Swinging open her front door, the only thing brighter than the Sydney morning's unexpected sunshine is Jessica Rowe's beaming smile. Delivering a flurry of hugs and cheek kisses, Jess's excitement is palpable as she rushes to offer tea, coffee, water, bustling into the kitchen (which, she says, she cleaned ahead of time for us) to start up a round of refreshments. It's a gorgeous, open-plan living area that feels light and clutter-free. But look closely and it's not hard to spot the influence Jess has had on the decor. A cluster of kitsch cat figurines adorn a shelf in the butler's pantry. Her own devoted menagerie of pets (two cats, one dog) trail her as she wafts through the room. Vibrantly coloured cushions plump up the velvet armchairs in which we settle down to chat. And then there's the large collection of beloved family photographs taking pride of place on the sideboard.
Prominent among them is a picture from a Christmas photo shoot she, along with Channel Nine newsreader husband Peter Overton and their two daughters, Allegra and Giselle, took part in for The Weekly back in 2018. She's done, she guestimates, about 10 shoots for us over the course of her career, including one for the cover in November, 2004. But this picture - and the one we're preparing to take today - are particularly close to her heart.
"I had it framed because I love that it sums us all up perfectly. Petey is there going, 'Okay, I'll wear this daggy Christmas jumper', and I'm in a gown throwing glitter and the girls are all 'Oh!"" she says, pulling a face of mock embarrassment. "Can I just say that when I was asked to do the Christmas cover this year, I got all teary because it's such an honour. I cannot tell you what this means to me. I love The Weekly and have since I was a little girl. The Christmas issue is always so beautiful, so being on the cover? I really can’t believe it. Thank you!”
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