert featuring Ruthie Henshall.^[13] The gala was held to support White Ribbon Australia, a charity which seeks to raise awareness of violence against women. ^[14] The gala was part of an ongoing tour, which had started in April 2011 at Sydney's Seymour Centre.^[15]

Since 2013: Studio 10, Order of Australia

Jessica Rowe (8738343130)

In September 2013, Rowe returned to Network Ten to co-host their new morning TV show Studio 10.^[16] The show premiered on 4 November 2013 and alongside Rowe was fellow co-hosts Ita Buttrose, Sarah Harris and Joe Hildebrand. In 2015 the show welcomed Denise Drysdale as its fifth co-host and on 12 October 2016 it came in second on the OzTAM TV ratings.^[17] Studio 10 is on air 8.30am – 12.00pm Monday – Friday on Network Ten.

In January 2015, Rowe was announced as a Member of the Order of Australia at 2015 Australia Day honours for her mental health advocacy.^[18] Rowe said she was "incredibly humbled and just blessed" to receive the honour and joked, "I was hoping I might get a tiara. It's the little girl in me!" ^[19]

In July 2015, Rowe played The Empress in Bonnie Lythgoe's stage production of Aladdin and his Wondrous Lamp at the State Theatre in Sydney, Australia. Ian Dickson and Beau Ryan also appeared in the production.^[20]

In August 2015, Rowe published her memoir Is This My Beautiful Life? (Allen & Unwin), where she shared insights into her professional career as well as her battles with postnatal depression.^[21]The Sydney Morning Herald said "The impact of her revealing memoir should not be underestimated."^[22]

In September 2015, Rowe fronted a television and print campaign for Woolworths supermarkets. Rowe had worked as a checkout assistant at her local Woolworths supermarket during her schooling years in 1987.^[23]

Personal life

Rowe is married to Australian television journalist and Nine News and 60 Minutes presenter Peter Overton. She has two children.^[24]

After the birth of her first daughter, Rowe suffered from severe post-natal depression.^[25] " I had everything in life I could possibly wish for and finally I had this beautiful baby girl but I never felt more desperate and sad... (I felt) like there was a panel of glass between me and the outside world," said Rowe.^[26] Rowe has been very vocal about her experience with the illness and her use of anti-depressants and counselling, saying, "To me, asking for help is one of the bravest and best things you can ever do. It saved me."^[24] Rowe has been a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and initiatives. Rowe is a an ambassador and spokesperson for Beyondblue.

References

External links

• Official website
• Jessica Rowe on IMDb
• "Jessica Rowe – My Best Times" in Good Medicine magazine, October 2004
• "Out of the darkness" Sixty Minutes, 29 February 2004