In a heartfelt and humorous update, Australian comedy legend Magda Szubanski has opened up about her ongoing battle with cancer while expressing gratitude to her devoted fans for their support of her beloved show, Kath & Kim.
At the age of 64, Szubanski humorously described her latest phase of treatment as "chemo couture," even cracking a joke about whether she qualifies for appearances on a show titled The Bald and the Beautiful.
This all started back in May when Szubanski bravely shared her shocking diagnosis of stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a rare and highly aggressive type of blood cancer. In that initial announcement, she revealed that she had taken the step of shaving her head in preparation for the chemotherapy that lay ahead of her. (For more details, check out the full story on 7NEWS.)
Since her diagnosis, she has maintained a candid and refreshingly honest approach to discussing her health journey, mixing raw vulnerability with her trademark humor. Her ability to tackle such a serious topic with a lighthearted spirit is truly inspiring and provides a sense of comfort to many.
In a recent video shared on Sunday, Szubanski appeared upbeat and in good spirits as she took a moment to thank the popular drag queens Trixie and Katya for enjoying Kath & Kim and sharing their love for her quirky character, Sharon Strzelecki.
"I know this is a bit late, but so many folks have sent me links of Trixie and Katya watching Kath and Kim," she mentioned with enthusiasm. "They’re having a great time and laughing at the characters, and I just wanted to express my gratitude for your support. It truly means a lot to me!"
Moreover, she even encouraged the comedy queens to check out her earlier work from the 1990s, a sketch show called Big Girl's Blouse, where she introduced the characters from Fountain Lakes — which later became household names.
In her typical entertaining style, Szubanski shared an unexpected backstory behind the iconic hairstyle of her clumsy, sports-loving character. "Did you know that Sharon’s hairstyle actually pays homage to the Dorothy Hamill wedge?" she revealed, referencing the iconic ice skater from the late 1970s, renowned for her sensible and practical haircut suited for a sporty lifestyle.
"I can assure you, mine is definitely a product of chemo couture!" she added, with a cheeky touch of wit. The post came with a caption that read, "Maybe I now qualify to come on The Bald and the Beautiful?? #chemocoiffure."
To provide additional context, she shared a fun fact about the fashionable Dorothy Hamill wedge, stating, "Just an FYI, the #DorothyHamill #wedge first made its grand entrance in 1976. And by the way, Sharon sends her love. Unfortunately, she can't join us today because she got her netball bib stuck in the sliding door of the team’s Toyota Tarago people mover!"
Since disclosing her diagnosis to the public, Szubanski has been remarkably transparent about her health experiences. When she first shared her story, she included a poignant image of her freshly shaved head, explaining that it was a preemptive measure in anticipation of losing her hair due to chemotherapy treatments.
"This cancer is not widely known; it was only discovered indirectly through a routine breast screening, which revealed that my lymph nodes were enlarged," she reflected on that time. "Honestly, I hadn't been feeling well for quite a while. So, I insisted on more blood tests, and — voila!"
She concluded with a key takeaway that resonates with many: "Make sure to get tested and pay close attention to what your body is telling you!" Despite her struggles, she reassured her fans that she is in capable hands and high spirits, but humorously reserved the right to occasionally be a "cranky old moll."
"Sending love to you all, Mags."
This statement not only highlights the challenges of dealing with cancer but also showcases the unexpected joy and laughter that can arise during difficult times. What are your thoughts on how celebrities handle such personal issues publicly? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments — do you think there’s a line between sharing struggles for support and privacy? Let's discuss!
