Photography: Emily Chalk.
For the past 14 years, Megan and Andrew Papas have had lots of practice supporting each other through life’s big challenges. The couple has dealt with fertility issues, kept love alive long distance and learnt to thrive through the inevitable juggle that comes with raising two active young kids.
And as Woman’s Day catches up with Megan, 41, and hubby Andrew, 32, at their Auckland home, they’re preparing for another milestone – their son Bastian has just turned five and is starting school.
After throwing one of their epic family birthday celebrations – for which foodie and former café owner Andrew crafted a chocolate cake featuring his son’s favourite cartoon character, Sonic the Hedgehog – the couple is on the countdown to farewell gregarious “Basty” for his first day at primary.
“I’m sad because he’s my firstborn and my first baby to go to school,” says radio star Megan, who co-hosts the Breakfast show on The Hits alongside Jono Pryor and Ben Boyce.
“But he’s so ready for it and because he’s excited, I feel more relaxed.”
Milestone moments
As Andrew helps their daughter Aiya, three, onto her bike to take off after her big brother, while their cruisy 10-year-old dog Leo watches on, the musical theatre star admits he’ll have a wee cry when the time comes.
“I get so teary at everything,” he says.
“The other day in the car, we were talking about jobs and Basty said, ‘Dad’s a singer.’ I just felt really seen and started crying, but that happens multiple times a week! “I’m pragmatic, so I know I won’t cry when we’re doing drop-off, but in the lead-up and afterwards, there’ll be a few tears shed. But this is a big milestone and I know he’s got this! It’s what we’ve prepared him for.”
A little social butterfly
Sociable Basty has inherited his mum’s gift of the gab. Megan laughs, “When I was growing up, I remember my family saying I was a chatterbox. They’d have people over and I’d just want to talk to them all about my day – it’d drive them nuts! I don’t think they’re surprised I went into radio.”
But she says her son’s sweet and easy nature is all down to his dad, who met Nelson-born Megan when he was 18 and a member of boy band Titanium.
Just like his dad
“Andrew’s the most emotionally intelligent guy I’ve ever met and I knew that even when he was 18 or 19,” Megan enthuses.
“Now I can see that coming through in Basty. He’s so gentle.”
With an ability to talk to “anyone and everyone, even grown-ups”, Megan knows these traits will help her wee boy make new friends at school.
“My favourite thing about him is if we’re at the supermarket and he sees a sulking teenager walking the aisles, Basty will go up to say hi. I can see the teen totally relax and say hi back. He softens even the harshest critic.”
Balancing family and dreams
And while family life takes priority for the couple – who shared their romantic wedding with us eight years ago – they’re each doing whatever it takes to make sure they can both continue to live out their passions. With Megan up at 3.50am five days a week and Andrew currently in rehearsals from 10am to 6pm each day for the musical & Juliet, which opens next month, the pair works hard on scheduling and keeping their lines of communication open.
Admiring her drive
“I love that Megan shows up every day and gets shit done,” says Andrew.
“She’s still in breakfast radio and living out her passions, even though we now have kids. I find that very admirable because that’s why I fell in love with her in the first place.”
She has also recently found time to record a new podcast about her other great love, Formula 1 racing, with Glasgow-based actor Anthony Capaldi, brother of chart-topping singer Lewis.
“I’ve always been very much into motorsport because my family are petrolheads, so my dad used to take me to Bathurst,” grins Megan.
“But I’ve moved on from V8 Supercars because it’s quite bogan and doesn’t feel very welcoming for females, whereas F1 involves fashion – it’s a beautiful, bougie motorsport!”’
Complementary passions
The fact she’s doing a podcast on F1 while Andrew co-hosts a foodie podcast called Fork’s Sake with Suzanne Paul sums up how different but complementary they are, says Megan.
“In some ways, Andrew is so black and white. He doesn’t get emotional about decision-making, is a great businessman and he’s so driven, like more than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s exhausting! “I’m just in awe of the things he’s done. He’s travelled the world, been in a boy band, put music out, recorded a podcast and now he’s doing this musical. He’s just always on the go!”
Tour life
Playing Romeo in jukebox musical & Juliet will see Andrew performing in Auckland for almost a month, before travelling to Wellington and Christchurch for the show’s run. It means Megan will fly solo for the first two weeks he’s away, taking annual leave to look after Basty and Aiya. Then her parents will travel up from Nelson to be on mornings while Megan’s at work, until Andrew heads home in June.
“Andrew’s such a hands-on dad and he usually spends every morning with the kids, so they’re bound to miss him,” Megan reflects.
“But they know he’s rehearsing and doing a show.”
Andrew – who performed in the Madagascar musical in 2021, and toured Australia and New Zealand with the Ten Tenors in 2023 – is excited the kids are now at an age where he can take them to soundcheck or a dress rehearsal.
Teaching kids the value of passion
“They’re starting to get the concept of it all a little better.”
Megan continues, “We try to encourage the kids to be cheerleaders for Dad. Sometimes we can both feel a little guilty for pursuing our passions, but we want to show them that it’s important to chase your goals, and for Mum and Dad to be seen continuing to do what we love. We’re better people because we’re living out our dreams!”
& Juliet opens 9 April at Auckland’s The Civic, before heading to Wellington in May and Christchurch in June.
To book tickets, head to www.ticketmaster.co.nz/juliet-tickets .
Listen to Breakfast With Jono, Ben and Megan on The Hits from 6am weekdays. The Fork’s Sake podcast is available on iHeartRadio.
