Shortland Street stunner Courtenay Louise celebrated her 30th birthday with a small but star-studded gathering in Auckland, with guests including castmates Rebekah Randell, Theo Dāvid and Carlos Muller, her Celebrity Treasure Island co-stars Alex King and Iyia Liu, plus her husband-to-be Chris Read.
“I always have a lot more fun if it’s more intimate, instead of throwing a big bash,” the actress tells. “My highlight was when everyone sang Happy Birthday and I cut the cake. I tried to do a big meaningful speech, but I lose my voice so easily and it was gone by that stage, so I sounded like I’d been smoking a pack of cigarettes a day!
“Then we all piled up on the rooftop to watch the sunset and dance, which was pretty wild – we were laughing and hoping the roof didn’t collapse!”
Of the milestone birthday, Courtenay adds, “I’m excited about turning 30. For so many years, I’ve feared growing older as this industry can be terrifying for women over that age, but I’m going to embrace the hell out of it! I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved and who I am.”
Set to tie the knot early next year, Courtenay says her goal is “to be happy, be more grateful and hopefully have children”.
