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Smiling ‘Adri’ no tragic figure

Photos of Adriana Xenides taken just 3 weeks ago show a much happier woman than some media articles depicted, as a furious friend tells TV Tonight.

These photos of Adriana Xenides were taken just three weeks ago.

They were snapped as part of an assignment at the Make-Up course she was undertaking.

They contrast with recent media reports of Xenides as a tragic figure, some of which appeared just a day after her funeral.

A furious friend, publicist Michael Shephard has blasted stories that portrayed her in a sad, negative light.

“News Limited should be ashamed of themselves this week on some of the so-called reporting they’ve done on Adriana,” he told TV Tonight.

“I’ve been flooded all week with calls from friends of Adriana, media and my own friends absolutely disgusted and frustrated with allegations such as ‘A Dog as Her only Friend’, ‘Suggesting she trawls through magazines in newsagents looking for stories of herself’, to being described as a ‘cunning self promoter.'”

Other media have also commented on the tone of articles.

Jo Casamento in the Sun-Herald said: “Poor-taste media coverage of the passing of the delightful Adriana Xenides turned this columnist’s stomach. Having had the pleasure of working with Adriana on Beauty and the Beast some years ago, my memory of her is of one fine lady – not of the dishevelled bag lady that has been portrayed. She was classic until the end.”

Amanda Meade in The Australian observed: “Game show hostess Adriana Xenides, who died last Monday aged 54, had not even been buried when some tasteless anecdotes appeared in newspapers and on radio…..At her private funeral on Friday, friends and industry colleagues were mystified and devastated by aspects of the coverage.”

These photos of the Wheel of Fortune hostess who died last week, aged 54, were released to TV Tonight to reaffirm that despite some health challenges in her life, she was moving forward and optimistic. She had completed all the assignments required for a Make Up Certificate and was looking forward to a new career path.

Many Seven Network staff also spoke highly of Xenides with Tim Worner, Director of Programming and Production, previously noting, “The lady was a class act and her many friends at Seven will miss her.”

The last photograph here was taken on an iPhone.

The clip below was played at her funeral.

12 Responses

  1. Absolutely stunning girl with an infectious smile and a wonderful heart, i will never forget her. One must pity the person who said things in poor taste. Adriana will always be class and a queen in my eyes.Thank you David for being my friend

  2. l am so lucky l see a beautiful intelligant woman Not just a pretty face!
    God Bless your journey Adriana.l only had the pleasure of working with divine lady once – elegant, refined and very warm.
    Deb Cooper

  3. For someone to last as long as Adriana did on Wheel and was know world wide as the longest hostess says a lot about the person.
    It was a pleasure to know you an work with you!

  4. i did think the news pieces were overly dramatic, not the adriana we’d see on tv, so nice to have some clarification from a friend.

    beautiful pics!

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