Model and swimwear entrepreneur Johdi Meares has dumped her hosting role on Australia’s Next Top Model after a number of dismal performances in front of live audiences.
James Packer's former wife not only refused to host this year’s July finale of the fourth series of the reality TV show, she didn’t even attend the event.
It is rumoured Charlotte Dawson, who already had a role on the show, will take over Meares’s role.
Meares’s hosting of the 2006 finale was also widely panned after she appeared terrified in front of the live studio audience. She later admitted to vomiting with fear before fronting the camera.
Foxtel boss Brian Walsh was effusive however on the former swimsuit model’s contribution to the show.
“Jodhi brought an earthiness and honesty to the role of host, which endeared her to contestants and viewers alike… her down-to-earth demeanour was an asset which helped take the show to great success and I would like to publicly express our gratitude,” he told a Sydney newspaper.
Meares was said to be devastated by her recent involvement with the show which has coincided with other trials in her private life.
A falling out with her long-time manager Priscilla Leighton-Clarke who acts as a judge on the show, and the birth of her former husband’s child to one of her former best friends have all hit the high profile coat-hanger hard.
Only months ago it was widely reported Meares had taken solace in The Church of Scientology. Her former husband James Packer had once been a devotee of the quasi-religion with it’s range of controversial pay-per-view self-improvement beliefs.
At the time friends said far from helping the former Tigerlily owner, the group’s beliefs have simply fuelled the 36-year-old's insecurities and her failure to accept her break-up with Packer.