‘I’m not fake’: Georgie Gardner lifts lid on Stefanovic Uber scandal

They have to work together every day in very close proximity, so when claims of Karl Stefanovic venting his frustrations over co-star Georgie Gardner in an Uber went public, it undoubtedly led to tensions.

However, while Georgie has kept a dignified silence over the scandal, she’s now lifted the lid on how she copes with nasty comments from either her fellow stars or viewers, in an exclusive chat with Starts at 60.

In a phone call, overheard by an Uber taxi driver who later sold his story to a magazine, Karl was reportedly heard slamming Georgie and accusing her of “sitting on the fence” and not having enough opinions on the Today show.

Appearing on the Logie Awards red carpet alongside Karl – as the event arrived at its stunning new venue on the Gold Coast for the first year – Georgie appeared to have put any differences to bed for the sake of the show, but when asked how she feels about Uber-gate now, she said: “It’s done now, enough said.”

Asked if she lets rude or mean comments like Karl’s get to her, Georgie added: “No, I don’t let it get to me. I figure I can only be true to myself. I completely understand in a job like that that it’s not going to appeal to everyone, but I stand by what I do, wear, and try not to be too phased by it and just focus on the job.”

Read more: Peter Stefanovik says Karl was hurt by negative media attention

It’s not the only time the pair have clashed, and they regularly go head to head live on air over current affairs and debates. But while many may think the rivalry is put on for the show, Georgie insisted it’s all real on her part.

“Do you know I could be accused of a lot of things, but there’s one thing I’m not – I’m not fake,” she insisted. “What you see on camera is totally authentic, certainly on my part, and I’ll leave it to the audience to judge if that’s good, bad or indifferent.”

Karl previously admitted there are still tensions between the pair following his insults, and he previously told Hughsey and Kate on their radio show: “I thought she was going to hit me,” before adding: “It could have been a lot worse.”

The pair didn’t escape scot-free inside the Logies ceremony either, as Hughsey took aim at Karl over his comments in his hilarious speech, saying: “Karl it’s okay, you shouldn’t have been bitching about your work colleagues, I’m sure Georgie’s very happy with it… Still on the fence Georgie or did you take a pail off and hit him in the head with it? Can you imagine Karl and his brother in the bunk beds at home as kids just talking smack about Mum? She’s outside the door going, ‘I can hear you d***heads.”

Meanwhile, Georgie stole the show on the Logies red carpet in a black gown beautifully decorated with floral embroidery. She was there to support not only her show, but also Channel Nine colleague Tracey Grimshaw, who was up against Amanda Keller and several others for the Gold Logie. In the end, Grant Denyer went home with the prize.

Read more: Dave Hughes takes aim at Joyce, Burke, Stefanovic in Logies speech

“It’s so good to see these accomplished, real women who are so deserving of accolades like this,” Georgie added of both Tracey and Amanda. “It’s a lovely tribute and it’s so reassuring for women my age – not that they’re that much older – to know that you can still be hitting your straps well into your 50s.

“They’re both extraordinarily talented women, but what I love about both of them is they’re incredibly down to earth. Very real and very authentic.”

Are you a fan of Georgie’s? Do you think she handled the Uber scandal well?