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| Michelle Leslie (born 13 April 1981), is an interior designer based in ]. During her early career as a ], she also worked under the name Michelle Lee. In 2005, Leslie was arrested, convicted and served a three-month sentence for possessing two ecstasy tablets in Bali, Indonesia. | |||
| ==Early Life and Family== | |||
| In Australia, the case received national media coverage at the time of the ] and "]" trials, two other high-profile cases of Australians convicted on drugs charges in Bali. | |||
| Leslie was born in ], ] to Albert and Violeta Leslie.<ref name="SupremeModel">{{cite news | title = Supreme Model Revealed | date = 22 November 2000 | work = ] | page = 51 }}</ref> Her father, Albert Leslie, was known as a former ] and as assistant coach to the ] basketball team. She was educated at ]. | |||
| ==Early career== | |||
| Leslie was born in ], ] to Albert and Violeta Leslie.<ref name="SupremeModel">{{cite news | title = Supreme Model Revealed | date = 22 November 2000 | work = ] | page = 51 }}</ref> Albert Leslie, her father, was later known both as a former ] and as assistant coach to the ] basketball team.<ref name="Bockmann20050823">{{cite news | last = Bockmann | first = Michelle Wiese | title = Exotic features made Leslie the ant's pants | date = 23 August 2005 | work = ] | page = 3 }}</ref> A self-confessed tomboy when young, Michelle Leslie was educated at ] in Adelaide, and became interested in modelling only after her father gave her a course at a modelling school as a 15th birthday present.<ref name="Bockmann20050823" /><ref name="Craig20001112">{{cite news | last = Craig | first = Marina | title = Were they really model children, too? | date = 12 November 2000 | work = ] | page = 114 }}</ref> She enjoyed it enough to undertake a second course, and shortly thereafter left school in order to pursue a full-time modelling career.<ref name="Craig20001112" /> She soon emerged as one of the "most prominent catwalk and catalogue models" in the state,<ref name="ToTheTop">{{cite news | title = Young, Diverse and Taking South Australia to the Top | date = 19 February 2000 | work = ] | page = 5 }}</ref> working for stores such as ] and ].<ref name="SearchOnForModels">{{cite news | title = Search on for models | date = 19 March 2000 | work = ] | page = 42 }}</ref><ref name="Craig20030302">{{cite news | last = Craig | first = Marina | title = Homecoming for Michelle | date = 2 March 2003 | work = ] | page = 5 }}</ref> | |||
| In October 2012, Leslie married fiancée Adam Zammit, having worked with him promoting events through Peer Group Media. The couple separated two years later in 2014. | |||
| In 2000 she appeared as one of the 20 finalists in the first series of the Australian '']'' reality show, and was first runner-up in the 2000 ] pageant held in Darwin.<ref name="SupremeModel" /><ref name="Bockmann20050823" /> She was "catapulted on to the international catwalk" when her appearance, the product of her ] and Australian background, became in demand. As a result, she gained work within Asia, appearing under the name "Michelle Lee".<ref name="Bockmann20050823" /> Off the catwalks she gained prominence as one of the two models involved in a 2004 Antz Pantz advertising campaign and, prior to this, as the face of the Crystelle lingerie brand.<ref name="DevlinRoweCarusoJellicoe">{{cite news | last = Devlin | first = Rebekah |author2=Rowe, Elizabeth |author3=Caruso, Carla |author4=Jellicoe, Naomi | title = Billboard beauty wants a TV career | date = 28 December 2004 | work = ] | page = 22 }}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | ==Arrest and trial== | ||
| Leslie was born in ], ] to Albert and Violeta Leslie. Albert Leslie, her father, was later known both as a former ] and as assistant coach to the basketball team.<ref name="Bockmann20050823">{{cite news | last = Bockmann | first = Michelle Wiese | title = Exotic features made Leslie the ant's pants | date = 23 August 2005 | work = ] | page = 3 }}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | On 21 August 2005 two pills were discovered by police in Michelle Leslie's handbag during her visit to an open-air dance party at ] on the ]n island of ].<ref name="ModelFaceJail">{{cite news | title = Aussie model could face jail | date = 22 August 2005 | work = ] | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/aussie-model-could-face-jail/2005/08/22/1124562773202.html | accessdate =28 April 2009 }}</ref> Police suspected the pills to be illegal substances and she was arrested, with forensic tests subsequently finding the pills to be the drug ]. Urine tests conducted at the time of her arrest showed no evidence of the use of the drug, although a later blood test found traces of ]s.<ref name="ModelFaceJail" /><ref name="Forbes20050901">{{cite news | last = Forbes | first = Mark | title = Traces of ecstasy 'found in model's blood' | date = 1 September 2005 | work = ] | url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/traces-of-ecstasy-found-in-models-blood/2005/08/31/1125302632663.html | accessdate =28 April 2009 }}</ref> |
||
| ⚫ | ==Arrest and trial== | ||
| According to Indonesian police, Leslie claimed that the pills were given to her by a friend, "Mia". Mia was later revealed to be Nameera Azmaan, who was also a model based in Singapore and working out of the Chic Management Agency. Azmaan denied having given the ecstasy to Ms Leslie.<ref>{{cite news |title='Mia' denies planting Leslie pills |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2005/11/23/1132703248290.html |work=] |date=23 November 2005 |accessdate=27 April 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Leslie media deal sparks outrage |url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=60406 |publisher=] News |date=21 November 2005 |accessdate=27 April 2009}}</ref> At the time of arrest, Leslie was in the company of Azmaan and, allegedly, one of the sons of the then Coordinating Minister for the Economy ] and two unidentified men.<ref>{{cite news |first=Neil |last=McMahon |title=Leslie 'was with son of Indonesian minister' |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/leslie-was-with-son-of-indonesian-minister/2005/11/05/1130823439866.html |work=] |date=6 November 2005 |accessdate=27 April 2009}}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | On 21 August 2005 two pills were discovered by police in Michelle Leslie's handbag during her visit to an open-air dance party at ] on the ]n island of ].<ref name="ModelFaceJail">{{cite news | title = Aussie model could face jail | date = 22 August 2005 | work = ] | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/aussie-model-could-face-jail/2005/08/22/1124562773202.html | accessdate =28 April 2009 }}</ref> Police suspected the pills to be illegal substances and she was arrested, with forensic tests subsequently finding the pills to be the drug ]. Urine tests conducted at the time of her arrest showed no evidence of the use of the drug, although a later blood test found traces of ]s.<ref name="ModelFaceJail" /><ref name="Forbes20050901">{{cite news | last = Forbes | first = Mark | title = Traces of ecstasy 'found in model's blood' | date = 1 September 2005 | work = ] | url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/traces-of-ecstasy-found-in-models-blood/2005/08/31/1125302632663.html | accessdate =28 April 2009 }}</ref> | ||
| On 14 October 2005 the '']'' reported that Leslie could possibly be released within weeks as a report from a ] doctor had been provided to prosecutors stating that she was addicted to ] medication. Under Indonesian law this would allow her to be tried as a "user" and benefit from a reduced sentence. The maximum sentence for a user is three months' imprisonment, whereas the maximum penalty for possession is 15 years. | |||
| Leslie's trial began on 28 October 2005 in the Denpasar District Court and concluded on 18 November with her being found guilty of using a prohibited substance. She was sentenced to three months in jail but, due to the three months already spent in custody, was freed from Kerobokan prison at about 1 pm on 19 November. Indonesian immigration officials announced that she would be ] from the country due to her guilty conviction. She flew out of Bali to Singapore where she spent time with friends and family before returning to Sydney, Australia on the morning of 22 November. | Leslie's trial began on 28 October 2005 in the Denpasar District Court and concluded on 18 November with her being found guilty of using a prohibited substance. She was sentenced to three months in jail but, due to the three months already spent in custody, was freed from Kerobokan prison at about 1 pm on 19 November. Indonesian immigration officials announced that she would be ] from the country due to her guilty conviction. She flew out of Bali to Singapore where she spent time with friends and family before returning to Sydney, Australia on the morning of 22 November. | ||
| ==Modelling and fashion== | |||
| ==Alleged conversion to Islam== | |||
| Her fashion career took a different turn in 2007 with the launch of a range of clothing for dogs. Working with friend (and current owner of the business) Traci Griffith, "Miyow & Barkley" had early success when their first range of clothing and accessories sold out shortly after being launched. | |||
| During her incarceration, Leslie began wearing ] and announced through a spokesman that she had converted to the ] some eighteen months prior to her arrest, although some in the media had suggested otherwise—arguing that her conversion was much more recent and an attempt to win favour in court.<ref name="muslimapology">{{cite news | title = Model's lawyers apologise to Muslims | date = 30 August 2005 | work = ] | url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/models-lawyers-apologise-to-muslims/2005/08/30/1125302550068.html | accessdate =1 May 2009 }}</ref> However, the nature of her belief remains unclear. In an interview after her release, she stated that she did not "really know what makes you or not makes you a Muslim", and that she was "not a practising Muslim".<ref name="Hayes2006">{{cite news | last = Hayes | first = Liz | authorlink = Liz Hayes | title = The price of freedom (transcript) | date = 4 June 2006 | work = ] | url = http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=259402 | accessdate =1 May 2009 }}</ref> Years later, her religious beliefs continued to spark commentary, with accusations that she was an "on-again, off-again Muslim model"<ref name="Lunn20070516">{{cite news | last = Lunn | first = Stephen | title = Hardly Homer as clever Kevin tunes into pop culture | date = 16 April 2007 | work = ] | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21561542-7583,00.html?from=public_rss | accessdate =1 May 2009 }}</ref> and that she had "introduced the world to disposable Islam".<ref name="BestWishes">{{cite news | title = Best wishes | date = 15 August 2007 | work = ] | url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/speed-cameras-are-soft-in-the-head/2007/08/14/1186857512009.html | accessdate =1 May 2009 }}</ref> | |||
| In 2010, Leslie, along with performers Natalie Imbruglia and Rachel Taylor, was chosen to appear in a photo feature for Harpers Bazaar, putting Australian celebrities in Disney movie settings. Leslie was photographed with the Bra boys on Maroubra beach, re-enacting a scene from Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves. | |||
| The change in dress that coincided with her announcement led to further debate, with Leslie choosing to don a ] on one occasion when she appeared in court, and opting to wear Islamic dress, such as traditional Muslim ], until she was released.<ref name="muslimapology" /><ref name="payday">{{cite news | title = Bumper pay day looms for Leslie | date = 21 November 2005 | work = ] | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bumper-pay-day-looms-for-leslie/2005/11/21/1132421591642.html | accessdate =1 May 2009 }}</ref> Strong criticism emerged upon her release when she was seen wearing tight-fitting clothes without the hijab on her departure from the prison.<ref name="payday" /> Once she had returned to Australia, the President of the ], ], joined the debate by recommending that she refrain from returning to her former career as "a model for lingerie and underwear", as such behaviour was "not allowed in Islam".<ref name="renounceIslam">{{cite news | title = Leslie told to change or renounce Islam | date = 21 November 2005 | work = ] | url = http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2005/11/21/1132421588500.html | accessdate =1 May 2009 }}</ref> In explaining her reasons for adopting the dress, Leslie stated in an interview for '']'', that the reason she started wearing the hijab while incarcerated was because she was afraid of being sexually assaulted, and to protect herself when she faced the "media scrum".<ref name="Hayes2006" /> Her decision to wear traditional Islamic dress for protection has since been raised as a defence of ], as it has been suggested that she demonstrated how the "requirement for Muslim women to cover themselves was meant to protect them".<ref name="Pathoni2009">{{cite news | last = Pathoni | first = Ahmad | title = In Indonesia's Aceh, some discontent over Islamic law | date = 8 April 2009 | work = Monsters and Critics | url = http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/asiapacific/features/article_1469637.php/In_Indonesias_Aceh_some_discontent_over_Islamic_law__Feature__ | accessdate =1 May 2009 }}</ref> | |||
| ==Recent activities== | |||
| ==Interior Design== | |||
| Upon her return to Australia, Michelle Leslie left the Chic Management agency and signed with agent Max Markson.<ref name="Orphanage">{{cite news | title = Model Leslie visits Cambodian orphanage | date = 18 April 2006 | work = ] | url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Model-Leslie-visits-Cambodian-orphanage/2006/04/18/1145126060952.html | accessdate =29 April 2009 }}</ref> Shortly thereafter she travelled to ] to help raise money for the charity Krousar Thmey, meeting with ] and spending time in local orphanages, before returning home to once again appear on the catwalk.<ref name="Orphanage" /><ref name="TheKingAndI">{{cite news | title = The king and I: Michelle Leslie | date = 10 April 2006 | work = ] | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/the-king-and-i-michelle-leslie/2006/04/10/1144521255623.html | accessdate =29 April 2009 }}</ref> Arriving in time for ], her return to the catwalk was in April 2006, modelling ] for designer Michael Azzollini.<ref name="Huntington20060419">{{cite news | last = Huntington | first = Patty | title = Model prisoner back on catwalk | date = 19 April 2006 | work = ] | url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/fashion/model-prisoners-comeback/2006/04/19/1145344115810.html | accessdate =29 April 2009 }}</ref> | |||
| After studying for her Diploma of Interior Design at the Sydney Design School, Leslie established her own practice, Michelle Leslie Interior Design in 2008 . One of her most notable projects is her redesign of Pretty Beach House after it burnt down in a fire in 2012. Leslie worked together with chef Stefano Manfredi <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/Stefano_Manfredi</ref> and owner John Singleton<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/John_Singleton_(Australian_entrepreneur)</ref> to relaunch the boutique retreat in 2015. The interior design scheme for Pretty Beach House was selected as one of 14 finalists in the Commercial Interior (Public Space & Hospitality) for the 2016 Dulux Colour Awards. | |||
| Although she did have a few modelling jobs after returning to Australia, her career took a different turn when, in 2007, she launched a range of clothing for dogs. Working with friend (and current owner of the business) Traci Griffith, "Miyow & Barkley" had early success when their first range of clothing and accessories sold out shortly after being launched.<ref name="Moran20070415">{{cite news | last = Moran | first = Jonathon | title = Michelle Leslie's dogged saviour | date = 15 April 2007 | work = ] | url = http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21556831-5006009,00.html | accessdate =29 April 2009 }}</ref><ref name="Moran20070812">{{cite news | last = Moran | first = Jonathon | title = Leslie splits with partner | date = 12 August 2007 | work = ] | url = http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22228409-5001021,00.html | accessdate =29 April 2009 }}</ref> | |||
| Leslie has also worked with Singleton and his business partner Andrew Varasdi on the interior design and fit-out of their corporate box in the Royal Randwick Racecourse grandstand. | |||
| More recently, Leslie had been working with fiancé <ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,28383,25953854-5013560,00.html | work=The Daily Telegraph | title=Bali bailout babe Michelle Leslie gets her engagement ring | date=20 August 2009}}</ref> Adam Zammit to promote events through Peer Group Media.<ref name="Devlin20080912">{{cite news | last = Devlin | first = Rebekah |author2=Vlach, Anna |author3=Noonan, Amy | title = Model Michelle makes mark | date = 12 September 2008 | work = ] | page = 33 }}</ref> Leslie and Zammit married in New Zealand in October 2012 but split up two years later.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/adam-zammit-and-michelle-leslie-split-up-after-two-years-of-marriage/story-fni0cvc9-1227061501192| work=The Daily Telegraph | title=Adam Zammit and Michelle Leslie split up after two years of marriage | date= 18 September 2014| accessdate =22 February 2015}}</ref> | |||
| ==Footnotes== | ==Footnotes== | ||
Revision as of 03:13, 3 March 2017
| Michelle Leslie | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1981-04-13) 13 April 1981 (age 43) Adelaide, South Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Other names | Michelle Lee |
| Occupation | Model |
Michelle Leslie (born 13 April 1981), is an interior designer based in Sydney, Australia. During her early career as a model, she also worked under the name Michelle Lee. In 2005, Leslie was arrested, convicted and served a three-month sentence for possessing two ecstasy tablets in Bali, Indonesia.
Early Life and Family
Leslie was born in Adelaide, South Australia to Albert and Violeta Leslie. Her father, Albert Leslie, was known as a former Olympian and as assistant coach to the Adelaide 36ers basketball team. She was educated at Sacred Heart College.
In October 2012, Leslie married fiancée Adam Zammit, having worked with him promoting events through Peer Group Media. The couple separated two years later in 2014.
Leslie was born in Adelaide, South Australia to Albert and Violeta Leslie. Albert Leslie, her father, was later known both as a former Olympian and as assistant coach to the basketball team.
Arrest and trial
On 21 August 2005 two pills were discovered by police in Michelle Leslie's handbag during her visit to an open-air dance party at GWK park on the Indonesian island of Bali. Police suspected the pills to be illegal substances and she was arrested, with forensic tests subsequently finding the pills to be the drug ecstasy. Urine tests conducted at the time of her arrest showed no evidence of the use of the drug, although a later blood test found traces of amphetamines.
Leslie's trial began on 28 October 2005 in the Denpasar District Court and concluded on 18 November with her being found guilty of using a prohibited substance. She was sentenced to three months in jail but, due to the three months already spent in custody, was freed from Kerobokan prison at about 1 pm on 19 November. Indonesian immigration officials announced that she would be deported from the country due to her guilty conviction. She flew out of Bali to Singapore where she spent time with friends and family before returning to Sydney, Australia on the morning of 22 November.
Modelling and fashion
Her fashion career took a different turn in 2007 with the launch of a range of clothing for dogs. Working with friend (and current owner of the business) Traci Griffith, "Miyow & Barkley" had early success when their first range of clothing and accessories sold out shortly after being launched.
In 2010, Leslie, along with performers Natalie Imbruglia and Rachel Taylor, was chosen to appear in a photo feature for Harpers Bazaar, putting Australian celebrities in Disney movie settings. Leslie was photographed with the Bra boys on Maroubra beach, re-enacting a scene from Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves.
Interior Design
After studying for her Diploma of Interior Design at the Sydney Design School, Leslie established her own practice, Michelle Leslie Interior Design in 2008 . One of her most notable projects is her redesign of Pretty Beach House after it burnt down in a fire in 2012. Leslie worked together with chef Stefano Manfredi and owner John Singleton to relaunch the boutique retreat in 2015. The interior design scheme for Pretty Beach House was selected as one of 14 finalists in the Commercial Interior (Public Space & Hospitality) for the 2016 Dulux Colour Awards.
Leslie has also worked with Singleton and his business partner Andrew Varasdi on the interior design and fit-out of their corporate box in the Royal Randwick Racecourse grandstand.
Footnotes
- Her date of birth appears in a photograph of her charge sheets, reproduced in Freedom road, The Age, 26 November 2005, p. 8.
- "Supreme Model Revealed". The Advertiser. 22 November 2000. p. 51.
- Bockmann, Michelle Wiese (23 August 2005). "Exotic features made Leslie the ant's pants". The Australian. p. 3.
- ^ "Aussie model could face jail". Sydney Morning Herald. 22 August 2005. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
- Forbes, Mark (1 September 2005). "Traces of ecstasy 'found in model's blood'". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/Stefano_Manfredi
- https://en.wikipedia.org/John_Singleton_(Australian_entrepreneur)
References
- Taylor, Rob (28 October 2005). "Leslie claims she was on Ritalin". News Limited.
- Forbes, Mark (14 October 2005). "Leslie may be free in weeks". Sydney Morning Herald.
- Powell, Sian (23 August 2005). "New face of a Bali drug nightmare". The Australian.
- Forbes, Mark (23 August 2005). "Model could lose 15 years for pair of pink pills". The Age.
- Forbes, Mark (24 August 2005). "Model still facing years in prison". Sydney Morning Herald.
- Gibson, Jano (25 August 2005). "Model 'admits ecstasy addiction'". Sydney Morning Herald.
- Powell, Sian (27 August 2005). "Model sacks lawyer over leak". The Australian.
- "Guilty Leslie set to walk free". News Corporation. 18 November 2005.
- "Leslie gives media the slip". Sydney Morning Herald. 20 November 2005.
- Four days to find Allah Herald Sun, 17 April 2006
External links
- Tearful Leslie will not tell full story 25-Nov-2005
- Michelle Leslie Photo Gallery
- Leslie's confidant lifts the veil