In October 2009, Reality TV star Jason Mesnick of The Bachelor returned to Queenstown with his love Molly Malaney and popped the question. During their stay in the resort, the couple enjoyed jet boating and helicopter excursions. Images and stories of Jason and Molly’s time in Queenstown appeared on 20 online media outlets, including CNN, E!Online, The Examiner and People Magazine.
Also spotted in Queenstown was two-time Grammy Award winning musician Ben Harper, his wife Laura Dern and their two children. They were on vacation in early December 2009, following the artist’s concerts in Auckland and Christchurch.
Tyra Banks and the cast of America’s Next Top Model flew into Queenstown the same month to film an episode of the top rating show. On location near Glenorchy, Ms Banks and the cast were kept well hidden from prying eyes and camera lenses, but a glimpse was caught of the famous faces as they arrived at the airport.
In December, Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr, of Victoria Secrets fame – and girlfriend of actor Orlando Bloom – was also spotted in Queenstown, shopping in the downtown stores.
Since the summer, there have been no confirmed celebrity sightings, but if the number of private jets that have landed at the airport is anything to go by, there have been plenty of the rich and famous in town successfully keeping a low profile.
