Australia’s first-ever Hayu FanFest took Sydney by storm.
The event promised iconic reality stars, unforgettable moments and an immersive fan experience like no other…
and it didn’t disappoint!
In a similar style to comic conventions, the fan-focussed event featured panel discussions, teases of upcoming seasons, photo ops, meet and greets…
But in true Real Housewives fashion, the fans were also treated to DJ sets from Dorinda Medley and DJ Meredith Marks. So camp!
Meet the stars of Hayu Fan Fest Sydney:
Cynthia Bailey is an actress and entrepreneur who has starred in Cruel Instruction, Jingle Hellz, Different with Me and Bid for Love 2. Widely recognised for her run on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Cynthia has transitioned from reality to scripted television. Previous TV credits include Black Mafia Family, Who’s Cheating and The Upshaws. Beyond her on-screen success, Cynthia founded the Bailey Agency School of Fashion, which empowers aspiring models, and launched her own eyewear line and luxury CBVior bags. Her business acumen led her to partner with Seagram’s Escapes, where she crafted the signature drink Cynthia Bailey Peach Bellini, a reflection of her sophistication and style. Not one to shy away from competition, Cynthia’s personality captivated audiences on CBS’ Celebrity Big Brother, where she earned a third-place finish, further proving her resilience and versatility.
Meredith Marks is an award-winning jewellery designer, boutique owner and creator of her eponymous caviar line. Her jewellery has been worn by some of the biggest names in music, television and fashion. Meredith has fabulous style and frequents the Fashion Week and Couture Fashion Week circuit. Beyond her business endeavours, Meredith also lends her support to countless causes, including the fight against Alzheimer’s with the Cleveland Clinic and the LGBTQIA+ community with GLAAD.
Australian native and former Miss Galaxy Universe, Juliet Mayhew moved to the UK at the age of 12. An actress with a passion for the stage, Juliet is married to ‘Tiggy’, with whom she has two teenage children. Now living in one of Chelsea’s most desirable neighbourhoods, she is known for her love of fine jewellery, showstopping fashion and all things Chanel, and runs a successful event planning company – catering to some of the world’s most elite clients.
Born in the Berkshires in Massachusetts, Dorinda Medley graduated from college and arrived in New York City, working in the showrooms of Liz Claiborne. She met her first husband and followed him to London to start a family and eventually her own cashmere company, DCL Cashmere. Many high-profile London clients like Princess Diana and Joan Collins became acquaintances, and soon, Dorinda left her mark on London society. Ten years in London also brought her a daughter, Hannah, a divorce, and a wish to return to New York to figure out life in the city as a single mum. In 2005, Dorinda met and married financier Dr. Richard Medley, a former Washington power broker and respected speechwriter to congresswoman and vice-presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro, and together they worked on fund-raising for charitable causes with the likes of Bishop Desmond Tutu, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Secretary Madeline Albright, and President Bill and Secretary Hillary Clinton.
After the tragic loss of their beloved Richard in 2011, Dorinda and Hannah found strength in each other and in their loved ones to overcome the radical changes of losing a husband, friend, companion, and father figure. Through perseverance and support from her close friends, Dorinda climbed right back to the top of New York society, eventually meeting boyfriend John Mahdessian, owner of New York’s legendary couture restoration house Madame Paulette. Dorinda is always directing her energy and focus into her home, family and friends, church, social engagements, and love for pop culture. In 2019, Dorinda reignited her passion for teaching aerobics, creating and touring with her interactive workout class Dorobics to great success. She continuously gives back to her favourite charitable organisations like Ali Forney Centre, Born This Way Foundation, Prevention, Joy.J Initiative, Ronald McDonald House, NYLovesKids.org and Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation. Dorinda’s passion for entertaining was deeply enhanced with the purchase of Blue Stone Manor, a nine-bedroom Stanford White estate in her native Great Barrington. With a recent flood at the estate, Dorinda was forced to renovate and restore the historic property to get it back to its former glory. Nothing gives.
Dorinda more pleasure than a weekend or holiday spent with great company, home-cooked meals, and the festive, personal touches she is known for. She enjoys the theatre, the beach, the mountains, fabulous parties, a great dirty martini, and all types of fashion—both high-end and high-street—and considers all of her pieces collector’s items. After a trying year, Dorinda has learned to love herself and focuses on her spiritual and mental wellness daily. There’s never enough glitz, glam, and sparkle for this true New York City Housewife.
Alexia Nepola is a dynamic force as a style icon, multilingual entrepreneur, beauty expert, and proud Latina. Known as the Cuban Barbie, Alexia is a true reflection of Miami – bold, glamorous, resilient, and full of heart. A longtime powerhouse in the city’s cultural and social scene, she led Venue Magazine — a national luxury lifestyle publication spotlighting Latin fashion, celebrity, and culture — for over a decade. Blending her editorial eye with business savvy, Alexia went on to launch Alexia + Frankie’s Beauty Bar in Surfside, Miami Beach, quickly earning a loyal following and becoming a staple in the local beauty community. Alexia’s journey also includes time spent in Madrid, Spain, where she finished high school and began college before returning to Miami to earn both her B.A. and a Master’s in exceptional student education. Her early career was dedicated to teaching children with learning and emotional differences in Miami-Dade’s public schools — a chapter that speaks to her deep compassion and commitment to making a difference.
More than just a style maven, Alexia is a passionate advocate and philanthropist. She actively supports causes close to her heart, including the de Moya Foundation, Voices for Children, March of Dimes, Jackson Memorial Foundation, Women of Tomorrow, the LGBTQ+ community, and Alfalit International. Her advocacy reflects her strong values and her belief in lifting others up. Whether she’s on camera, at a charity event, or spending time with her family, Alexia embodies authenticity and confidence. She continues to expand her presence in beauty, fashion, and entertainment while staying grounded in the vibrant Miami community that shaped her. Alexia is the proud mother of two sons, Peter and Frankie Rosello. In her downtime, she loves travelling the world, discovering new cultures, and enjoying quality time with her loved ones.
Captain Jason Chambers is a seasoned yacht captain with over 25 years of experience in the industry and has sailed all over the world, including destinations such as the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Asia Pacific. Born and raised in Australia on the coast just north of Sydney, Captain Chambers has been fortunate to complete two trades in his lifetime: playing top-level sports professionally and venturing around the world to find his true calling. However, his most important role to date is that of ‘father’, and his love for his daughter is evident in everything he does. Captain Chambers is also a passionate advocate for ocean conservation, as he believes that it is important to protect the world’s oceans for future generations.
Craig Conover is a fan favourite on Bravo’s hit series, Southern Charm. Mocked during filming for his enthusiasm for sewing, Craig has turned his previous pastime into a full-time career with his co-founding of Sewing Down South: a growing and thriving southern based Sewing Lifestyle Brand. He most recently expanded his business ventures in Charleston and now is a partner of local restaurant By the Way and wedding/event venue The Waverly. A board-certified attorney, Craig is a graduate of College of Charleston and Charleston Law School. He also serves on the board for Hope For The Warriors, and is the author of a top-rated memoir Pillow Talk: What’s Wrong with My Sewing?. His debut children’s book Patch Work: Bee Brave. Bee Kind. Bee You releases on October 13, 2026.
“I’m Shep Rose. I consider myself a southerner, but I do not fit into any stereotype easily. In fact, it bothers me when people think that everything and everyone fits into a nice, neat box with a bow on it. I’d say I’m simple and complex at the same time. I have opinions and stances that would no doubt surprise people. Having my life chronicled for the last 12 years is kind of amazing when you think about it. Maybe one day I’ll have the strength to go back and watch it from the beginning. I have always loved literature due to my mom’s incessant fervour for books. So I developed a love for writing and expressing myself with the written word. Although I am certainly no introvert, writing allows for a more concise and thoughtful point of view rather than the blabbering I typically do with my pontifications. My new book, Nothing in Moderation, is out now. If you want more insight into my misadventures, grab a copy!”
