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Roxy Jacenko says she doesn’t care if SAS Australia viewers like her

Pierra WillixThe West Australian
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Roxy Jacenko
Camera IconRoxy Jacenko Credit: Seven Network/SAS Australia

Controversial businesswoman Roxy Jacenko wants to make one thing crystal clear: she doesn’t care if you like her or loathe her.

Swaying public opinion might be the motivation for the 16 other celebrities appearing on Seven’s SAS Australia, where they take on the military’s most gruelling challenges, but for PR maven Jacenko, it’s all about the business spin-offs.

And once she saw the entrepreneurial opportunity, Jacenko wasn’t going to let anything stand in her way: not the pain of fracturing her hip and pelvis in a horse-riding accident shortly before filming, not the advice of her orthopaedic surgeon, and not the protests of her children, who didn’t want her to go.

“There isn’t a ‘no’ in the Roxy rule book,” she told The West Australian. “Everyone always asks me why I do this or that but I think that if an opportunity comes your way you take it because you don’t know where it will lead,” she said.

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Roxy Jacenko on SAS Australia.
Camera IconRoxy Jacenko on SAS Australia. Credit: NIGEL WRIGHT

The 40-year-old spent months training six days a week in preparation to push her body and mind to their limits on the show, in which she and other Australian identities, including Schapelle Corby, attempt to pass the selection process for the SAS when disaster struck.

But even when Jacenko had to stop after that bone-breaking fall just six weeks out — “I was flat on my back for two weeks and had to give up training altogether” — it never occurred to her to admit defeat.

“I had committed to it and I am not one to say I am sick or have an injury,” she said.

“I had cancer and I came to work every single day bar one.”

SAS Australia puts participants through one of the toughest challenges of their lives, as they attempt to conquer a series of physical and psychological tests from the real selection process for the elite squad.

They must eat, sleep and train together in punishing conditions, while also being subjected to extreme physical endurance, sleep deprivation, interrogation and psychological testing.

It was arduous. Jacenko admitted she was expecting more smoke and mirrors and found the hands-off “observational documentary” approach confronting.

“What you see is what you get,” she said. “It is very much a take no prisoners approach…you do it or you are out.”

The contestants on SAS Australia.
Camera IconThe contestants on SAS Australia. Credit: NIGEL WRIGHT

But as a reality TV alumni, she recognised the unique opportunity an appearance would provide.

“I look back at Celebrity Apprentice and if I hadn’t of done that I would potentially not have the businesses I have today or have five books under my belt,” she said.

Over the years Jacenko has become a polarising figure for her no-nonsense approach to business.

Then, in 2016 she was slammed for apparently boasting about her wealth as her husband Oliver Curtis was on trial for insider trading.

Turning up to court in outfits worth thousands of dollars, she continued to document her luxury outfits online as usual, but was criticised for appearing tone-deaf.

Unlike other polarising figures on the show, such as Corby and Shayna Jack, who might be hoping to rehabilitate their image, Jacenko declared she couldn’t care less.

SAS Australia - Roxy Jacenko.
Camera IconSAS Australia - Roxy Jacenko. Credit: NIGEL WRIGHT

“It’s not about trying to make the public like me…I don’t actually care what everybody thinks because the people with opinions know nothing,” she said.

“I looked at it as an entrepreneur and thought it could spin into a lot of other opportunities…It was a business transaction, not about fame.

“They either like me or loathe me and if they loathe me, I don’t really care.”

The time away from her children, Pixie and Hunter, was hard on them, Jacenko said. They were “extremely upset and didn’t want me to do it” after she showed them clips of the British version of the show.

“They are very sensitive... I guess they are because of what they have experienced at such a young age when their dad was sentenced and went away for a long time,” she said.

“But my explanation to them was that I do these things so I can give them the life that I want them to have.

“Pixie loves to do French horn and being able to do these things come from me taking opportunities and risks. I do it so I can make sure I can give my family the best possible life that I can.”

The contestants on SAS Australia.
Camera IconThe contestants on SAS Australia. Credit: NIGEL WRIGHT

Swapping her extensive collection of Birkin bags for a 30kg backpack containing everything she needed to survive, Jacenko couldn’t bear the thought of going bare-faced and decided to sneak in some contraband.

“I was told I couldn’t wear any make-up so I hid my concealer…but there certainly wasn’t any chance of putting that on my face,” she said.

Whilst designed to entertain us, Jacenko said the show was an important reminder of the sacrifices made by those in our armed forces.

“I had no idea what they did in order for us to live in a safe space and I take my hat off to them… I could not do it.”

SAS Australia premieres Monday October 19 at 7.30pm on Seven/GWN7.

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