Pia Whitesell (née Miller) has blasted reports about her recent trip to Australia, saying claims she returned Down Under purely for publicity are ‘cruel’ and untrue.
The former Home and Away star, 38, and her Hollywood agent husband Patrick Whitesell, 57, flew in all the way from America only to spend two days watching the Australian Open men’s and women’s final at Melbourne Park before jetting home.
The Herald Sun later published quotes from a supposed ‘insider’ alleging the LA-based actress’ main reason for travelling was to be ‘photographed at the Australian Open’, rather than catching up with friends and family.
Hitting back: Pia Whitesell (née Miller) has blasted reports about her recent trip to Australia, saying claims she returned Down Under purely for publicity are ‘cruel’ and untrue
Pia rubbished these claims on Monday, telling Daily Mail Australia: ‘I actually took the opportunity to join Patrick on his business trip to Melbourne because, well, it’s home.’
‘It was a short but very sweet trip and yes, I was there with Patrick while he supported his clients,’ she added.
Pia, who is now holidaying on the Caribbean island of Barbuda, added: ‘It was, for me, a real joy to be able to spend time at home with my family and friends and have the opportunity to take [my son] Isaiah and his buddies to the Australian Open to experience some awesome tennis.’
Here to be seen? The former Home and Away star, 38, and her Hollywood agent husband Patrick Whitesell, 57, (left) flew in all the way from America only to spend two days watching the Australian Open men’s and women’s final at Melbourne Park before jetting home
Claims: The Herald Sun later published quotes from a supposed ‘insider’ alleging the LA-based actress’ main reason for travelling was to be ‘photographed at the Australian Open’, rather than catching up with friends and family. Pia clarified to Daily Mail Australia this was not true
Pia’s rebuttal comes a day after The Herald Sun published claims from so-called ‘friends’ of the ex-soap star about her return to Australia.
‘When her friends questioned her motives for the quick trip, the overwhelming response was wanting to be seen and snapped at the tennis,’ the paper alleged.
The article also claimed maintaining a public image was extremely important to Pia, and that travelling for 15 hours just to watch two games of tennis wasn’t a big deal.
Snapped in action: ‘I actually took the opportunity to join Patrick on his business trip to Melbourne because, well, it’s home,’ said Pia (pictured with Patrick at the men’s singles final)
Report: ‘When her friends questioned her motives for the quick trip, the overwhelming response was wanting to be seen and snapped at the tennis,’ the Herald Sun alleged
‘Friends of the former AFL WAG say she thrives on publicity and will go to great lengths to achieve this,’ the report alleged.
Pia and her mega-rich husband were certainly hard to miss in the crowd at Melbourne Park last weekend.
The couple were photographed on the Saturday watching the women’s final between Ash Barty and American Danielle Collins, and then on Sunday were seen watching Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev compete in the men’s grand slam.
Whirlwind trip: According to the Herald Sun, Pia and Patrick spent just 57 hours on Australian soil before departing on a private jet bound for America
Sparing no expense: On their last night in Australia last month, Pia and Patrick dined at high-end Melbourne restaurant Entrecôte (pictured)
Newlyweds: Pia, who played police officer Kat Chapman on Aussie soap opera Home and Away from 2015 and 2018, relocated to the U.S. after marrying Patrick last May
According to the Herald Sun, Pia and Patrick spent just 57 hours on Australian soil before departing on a private jet bound for America.
Pia, who is mother to sons Isaiah and Lennox from from previous relationships, married Patrick last May.
She permanently relocated from Sydney to the U.S. in September last year.
Patrick, the CEO of Hollywood talent agency WME, is worth an estimated US$440million (AU$630million).
Since relocating to America with her husband, Pia has been travelling the world with Patrick, staying in top-tier hotels and mansions.
Lavish: Since relocating to America with her husband, Pia has been travelling the world with Patrick, staying in top-tier hotels and mansions
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk