Grace Tame puts on a brave face as she flaunts her ripped midriff and cuddles up to JoJo Siwa's ex Kath Ebbs at Mardi Gala Ball - amid calls for her to lose Australian of the Year title

Grace Tame appeared to leave her recent controversies at home as she attended a ritzy party on Tuesday night. 

The activist headed out to the Mardi Gala Ball ahead of the 2026 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, where she was joined by a well-known friend. 

The 31-year-old cuddled up to non-binary actress and 'queer advocate' Kath Ebbs, who recently made headlines for her romance with American reality star JoJo Siwa. 

Grace commanded attention in a trendy ensemble that included a silver crop top that flaunted her toned midriff. 

She added a black blazer and matching trousers for a little edge, finishing the look with strappy heels. 

Grace chose a peachy makeup palette with an orange-red lipstick and lots of highlighter, while slicking her blonde hair back into a bun. 

Kath, 28, chose a fitted black gown with cut-outs at the bust that showed off some cleavage and sheer panels. 

They added to the look with zebra-print heels and opted for a soft makeup palette with a pink satin lipstick. 

Grace is currently engaged to Max Heerey, while Kath is dating AFLW player Tilly Lucas-Rodd. 

Kath, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, underwent a high-profile split from pop star JoJo Siwa after the Celebrity Big Brother UK saga last year.

In April 2025, the content creator became the unlikely centre of a global media storm after JoJo formed a romance with housemate Chris Hughes.

For Grace, it's been a tumultuous period after thousands of Aussies signed a petition for the 2021 Australian of the Year winner to be stripped of the honour after she chanted 'globalise the intifada'.

Tame used the controversial phrase 'intifada' and anti-Israel rhetoric during a speech at a rally in Sydney last week, protesting a visit from Israeli president Isaac Herzog.

Grace has faced heavy criticism after the rally erupted into clashes between protesters and police.

A petition launched by Rebel News has garnered more than 28,000 signatures calling for her to be stripped of her Australian of the Year title

The petition is also calling for authorities to charge Tame with '[alleged] criminal incitement to violence under existing Australian law'. 

The petition took umbrage at Tame leading the rally by chanting 'from Gadigal Aboriginal name for Sydney to Gaza, globalise the intifada'.

'The term intifada is historically associated with violent uprisings and armed conflict,' the petition states. 

'Its use in Australia, particularly when amplified by a former national honouree, has caused profound distress within the Jewish community and concern across the broader public.

'This occurred in a climate already charged with fear and trauma, including in the wake of the horrific Bondi Beach terror attack.'

The petition stated it was 'about responsibility' and 'not silencing debate'.

Tens of thousands of Aussies backed the petition, with many taking to social media to vent their frustrations.