Viewers slam Channel Seven for making Schapelle Corby a star – after the convicted drug dealer hinted at plans to join Home and Away
Channel Seven has been slammed by viewers for turning Schapelle Corby into a reality star.
Schapelle, who spent nine years in Bali’s Kerobokan Prison for smuggling marijuana, announced in March that she was joining the cast of Seven’s Dancing with the Stars reboot, alongside genuine celebrities such as Ada Nicodemou and Tom Williams.
The announcement sparked online criticism at the time, with many outraged viewers claiming it was unethical to glamorise a convicted drug trafficker.
Backlash: Channel Seven has been slammed by viewers for turning Schapelle Corby into a star by casting her on the upcoming reboot of Dancing With The Stars – after the convicted drug dealer hinted at plans to join Home and Away
However, the backlash became even more heated this week after Schapelle, 43, told Tuesday’s New Idea magazine she was open to taking on more gigs at Seven – including a guest-starring role on Home and Away.
‘I will never watch Home and Away ever again if Schapelle joins the cast. The same also applies to Dancing With The Stars…. Why does Australia promote criminals and place them on a pedestal???’ one Facebook user wrote on Tuesday.
‘What will the series be, a reenactment of the past? Just so wrong… glorifying crime,’ another raged.
From Hotel K to the Bay? The backlash became even more heated this week after Schapelle told Tuesday’s New Idea magazine she was open to taking on more gigs at Seven – including a guest-starring role on Home and Away
‘Why does Australia promote criminals and place them on a pedestal?’ Schapelle’s interview on Tuesday sparked a wave of outrage from viewers who believed it is unethical to glamorise a convicted drug trafficker by turning them into a celebrity
Elsewhere another user wrote: ‘Oh please, one more reason not to watch. What is Channel 7 thinking?’
Schapelle appeared to respond to the backlash on Tuesday night by uploading a cryptic post to Instagram Stories about ignoring her critics.
The post read: ‘Observe and learn instead of react and respond. Everything doesn’t need your reaction. Conserve your energy for what matters.’
‘Conserve your energy for what matters’: Schapelle appeared to respond to the backlash on Tuesday night by uploading a cryptic post to Instagram Stories about ignoring her critics
In her controversial interview with New Idea, Schapelle revealed she was ‘keeping her options open’ regarding other TV roles following her appearance on Dancing With The Stars this year.
‘You never really know what the future holds… I try to focus on the present, but you never really know what the future holds,’ she said.
‘I’m definitely keeping my options open,’ she said, before adding that she wouldn’t say no to Home and Away if an offer was made.
Bright future? In her controversial interview with New Idea, Schapelle revealed she was ‘keeping her options open’ regarding other TV roles following her appearance on Dancing With The Stars this year
Dancing with the Stars will be Schapelle’s second reality TV show with Seven, after taking part in SAS: Australia last year.
She voluntarily withdrew from the military-style show in episode two when the selection course proved too demanding for her.
In October 2004, Schapelle became a household name when she was arrested at Bali airport with 4.2kg of cannabis wrapped in plastic inside her boogie board bag.
TV debut: Schapelle made a brief appearance on the first season of SAS Australia last year
The world watched in May 2005 as she broke down in the Denpasar courtroom after being sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment in Kerobokan Prison.
Following to a series of sentence reductions, Schapelle was released on parole in February 2014, having served nine years behind bars.
She lived in Bali with family until she was deported back to Australia in May 2017.
The former beautician has always denied knowingly importing drugs and maintains the marijuana was planted in her luggage by corrupt baggage handlers.
Dancing with the Stars will premiere on Seven at 7pm on Sunday, April 11
Conviction: In October 2004, Schapelle became a household name when she was arrested at Bali airport with 4.2kg of cannabis wrapped in plastic inside her boogie board bag. She was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment In May 2005, but only served nine years behind bars