Hi-5's Christmas message to the children of Hobart0:16
Hi-5 will perform after the Myer Hobart Christmas pageant tomorrow and have sent a special message to the children of Hobart.
Introducing the new kids on the block! Meet the 2017 cast for iconic children’s group Hi-5
EIGHTEEN years after launching the original troupe of kids performers, Hi-5 has unveiled a new line-up.
Bailey, Courtney, Joe, Shay and Lachie will front the popular children’s show in 2017 with the new cast of five chosen from nearly 500 hopefuls auditions.
“We were blown away with the enormous interest from performers across Australia wanting to be part of Hi-5,” Hi-5 executive producer and creative director Julie Greene said.
“The judging process was extremely tough with so much talent on show, but we know our audiences will fall in love with the new members, just like we have.”
The new five-some will make their first public appearance together when they perform at the Vision Australia Carols by Candlelight on Christmas Eve at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl, as well as various shows around the country in January. The next season will air on Nine’s Go! Kids in 2017.
The original cast of Hi-5 — Kellie Crawford, Kathleen de Leon Jones, Nathan Foley, Tim Harding and Charli Robinson — launched in 1998 and quickly went on to win numerous awards, including ARIA and Logie nods.
Here, we look at who is in the new group:
Lachie, 19, a sports fanatic, who thrilled Hi-5 live audiences when he began touring earlier this year, elected to re-audition for the role. He said: “I’m relieved and excited to be starting with a cast that are all new, similar ages and excited by the opportunity. Being in Hi-5 is such a humbling and rewarding experience.”
Bailey, 19, former WAAPA graduate and X Factor contestant Bailey, from Perth, says making the cast was a lifelong ambition. “Wow. I cried with I found out. I’ve been so emotionally invested in Hi-5 and have dreamt of being in the show since I was a little girl.”
Joe, 24, based in the NSW Central Coast, is a regular performer, doing live gigs and touring, including the late Jon English in The Rock Show, nationally and in Sweden. “I was on my way to a gig when my agent gave me the good news and decided to drive home and tell my parents face-to-face. There were tears all round.”
Courtney, 18, from the Blue Mountains, has just undertaken a gap year volunteering in Cambodia where she worked on community projects including building a primary school.
Shay, 18, also from the Blue Mountains, has just completed her HSC. She discovered her love of musical theatre at 13 and has been performing ever since. “When I received the call that I had made the cast I cried and mum and I headed out to celebrate.”
