Photography: Matt Klitscher.
From belting out Christina Aguilera in the car to subjecting their family to endless performances in the lounge, actress Liv Parker and her comedian big brother Chris were always the stars of their Christchurch home as kids.
“Chris would direct the shows and I would be the main character, then we’d force our siblings and parents to watch,” laughs the Celebrity Treasure Island contestant, 30.
“My sister was like, ‘They’ve been doing this for two hours. I’m going insane!’”
But their relentless passion for performing has paid off – Chris, 35, has gone on to write and star in theatre, comedy tours and TV shows, such as Funny Girls and Doubled Parked, while Liv has appeared in Wellington Paranormal, Creamerie and Feelings Club.
Now she’s followed Chris on to CTI, where the award-winning comedian triumphed in 2021 – and Liv reckons it’s her brother encouraging her to move to Auckland almost a decade ago that put her on the path to reality TV stardom.
The call that changed everything
Back in 2017, Liv was fresh out of drama school, working at a Chipmunks kids’ party venue and stumped about what to do next when Chris called to suggest they work together. The show they created, Sibs, was the catalyst for Liv to leave her hometown.
“I knew I had to move to Auckland, but was scared to make that leap,” she tells Woman’s Day.
“Then I visited for an audition and Chris picked me up at the airport. He said, ‘Let’s make a show,’ which front-footed me being brave and introduced me to the city.”
Of course, that courage went to a whole new level when it came to CTI. Liv had proudly watched Chris win the series and adored how viewers got to see a new side of her brother.
Chris’ survival tips for CTI
“I loved New Zealand seeing him the way I always have,” she enthuses.
“He’s a champion of people, he’s the best gossiper and he gives the best advice, so he’s the perfect castmate. And he’s really determined, which is something I’ve learnt from him.”
After Liv signed on to the show because it “terrified” her, Chris was the first to give her some warm wardrobe tips.
“He said to have clean, dry socks when you sleep, and make sure they live in your bed and never leave because sand in socks when you sleep is sad! But the main advice he gave was to embrace the moments. He said, ‘You’ll never get an opportunity like this again, so be present, be yourself and try not to overthink.’”
Liv’s battle with anxiety and self-doubt
Having too much of an active mind is one of Liv’s biggest hurdles. Having long battled anxiety, she was born with a thyroid condition that aggravates her struggles.
“When someone is too high with their [thyroid] hormone levels, one of the symptoms is becoming anxious. Getting my levels right is constantly something to navigate, so my body’s quite sensitive to change. Every single day of my life, I’ve taken meds and it’s fine, but anxiety and overthinking are part of this condition.”
Liv also battles impostor syndrome, which was alive and well during her time on CTI alongside people she admires, like rugby legend Frank Bunce and beloved broadcaster Polly Gillespie. Hilariously, she recalls time spent sitting on the loo at her family home, reading Polly’s advice column in Woman’s Day.
Why Chris is still Liv’s biggest supporter
“This might be TMI, but we would have magazine stacks in the bathroom. I’d be reading Ask Polly on the toilet, so when I saw her, I was fangirling. It was nuts!”
And the love is mutual, with Polly commenting that Liv is a “one-in-a-billion precious diamond” on Instagram. Alongside CTI, Liv is currently starring in the Silo Theatre production of Playfight in Auckland and she’s in a relationship with partner Dallas Waltham, whom she met doing Stage Challenge.
The moment Liv knew she wanted to perform
She recalls, “That was one of the things that made me go, ‘I really want to be a performer.’ My sister won and I had full- body shivers watching her. I was like, ‘This is art!’”
Finding love was a bonus. She and Dallas have now been together for 10 years, surviving periods of long-distance before he decided to join her in Auckland. Meanwhile, big brother Chris remains a key supporter, but Liv says any pressure to live up to his amazing career is eclipsed by their close bond.
She grins, “We’re best mates. He’s like a mentor and confidant. We’re not competitive. We can just have a laugh together. And as soon as I get a job, he’s the first person I call, so I feel really lucky.”
Celebrity Treasure Island screens 7.30pm Monday to Wednesday on TVNZ 2 and streams on TVNZ+.
Playfight is on now at Auckland’s Silo Theatre. For tickets, visit silotheatre.co.nz.
