Peter Stefanovik says Karl was hurt by negative media attention

Weekend Today host Peter Stefanovik has thrown his support behind big brother Karl, and insisted they’re both uncomfortable with the amount of media attention surrounding their private lives. 

Speaking on news.com.au’s podcast series Balls Deep, the journalist revealed how difficult the extensive media attention has been on not only Karl’s life but the rest of the Stefanovic family. 

Karl, who broke off his 21-year marriage to Cassandra Thorburn in September 2016, was thrust into the spotlight five months later when he was spotted kissing model and shoe designer, Jasmine Yarbrough, who is nine years his junior. 

The Today Show host received a flurry of negative media attention, which according to Peter, created a “certain appeal” to the family name. During the wide-ranging chat on the podcast, Peter said he is happy for Karl, and commended him for keeping a level head throughout the turbulent period in his personal life. 

“He is in new territory really, he handles it (media attention) really well, he doesn’t Kanye, he doesn’t lash out.. he hasn’t had a meltdown yet, as much as he’s probably felt like doing that,” Peter said.

“If someone is hurting you hurt with them, he is battling away but he seems happy, work is going well for him and his new relationship is obviously going really well.

“Let’s hope that his kids are alright, they seem to be.”

Karl and Jasmine, who have been together for over a year, have not shied away from the spotlight, regularly taking to social media with happy couple snaps.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BioIh6ZF-HU/?taken-by=karlstefanovic_

Both of the Stefanovik brothers came under fire earlier this year when they were caught ragging on their colleagues during a car ride home in an Uber, during which the pair openly attacked fellow Channel Nine presenters Richard Wilkins, Georgie Gardner and Mark Burrows.

The Uber driver sold his recollection of the call between the brothers to New Idea, which claimed Karl accused Georgie of “sitting on the fence” too much and entertainment reporter Richard of being “overly protective of his patch”.

During the call, Peter was reportedly heard complaining that producers at 60 Minutes weren’t supportive enough of his story ideas.

Do you have any sympathy for Karl Stefanovik? Are you a fan of the Stefovic brothers?