I freaking love Rebel!! I didn’t even realize how much I loved her until I read her memoir and learned more of her life experiences.
As an Australian, I love her “Aussie-battler” work ethic.
As I leftie, I was super excited to find out she’s left-handed.
As a melancholy introvert, I was surprised and encouraged to learn that Rebel didn’t find it easy to make friends or to fit in, but she was able to follow her dreams, overcome awkwardness and shyness enough to sell herself and live confidently. I am still working on my confidence (and I’m in my 40s too).
As someone who has lost 30kilos (66 pounds) myself, I could relate to Rebel’s emotional eating & struggle to run (though she has probably always been fitter than I am). And I can definitely relate to the fear that no one will love me, especially while I’m overweight. This lingered for me long after losing weight!
I found it super interesting, and again similar to me, that she didn’t have sex until age 35. I was 32 when I married and had sex. But some of our reasons and experiences were quite different, though we both went to Christian schools (in NSW a couple years apart!!) and I’m guessing she was taught premarital sex was a sin. Still, she doesn’t mention it much or seem to have the same hang-ups that I did with this religious rule.
I’m so glad she has found love with Ramona and Roycie and that she hasn’t experienced homophobic discrimination. I pray Ramona’s parents are able to adapt and become more accepting.
Rebel’s life has been an adventure, one that includes suffering and hard work—including having to have adrenaline shots to work while sick. Her stories about working with Sacha Baron Cohen are disturbing. Her father had an explosive temper and was verbally and financially abusive. His sudden death was no less devastating, and Rebel’s letter to her father was…perfect. Genuine, honest, loving; addressing and forgiving the negatives, honoring the positives in their relationship.
I absolutely hate that some Aussie news reporters have been known to slander Rebel and so glad she won a court case against Bauer media! I was especially grateful that she talked about Australian tall poppy syndrome, and I regret that it’s part of our culture. But Rebel is proof that it is possible to rise above and not only be successful, but own our stories, our heritage, our ambition, our bodies, our talent—the whole gamut. She has become my Aussie female hero!
Love your work Rebsie!!!!
