Show Notes
Madeleine West joins Tak for a raw, funny and wide-ranging conversation about Neighbours, surviving a near-fatal accident, rebuilding her identity, stand-up comedy, advocacy and the landmark Survivors Law.
What we get into: * Motherhood and embracing the chaos * The landmark Survivors Law and why it matters * Speaking publicly about childhood sexual abuse and confronting her perpetrator * Landing Dee Bliss after just two days with an agent * Walking away from Neighbours at the height of her success * The bus accident that shattered her face and her sense of identity * Rebuilding a career beyond being “the soap girl” * Doing stand-up comedy while heavily pregnant * Dee’s wedding-day cliff plunge and one of Neighbours’ most iconic exits * Returning as Dee and evil twin Andrea * The physical tricks she used to switch between the twins * Why she could not return for Neighbours’ first finale * Playing Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire
just tak. is an interview platform dedicated to unmasking the reality of the creative industry. Hosted by Australian actor and presenter Takaya Honda, the show strips away the polished PR narratives to ask the most important question in performance: Why?
Support Just Tak on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/justtak
Promotion / Links: Follow Madeleine West https://www.instagram.com/msmadswest/
Survivors Law / access to offender superannuation: https://ministers.ag.gov.au/media-centre/transcripts/press-conference-parliament-house-canberra-25-03-2026
A Streetcar Named Desire - Bangalow Theatre Company: https://www.bangalowtheatre.com.au/
Sponsors: BeautyBoat.com: use code BIN25 for 25% off your entire order. https://beautyboat.com/ RØDE: thanks for the mics making us sound so good.
Support: If you’re having a tough time, please don’t struggle alone. Australia: Lifeline 13 11 14, 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention. Watch just tak on YouTube (and subscribe so you don't miss special live events).
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