Karl Stefanovic’s wife Jasmine has become increasingly outspoken in her support of her husband as his dramatic fall from breakfast TV golden boy to one of Australia’s most controversial media figures dominates headlines.
Jasmine, his wife of seven years, has defended Stefanovic’s increasingly polarising podcast interviews, publicly cheered on his views and is also quietly enjoying the perks of his new career.
On Friday, it was announced live on air that Karl had left the Today show and Channel Nine following the fallout from his controversial interview with Tommy Robinson.
In a video posted to X, Stefanovic declared ‘I am free’ and praised his Today show audience for ‘riding the ups and downs’.
Jasmine had joined her husband on his two-week jaunt to London to interview controversial figures, including his chat with far-right British anti-Islam activist Robinson.
For Jasmine, the overseas trip included an appearance at Royal Ascot last weekend where the former shoe designer cut a glamorous figure among racing’s elite.
As Karl Stefanovic’s dramatic fall from breakfast TV golden boy to one of Australia’s most controversial media figures continues to dominate headlines, one person has remained firmly in his corner – his wife Jasmine. Pictured together
Jasmine has also quietly enjoyed the perks of his new career, including a glamorous appearance at Royal Ascot last weekend during Karl’s latest work trip to London to interview controversial figures, including Tommy Robinson and Holly Valance
The mother-of-one has regularly thrown her support behind Karl, and The Karl Stefanovic Show since its launch earlier this year, leaving enthusiastic comments beneath many of her husband’s most divisive interviews
She wore a white lace dress as she posed for photos alongside Karl and his long-time manager Sharon Finnigan, who has also joined the pair on the trip.
Jasmine has also left a series of enthusiastic comments beneath her husband’s divisive interviews.
Jasmine has repeatedly applauded Karl’s work during conversations with figures including Chris ‘Big Chocky’ Katelaris, Sam Bamford, Kyle Sandilands and Pauline Hanson.
‘Yesssss letssss goooooooo,’ she wrote beneath one episode, alongside clapping emojis in another show of support.
Earlier this year, Jasmine also appeared to support Stefanovic after he publicly declared Australia was a ‘f***ing great country’ while criticising what he described as ‘woke’ culture.
Speaking as debate around Australia Day intensified, Stefanovic said Australians should feel proud to celebrate the national holiday despite ongoing protests.
‘You’d go a long way to find a more proud Australian than me,’ he told News Corp.
‘I love this country. I love waving flags. I love going to cricket or footy all day in the sun. I love celebrating this country for what it is – and it’s a f***ing great country.’
Earlier this year, Jasmine also appeared to support Stefanovic after he publicly declared Australia was a ‘f***ing great country’ while criticising what he described as ‘woke’ culture. Following the interview, Jasmine posted a picture of her, Stefanovic and their daughter Harper celebrating Australia Day on a boat on Sydney Harbour
Stefanovic argued Australians should acknowledge the nation’s history while still embracing the day as a celebration.
He also claimed it had ‘never been more important that Australia has confidence’ and suggested ‘wokeness’ had made people feel uncomfortable celebrating their national identity.
‘The stuff that I’ve seen in the last couple of years, where that has almost attacked Australia for being Australian – give us a break,’ he said.
His comments came as thousands of protesters gathered across Australia on January 26 to mark the date as ‘Invasion Day’, recognising the dispossession of Indigenous Australians following British colonisation.
Following the interview, Jasmine posted a picture of her, Stefanovic and their daughter Harper celebrating Australia Day on a boat on Sydney Harbour.
All three were holding an Australian flag and she captioned it with red, white and blue love hearts.
Jasmine’s unwavering backing comes as Stefanovic has increasingly shifted away from the mainstream television persona that made him one of Australia’s most lovable broadcasters.
In the last few months, he has faced backlash thanks to his interviews with outspoken political and cultural figures – and his sit-down with Robinson this week appears to have cost him his job at Nine.
In the last few months, Stefanovic has faced increasing backlash thanks to his interviews with outspoken political and cultural figures – and his sit-down with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson this week has cost him his job at Nine.
The fallout has reportedly plunged the veteran presenter into crisis, with reports suggesting he is set to resign from Nine imminently.
On Wednesday evening, Nine’s own newspaper, The Sydney Morning Herald, confirmed Stefanovic’s departure from the network, indicating the decision was made in part to ‘defuse a major advertiser boycott.’
Stefanovic, who is currently on two weeks’ leave in London, was told the network ‘wanted to part ways’.
The TV star, who has been a Nine stalwart for some 25 years, has six months and over $1 million left to be paid on his 12-month contract.
According to sources via News.com.au, he is pushing for a full payout of the remainder of his contract – similar to the lucrative exits secured by former Nine radio heavyweights Alan Jones and Ray Hadley – despite their vastly different departure circumstances.
Sources also claim Stefanovic was seeking to be released from his contract as soon as possible to pursue other media opportunities.
The network was huddled in ’11th hour closed-door meetings’ in Sydney on Wednesday to determine his exit from the station.
Stefanovic – who has been branded ‘Joe Bogan’ thanks to his attempt at replicating the success of Joe Rogan’s podcast – sparked controversy when he published the interview with Robinson which discussed Islam, immigration and Australian politics.
By Wednesday morning, the interview had vanished from Spotify, Apple Podcasts and The Karl Stefanovic Show YouTube channel.
Stefanovic – who has been branded ‘Joe Bogan’ thanks to his attempt at replicating the success of Joe Rogan’s podcast – sparked controversy when he published the interview with Robinson which discussed Islam, immigration and Australian politics. Pictured: Tommy Robinson
Meanwhile, activist group Mad F**king Witches (MFW) announced that it had launched a campaign against Stefanovic over the podcast with Robinson.
The grassroots organisation is known for launching advertising boycotts against media figures, having previously targeted Kyle Sandilands.
‘Nine should be well aware: them taking Karl’s podcast down won’t stop us. In fact, it makes us even angrier they seem to think we’re so easily fooled and silenced,’ the organisation wrote on X.
In a statement to The Daily Mail on Wednesday before Stefanovic’s resignation, a Nine spokesperson said his podcast was produced independently, and while it had no affiliation with the TV network, they were treating the matter seriously.
‘The Karl Stefanovic Show is a completely independent production,’ a spokesperson told Daily Mail.
‘Nine has no involvement, including in the guest selection and other editorial processes.
‘However, Nine is taking this matter seriously.’
Pauline Hanson backed her ‘good friend’ Stefanovic before his resignation by uploading his pulled interview with Robinson to her own YouTube channel.
Sources also claim Stefanovic was seeking to be released from his contract as soon as possible to pursue other media opportunities
Hanson weighed in on the saga on X, accusing the Nine Network of trying to ‘sack’ the Today show host.
‘It looks like they’re trying to sack my good friend Karl Stefanovic for this video with Tommy Robinson!’ she wrote.
Hanson then criticised Nine’s performance and management and justified sharing Stefanovic’s interview as a warning about immigration and extremism, arguing he was raising issues Australians need to confront.
‘Deb Knight was a huge flop for Channel Nine and while she was busy grilling me over One Nation’s polling, Channel Nine’s ratings were in the toilet,’ she added.
‘In 2019 on live TV with her, I called on Channel Nine to bring back Karl. Now with six months to go on his contract, the weak management of Channel Nine wants to sack Karl over this interview.
‘Tommy Robinson has a lesson for Australians. If we don’t learn from the UK’s mistakes on immigration and radical Islam, we are going to face the same destruction. This is exactly what Karl was trying to bring to Australia’s attention.’
Hanson then concluded her post by asking: ‘Have Channel Nine become just as bad as the ABC?’
Robinson has been a prominent figure in right-wing activism in the UK for almost a decade, and has a lengthy criminal record.
On Friday, Karl declared ‘I am free’ in a video to fans after it was announced live on air that he has left the Today show and Channel Nine
The Daily Mail sought comment from Channel Nine and a representative for Stefanovic.
On Friday, Karl declared ‘I am free’ in a video to fans after it was announced live on air that he has left the Today show and Channel Nine.
His Today co-host Sarah Abo broke down in tears as she announced the news on Friday morning after mounting speculation about his future at the network.
‘Look, we know there has been a lot of speculation about Karl’s future with the show. Today we wanted to inform you that Karl will not be returning to the Today show or to Nine,’ she said.
Fill-in host Tom Steinfort said it was ‘no longer possible’ for Stefanovic to work on both the breakfast show and his podcast, The Karl Stefanovic Show.
‘As you know, he’s been pursuing a podcast project independently of Nine for the past few months, and it’s been decided he’ll be injecting all of his energy and attention into that, as doing both is no longer possible,’ he said.
In a statement to The Daily Mail, Channel Nine said that they agreed with Stefanovic that he should leave the show ‘immediately’.
‘Nine Entertainment and Karl Stefanovic have agreed that it is no longer possible for him to continue hosting Today at the same time as his independent podcast,’ they said.
His co-host Sarah Abo broke down in tears as she announced the news live on-air on Friday morning after mounting speculation about his future at the network
‘While Karl and Nine had previously agreed he would leave Today at the end of this year, they have subsequently decided he will leave the Network immediately.’
Shortly after the announcement, Stefanovic addressed his Today show fans in a video upload to YouTube, saying the last few days ‘hadn’t been easy’ but he was happy to be ‘truly independent’ at last.
He sent a message to his co-host Abo, asking her to take care of the Today show team.
‘Hey guys, some week, huh? So, I am free. Truly independent. I didn’t get the chance to thank my free to air audience for 21 great years, so thank you for riding the ups and downs. You have my thanks and have all of my love,’ he said.
‘To my colleagues, I’ll ring you privately, but Sares look after everyone for me. I know they’ll miss me desperately, especially Halos and Isaac and Abby and Timmy.
‘But everyone there, I look forward to seeing you soon.’
Stefanovic went on to thank the viewers of his independent podcast and stressed about the importance of ‘freedom of speech’.
‘To my audience on this show, thank you for your messages over the last couple of days. It has really meant everything to me.
‘It wasn’t easy these last couple of days, but we roll on. So, here’s what I believe in. The public deserve to hear perspectives. This country was built by, you know, hardworking Aussies from all around the world, and they were bound by the same values, but very different experiences.
‘So on my show, I’ve spoken to people who have different perspectives. I know that winds some people up. Sometimes I agree with everything a guest says, sometimes I don’t. But importantly, you get to make up your mind. You have the right to hear from different voices.
‘Freedom of speech here and around the world is what this show is about. You don’t have to listen to my show. You have the power. You are smart enough to make up your own mind.
‘I want to thank our sponsors who stood by us, who believe in the freedom of speech that we’re talking about, who are proud to stand by us, to stand by you. I hope other proud sponsors join the show shortly. We’re looking for them. Well, we keep going. Thanks, legends.
‘Honestly, I don’t know what I’m going to do. Um, but I’ll figure it out.’
