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Welcome to The Group Chat with Lucy Manly, where Australia's most trusted society insider shares the hottest gossip before it makes the news.
Cancer battle for Roxy's dad
After years of estrangement from his PR‑queen daughter, Roxy Jacenko's father, Nick Jacenko, is said to be 'very unwell' with cancer.
Details of his illness are scarce, but one source tells me his cancer may be linked to complications arising from a childhood immunisation.
It's understood he is being cared for by his third wife, fashion designer Lisa Ho, at their home in Blueys Beach on the NSW Mid North Coast.
Roxy, now based in Singapore, distanced herself from her father after his split from her mother, Doreen Davis.
Fashion designer Lisa Ho is caring for husband Nick who is 'unwell' battling cancer
Roxy, now based in Singapore, distanced herself from her father Nick Jacenko after his split from her mother, Doreen Davis
When contacted on Tuesday, Nick declined to comment but did not deny the cancer claims.
Whether the diagnosis will thaw the icy relationship between father and daughter remains to be seen.
The pair's rift made headlines in 2016, when Nick alleged that he and Ho crossed paths with Roxy in Woollahra, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, and that the encounter turned explosive.
He claimed his daughter began 'raining blows' on them in the street, alleging she verbally assaulted him before striking him around the head. Ho further alleged Roxy repeatedly screamed: 'You should be ashamed of yourself.'
Roxy vehemently denied the claims at the time, telling the Mail: 'There is no basis for these allegations. I can only attribute such comments to a sad quest for public notoriety by my father, Nick Jacenko, and Lisa Ho.'
By 2017, any hope of reconciliation appeared slim. Asked about repairing the relationship, she told the Mail: 'Not. A. Chance!'
'How he has treated my mother after 30 years of her dedication to our family and their business endeavours, coupled with the fact he hasn't even attempted to meet my son, Hunter, or enquire when I got cancer,' she said.
Roxy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, just weeks after her husband Oliver Curtis was jailed for insider trading. She underwent surgery and radiation treatment.
Ho and Jacenko live a quiet life in Blueys Beach on the NSW Mid North Coast
Roxy's mother Doreen (right) is loved up with retired music industry executive Chris Moss (left)
In 2019, Nick and Ho wed in a secret ceremony, with Roxy notably absent from the guest list.
Nick has been married three times - first to Sandra O'Keefe, then to Doreen, with whom he shares daughters Roxy and Ruby, before tying the knot with Ho. He is also father to Shawn and Tracey from his first marriage.
Doreen, meanwhile, is in a relationship with retired music industry executive Chris Moss, who you may remember from his appearance as a judge on early Noughties talent show Popstars.
I see the couple from time to time around North Bondi and they always appear smitten.
Femme fatale's new man
Emerging from an international flight - no doubt from the pointy end of the plane - professional socialite Emma Steel was spotted swanning through Sydney Airport alongside her Rich Lister beau Shaun Bonétt last Friday.
In true Steel style, she was dripping in designer labels, including a $3,400 Louis Vuitton cashmere chain sweater and toting an Hermès Kelly with cross-body strap worth a small fortune.
The Group Chat first revealed the eastern suburbs femme fatale had locked down her cashed-up new man back in January, after he whisked her and her children off for a no-expense-spared trip to Dubai.
Bonétt reportedly flew them first class before checking into ultra-luxury hotspot Atlantis The Royal, holing up in the resort's crown jewel: the Royal Mansion penthouse.
The two-level, four-bedroom sky palace floats high above the Palm and comes complete with an infinity pool, outdoor kitchen, private lift, 24/7 butler service, library and bar. It's easily one of the most exclusive hotel stays in the world.
Emma Steel swanned through Sydney Airport with her Rich Lister boyfriend Shaun Bonétt. I've reported on her romance with a cashed-up mystery man before - now we have his name
The pair, who travel extensively, returned from Europe last Friday. They had previously been on a seven-star Dubai holiday
Steel was seen wearing a $3,400 Louis Vuitton cashmere chain sweater and toting an Hermès Kelly with cross-body strap worth a small fortune
As we know, exclusivity doesn't come cheap - a single night will reportedly set you back a cool $150,000, with a five-night minimum over the festive season, when guests enjoy uninterrupted views of Dubai's famous New Year's Eve fireworks.
Shopping centre magnate Bonétt was ranked No. 103 on the 2025 Financial Review Rich List with an eye-watering estimated net worth of $170billion.
He shares a daughter, Eve, with his estranged wife Vanessa Bonétt, and was once rumoured to be engaged to South African actress and model Pearl Thusi.
For those readers unfamiliar with Ms Steel - boy, does she have a backstory.
Back in 2020, a magistrate found that she had wrongly accused her neurosurgeon ex-husband, Dr Timothy Steel, of assault.
She had alleged that Dr Steel punched, slapped and kicked her in the couple's eastern suburbs home - but a court ruled that her evidence was inconsistent and all charges were dismissed.
At the time, Dr Steel's solicitor, Paul McGirr, had described Ms Steel as a witness of 'very little credit' and an 'unhinged person' who made up allegations against her husband.
'In relation to her, she will make up anything to suit herself,' Mr McGirr said.
At the time, footage tendered to court showed Ms Steel nagging Dr Steel about money, despite being given $24,000 a month for personal and household expenses and a full-time nanny.
'You drip-feed me,' she said to her then-husband in the video.
'$24,000 a month!' Dr Steel replied. Ms Steel then protested: 'Big deal. You're on six million or four million dollars a year, Tim.'
The magistrate's decision - and the withering defence offered by Dr Steel's lawyers - captivated Sydney's society pages, earning her a reputation that has kept her name in gossip columns ever since.
Uninvited!
There was no shortage of glamour on Sydney Harbour last weekend when Ocean Media managing director Hilary Buckman hosted a select circle aboard a lavish Burgess superyacht for a prime-position view of SailGP.
But while the champagne was flowing freely, I'm told the guest list was tightly managed.
According to a well-placed source, one invitee was swiftly disinvited after Buckman learned their plus-one had once enjoyed a brief dalliance with star guest - and thrill-seeking philanthropist - Luke Hepworth.
Hepworth, 52, has long cut a colourful figure on the social circuit, with a former reputation as an international playboy. He was previously linked to former foreign minister Julie Bishop before settling down with Melbourne lawyer Amanda Smorgon, a member of the prominent Smorgon family.
Hillary Buckman posted content of the star couple from a SailGP event on Sydney Harbour after disinviting a plus-one over a prior dalliance with dapper philanthropist Luke Hepworth
Ocean Media managing director Hilary Buckman hosted a select circle aboard a lavish Burgess superyacht for a prime-position view of SailGP
The Smorgons are counted among Australia's wealthiest clans, with an estimated combined fortune north of $2.7billion.
My source claims the plus-one was approved until Buckman caught wind of the romantic history with Hepworth. The invitation was allegedly withdrawn soon after.
Hepworth boasts a string of headline-grabbing charity feats, from climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to completing the World Marathon Challenge - seven marathons across seven continents in seven days.
Buckman told The Group Chat: 'Last weekend, Ocean magazine hosted a private, invitation-only gathering to watch the KPMG Sydney SailGP with a small group of Ocean Club yacht owners, partners, and friends of the Ocean community.
'These events are carefully curated, and the guest list is determined at the discretion of the publisher.
'Given the nature of the event, we do not comment on individual invitations or private matters relating to guests.
'For clarity, this was a private Ocean Club event and not affiliated with SailGP.'
Elle v Cindy: The saga continues
Sydney's messiest TikTok feud has - once again - popped up at the Downing Centre.
Canadian‑born influencer Cindy Kilian, aka 'RegardingCindy', appeared before Magistrate Karen Stafford on Wednesday after applying for a private AVO against her former BFF Elle Salagaras, known to her followers as 'EasternSuburbsMum'.
But there was little sympathy from the bench, with Magistrate Stafford delivering a pointed warning: if Kilian fails in her bid, she could be facing thousands of dollars in legal costs.
She was told of the dangers of proceeding unrepresented, and the potential for an adverse costs order in the event that Salagaras is successful at hearing.
The feud between eastern suburbs frenemies Elle Salagaras (left) and Cindy Kilian (right) has - once again - popped up at Downing Centre Local Court
She has been ordered to file her evidence by March 18, with the matter returning to court on April 8 for a compliance check where it is expected to be locked in for hearing.
As readers will recall, the once-thick-as-thieves besties fell out last year after Salagaras claimed she had been assaulted by the co-owner of a popular venue, and Kilian declared she would continue to patronise it regardless.
By late November, tensions were impossible to ignore, with the feud bubbling over at a glossy influencer event atop the InterContinental in Double Bay.
'Queer Zionist' reinvention
Controversial non-binary influencer Deni Todorović has once again set tongues wagging - this time with a declaration few saw coming.
In their latest eyebrow-raising revelation, the outspoken Todorović, who uses they/them pronouns, has 'come out' yet again - now proudly identifying as a queer Zionist.
'I'm queer. I believe in God. I'm converting to Judaism and I stand with my people - the Jewish people, queer and otherwise,' they told The Jewish Independent.
Controversial non-binary influencer Deni Todorović has 'come out' as a Queer Zionist
It's a striking declaration from the Serbian Orthodox-born socialite, later raised as a Jehovah's Witness, and far from the first time they've found themselves at the centre of controversy
Todorović, 37, made headlines for their diva meltdown with Jetstar over excess baggage fees
'I'm a Zionist, proudly - one with nuance, critical thinking and the ability to look beyond the binaries of this conflict. These things need not be mutually exclusive.'
It's a striking declaration from the Serbian Orthodox-born socialite, later raised as a Jehovah's Witness, and far from the first time they've found themselves at the centre of controversy.
Todorović, 37, has made headlines in the past for their diva meltdown with Jetstar over excess baggage fees and a string of eyebrow-raising Fashion Week moments.
In 2023, the influencer was also hit with an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) following a messy relationship breakdown.
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