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Laura Csortan
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Laura Csortan (born 9 November 1976[citation needed]) is an Australian model, television presenter and beauty pageant titleholder. She is known for winning the title of Miss Australia in the year 1997 and represented Australia at Miss Universe 1997 where she was unplaced and at Miss World 1997 pageant where she made it in top 10 semi finalists.
Key Information
Career
[edit]Modelling
[edit]Csortan was crowned Miss Australia 1997 and represented her country in Miss Universe 1997, where she won Miss Congeniality and finished in 13th place. Csortan competed in Miss World 1997, where she was a top 10 semi-finalist.[1]
Television
[edit]From October 2000 until November 2008, she was a host of The Great Outdoors on the Seven Network.[1][2] She formerly co-hosted the Australian version of Wheel of Fortune, with Larry Emdur.
She hosted Channel 7's broadcast of the BBC's Massive Nature, Racing Today, blooper show Good As Gold and was a panellist on Grand Prix TV. In 2009 Laura was a newsreader for Fox Sports News. Csortan hosted a behind the scenes show for Australia's Got Talent in 2012.[3]
Since 2012, Csortan has been a regular on Channel 7's The Morning Show where she hosts travel segments. Csortan has regularly appeared on Sunrise as a panellist.
Other
[edit]Csortan has appeared in advertising for Qantas.[4] She lent her support for Ralph Lauren's Pink Pony campaign,[5] the RSPCA's Set a Sister Free campaign,[6] SunSCHine (Sydney Children's Hospital) Variety Club, and the Pink Hope Bright Pink Lipstick Day charity campaigns.[7]
Csortan has performed internationally as a master of ceremonies for a number of events including Gday USA for Qantas,[8] Fashions on the Field events for Myer and Emirates, Schwarzkopf Face of the Year, and the Good Food Expo, as well as for brands such as Toyota, Subaru, Mercedes-Benz and Ducati.[9]
Personal life
[edit]Csortan grew up riding dirt bikes on her family's farm and has been described as a "petrolhead with a penchant for motorbikes".[10][11]
Csortan gave birth to a daughter, Layla Rose, in 2016.[12]
Filmography
[edit]| Television | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2000–2006 | The Great Outdoors | Herself | Co-host |
| 2005–2006 | Wheel of Fortune | Herself | Hostess |
| 2007 | Good As Gold | Herself | Host |
| 2009 | Fox Sports News | Herself | |
| 2010 | 20 to 1 | Herself | Episode "Sporty, Rich & Sexy" (#9.4)[13] |
| 2012 | Australia's Got Talent | Herself | Behind the scenes host[3] |
| 2013 | Celebrity Splash | Herself | Contestant[14] |
| 2010– | Sunrise | Herself | Panellist |
| 2012– | The Morning Show | Herself | |
| 2016 | Riding Morocco: Chasing the Dakar | Herself | Documentary[11] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Field, Melissa. "The Good Life", The Daily Telegraph, 17 September 2006, URL last accessed 26 November 2006.
- ^ Jeffrey, James, "Postcards From the Cutting Edge", The Australian, 18 February 2006.
- ^ a b "Laura's got talent". 20 October 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
- ^ "Laura Csortan". Retrieved 14 January 2020.
- ^ "Sydney get ready for Wednesday's Ralph Lauren Pink Pony Walk! | TLL". Archived from the original on 27 April 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
- ^ "RSPCA Australia". Archived from the original on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
- ^ "Laura Csortan Puckers Up for Bright Pink Lipstick Day". 10 September 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
- ^ "Stars turn up for G'Day USA". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
- ^ "Speakers Profile - Laura Csortan". Retrieved 14 January 2020.
- ^ "Top Gear gals keen to host". 11 February 2008. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
- ^ a b "Aussie model and Dakar rider in TV special". 26 September 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
- ^ "Baby joy for Laura Csortan who welcomes her daughter into the world". Retrieved 28 August 2022.
- ^ Sporty, Rich & Sexy, retrieved 14 January 2020
- ^ "Yahoo Australia | News, email and search". Yahoo Australia | News, email and search. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
External links
[edit]Laura Csortan
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Upbringing in Adelaide
Laura Csortan was born on 9 November 1976 and raised in Adelaide, South Australia, where she developed a strong affinity for outdoor activities from a young age.[7][2] Growing up on her family's farm, she frequently rode dirt bikes, cultivating a passion for motorbikes that has persisted throughout her life and earned her the description of a "petrolhead."[2] Her childhood was marked by an active lifestyle, including pursuits such as sky-diving, rock climbing, cross-country snow-skiing, scuba diving, competitive swimming, white-water kayaking, horse-riding, and water-skiing, which reflected her energetic and adventurous nature.[7][8] During her formative years in Adelaide, Csortan also spent holidays with cousins on a rural farm, where she participated in sports like tournament water-skiing, though she later recalled feeling self-conscious about her muscular build from these endeavors.[8] This environment shaped her resilience and interest in fitness, leading her to earn certificates in Outdoor Leadership and Fitness Leadership early in her education.[2] She subsequently enrolled at the University of South Australia to study for a Bachelor of Applied Science in Sport and Recreation Management, majoring in journalism and psychology, balancing her academic pursuits with the beginnings of her modeling career.[4][9]Early interests and influences
Csortan developed a passion for adventure and outdoor activities from a young age, shaped by her rural upbringing on her family's farm near Adelaide. She frequently visited the property during holidays, where she spent time riding dirt bikes alongside her cousins, fostering a lifelong enthusiasm for motorcycling and speed. This early exposure to the thrill of off-road riding on the farm terrain instilled in her a sense of freedom and adrenaline-seeking that would influence her later pursuits, including obtaining her road motorcycle license in 2005.[10] Described as a "petrolhead" since childhood, Csortan learned to drive a utility vehicle at the age of 10, reflecting her early affinity for vehicles and mechanical pursuits in a country setting. Her interests extended beyond motorbikes to a broad range of physical and exploratory sports, including competitive swimming, horse-riding, water-skiing, and white-water kayaking, which she credits with building her resilient and active lifestyle. These formative experiences on the farm and in Adelaide's outdoors emphasized self-reliance and exploration, key influences that carried into her university studies in applied science focused on Sport and Recreation Management.[11][7] During her time at the University of South Australia, where she pursued a Bachelor of Applied Science in Sport and Recreation Management, Csortan began exploring modeling as a side interest, marking a transition from her rural roots to urban professional opportunities. This period reinforced her "break the rules" attitude, blending her adventurous background with emerging creative ambitions, though her core influences remained rooted in the physical challenges and independence gained from early outdoor endeavors.[8][12][4]Career
Beauty pageants
Csortan entered the world of beauty pageants in 1997 as a 20-year-old university student from Brisbane.[13] That year, she became the first and only Australian woman to win both the Miss Universe Australia and Miss World Australia titles simultaneously, marking a historic achievement in the country's pageant history.[13] Her victories propelled her to represent Australia on the international stage in both competitions. At the Miss Universe 1997 pageant held in Miami Beach, Florida, Csortan competed among 74 delegates and was awarded the Miss Congeniality title, recognizing her as the contestant who fostered the best camaraderie among participants.[14] Although she did not advance to the top 10 semifinalists, the honor highlighted her approachable personality and sportsmanship.[3] Later that year, Csortan represented Australia at the Miss World 1997 pageant in London, England, where she advanced to the top 10 semifinalists.[15] This placement underscored her strong performance in the swimsuit, evening gown, and interview segments, contributing to Australia's competitive showing.[2] Her pageant successes provided a launchpad for her subsequent career in modeling and television.Modelling and endorsements
Csortan entered the modeling industry during her university studies in Brisbane, where she was scouted by a modeling agency representative while at the beach.[8] Her career gained significant momentum after winning the Miss Australia title in 1997 at age 20, making her the first Australian to represent the country in both the Miss Universe and Miss World pageants that year.[3] At Miss Universe, she received the Miss Congeniality award, while at Miss World, she finished in the top 10 semifinalists.[3][15] These pageant achievements opened doors to commercial opportunities, including her appearance in Qantas' 2013 Frequent Flyer "Curiosity" advertising campaign. In 2014, Csortan was named brand ambassador for a portfolio of luxury resorts in Bali, promoting high-end travel experiences.[16] She continued her endorsement work in 2019 by partnering with Young Living Essential Oils as a brand ambassador for Australia and New Zealand, focusing on the Seedlings baby product range and the Savvy Minerals mineral makeup line.[17]Television presenting
Csortan began her television presenting career in the late 1990s on Channel 7 in Australia, starting with niche programs such as Drag Racing Today, where she served as host, producer, and writer, and Fishing and Boating SA.[8] She also hosted BBC Massive Nature, Racing Today, and the blooper show Good As Gold, while reading news from the national desk for Fox Sports News and appearing as a panellist on Grand Prix TV.[2] In 2000, Csortan joined The Great Outdoors on Channel 7 after auditioning against 800 candidates, presenting travel segments for seven years and visiting nearly 50 countries, including experiences like swimming with whales in Tonga and trekking jungles in Borneo.[8][18] Concurrently, she co-hosted the game show Wheel of Fortune with Larry Emdur for one year, which aired five days a week and elevated her profile as a household name in Australian television.[2][19] Transitioning to Channel 9, Csortan hosted travel-focused programs including Holidays for Sale and the Qantas Destination Guides series, emphasizing global destinations and lifestyle content.[18] In 2008, she relocated to the United States for a year to host World's Best Beaches on the Discovery Channel, portraying an "action girl" role involving ocean adventures and outdoor activities across various locations.[12][2] Csortan also presented behind-the-scenes content for Australia's Got Talent and starred in a National Geographic film riding a motorbike across Morocco, which aired in over 200 countries.[2] Since 2012, she has been a regular contributor on Channel 7's The Morning Show, featuring in segments like The Style Squad for fashion discussions, The Dilemma and The Jury for panel debates on topics from politics to pop culture, and delivering weekly travel tips and segments.[18]Other ventures
In addition to her primary career in media and modeling, Csortan has pursued entrepreneurial endeavors in travel and lifestyle content creation. In 2013, she founded and operates Gypset Travel, a personal travel platform where she shares insights from her global experiences, offers practical tips for women travelers, and curates bespoke tours emphasizing adventure and wellness.[9][4] Csortan also contributes as a freelance writer for Women's Fitness magazine, focusing on topics such as holistic beauty, fitness routines, and self-care. Her articles, including pieces on ageless beauty through natural approaches and quick beauty fixes, draw from her background in health and outdoor activities, providing readers with actionable advice on maintaining well-being amid busy lifestyles.[20][21][22] As of 2025, Csortan continues to operate Gypset Travel and works as a master of ceremonies for high-profile events, including emceeing NEXUS 2025.[23] These ventures reflect her certifications in fitness and outdoor leadership, allowing her to extend her expertise beyond television into independent content and business ownership.[18]Personal life
Family and relationships
Csortan was born in Adelaide, South Australia, to a Hungarian father whose family immigrated to Australia and an Australian mother.[24] She has one sister. Csortan has maintained a close relationship with her mother, who resides in Adelaide, and her sister; in 2019, she temporarily moved to Queensland with her daughter to be nearer to them during a personal transition.[25][26] Csortan has never married. Her notable relationships include a high-profile romance with musician Chris Joannou, the bassist for the rock band Silverchair, which began around 2010 and ended in 2012.[27] In 2014, she dated American model Joshua Slack, who was 11 years her junior; the couple traveled together to Los Angeles and Sydney before parting ways later that year.[28] Speculation arose in 2016 about a possible connection to businessman Stuart Laundy, but Csortan did not confirm or deny it publicly.[29] In 2015, Csortan began a relationship with an unnamed partner who became the father of her child; the couple separated before her pregnancy was publicly announced in June 2016, with the father choosing not to be involved.[30] She has consistently protected his identity and stated in 2024 that she would not disclose it to respect her daughter's privacy.[26] Rumors in 2017 linked her to businessman Anthony Bell, a longtime family friend, but Csortan denied any romantic involvement or that he was the father.[31] Csortan gave birth to her only child, daughter Layla Rose, on November 17, 2016, in Sydney.[32] She has raised Layla as a single mother, emphasizing the joys of parenthood despite the challenges, and relocated multiple times—including to Queensland in 2019—to provide stability.[25] By 2021, as a single parent in Sydney's eastern suburbs, Csortan described dating as "brutal," particularly with younger men, due to the demands of motherhood and her career.[33] In July 2024, she was photographed socializing with reality TV star Jason Chambers in Bali, though it was described as a platonic outing.[34] As of 2024, Csortan divides her time between Sydney and West Hollywood.[2]Philanthropic work
Csortan has been actively involved in various charitable causes, particularly those focused on health awareness, animal welfare, and support for children. As an ambassador for Red Nose Day, organized by Red Nose (formerly SIDS and Kids), she has promoted efforts to reduce sudden unexpected deaths in infancy through public awareness campaigns and fundraising, emphasizing the importance of safe sleeping practices for babies.[35][36] In the realm of cancer prevention and support, Csortan served as an ambassador for the Cancer Council's Girls Night In initiative, which encourages women to host events to raise funds for breast cancer research and services. She participated in promotional activities, including media launches and personal endorsements, to highlight early detection and community involvement in the fight against breast cancer. Additionally, she supported Pink Hope's Pinky Promise Gala in 2016, an event aimed at raising awareness and funds for preventative breast and ovarian cancer programs.[37][38][39][40] Csortan's commitment to animal welfare is evident in her collaborations with the RSPCA, where she joined the Million Paws Walk in 2007 to advocate for animal rights and adoption. She also backed the RSPCA's Set a Sister Free campaign in 2014, which sought to end battery cage farming for hens by promoting cage-free egg production. Furthermore, she has contributed to the World Society for the Protection of Animals (now World Animal Protection) through various awareness efforts.[41][8][42][43] For children's charities, Csortan has emceed events for Variety Australia, including a 2009 gala that supported programs for children with disabilities, and attended the Variety Wharfies Lunch in 2007 to aid fundraising for youth initiatives. She has also taken part in broader awareness drives, such as the 2013 Priceline Go Naked Day, where celebrities forwent makeup to support breast cancer research.[44][45][46]Filmography
| Year(s) | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–2008 | The Great Outdoors | Presenter | Seven Network[3] |
| 2005 | 20 to 1 | Self – Model & TV presenter | Seven Network |
| 2006 | Wheel of Fortune | Co-host | Seven Network[3] |
| 2007 | World's Best Beaches | Host | Discovery Channel[2] |
| 2008–2009 | Holidays for Sale | Presenter | Nine Network[3] |
| c. 2008–2010 | Qantas Destination Guides | Host | Nine Network[2] |
| c. 2008 | BBC Massive Nature | Host | Seven Network[3] |
| c. 2008 | Racing Today | Host | Seven Network[2] |
| c. 2008 | Good As Gold | Host | Seven Network[3] |
| c. 2009 | Grand Prix TV | Panellist | Seven Network |
| c. 2010 | Australia's Got Talent | Host – Behind-the-scenes | Seven Network[2] |
| 2010–present | The Morning Show | Regular panellist (travel segments, Style Squad) | Seven Network[3] |
| 2011 | Fox Sports News | Newsreader | Fox Sports |
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