As the face for Video Hits First each Saturday and Sunday, Faustina ‘Fuzzy’ Agolley is fast emerging as one of Australia’s freshest and most exciting faces on music television. With a gravity defying afro and an eternal smile that’s made all the whiter thanks to her chocolate skin, the self-proclaimed ‘passive Aries’ has excellent access to the pop, rock and urban superstars of our time. From Fallout Boy to Ice Cube, The Presets, Mika and many more, Fuzzy has met with them, interviewed them and got into the nitty gritty of what makes these stars tick. Particularly, given such proximity to the crème de la crème of the mainstream music world both nationally and globally, Fuzzy has a special insight into the inner workings of what makes a star.
Such closeness to superstardom would surely rub off and infect the ‘normal person’, but Fuzzy is especially humble and her feet remain firmly on the ground. With the intriguing mix of Chinese-Malaysian and Ghanaian blood running through her veins, Fuzzy stands out from the crowd as original and unique. With M.I.A currently on replay on her iPod, a work ethic that looks at the daily grind as play, and as a lover of Tim Tams and a devotee of her family, Fuzzy is extremely friendly and laidback.
Even though she is a part of the entertainment circuit, she’s not really a huge party girl. Enjoying the odd alcoholic drink every now and then, Fuzzy is not a fan of the many after-parties that come with ‘the territory’. It is the reactions of the people around her – from the audiences to her workmates and her ‘current subjects’ – and the chance to delve into the unknown that gives her a charge. I get the picture that with Fuzzy; there is far more to this lady that meets the eye – something which many journalists around the country have failed to note for themselves.
Born in London, a move to Melbourne at just 20 months led to an idyllic childhood in Clayton. With a single mother working many odd hours as a nurse, Fuzzy was left under the care of her Chinese-Malaysian grandparents, who she acknowledges were quite an influence in her growing years. Memories recalled from the depths of her youth brings to mind her cavorting in amongst the chicken and rabbits in her garden, and fig, apricot and pear trees around her home. “I didn’t speak Chinese, and they spoke broken English,” she states to me, in-between sipping a glass of white wine. A rare occurrence indeed. “As a kid, I was cheeky and playful.”
From a young age, it is apparent that music played a significant part of Fuzzy’s life. At five, Fuzzy was “obsessed with Kylie. I often begged Mum to buy me tapes.” Her mum also bought her a microphone to plug into the stereo so ‘you were more audible’. “My auntie also tells me, a guy had a stereo on the beach and I went to it and danced along to it.” The thought of a little Fuzzy with her hair in braids and dancing to the music on the sand is a cute one, but Fuzzy also recalls being in “the back of Mum’s blue commodore – with no air conditioning – and listening to Hungry Eyes. I was obsessed with music,” Fuzzy relates to me. “I’d feel sorry for anyone who was around me, because I would listen to music over and over.” Even now that obsession with music hasn’t stopped, as she often wakes up at 3am with a song in her head, commanding her to listen to it right then and there.
Fuzzy acknowledges it was the hard work her mum put in that ensured she had plenty of opportunities. Considering herself as ‘an indulged child’, Fuzzy attended the Johnny Young Talent School on Saturday, and then mandarin classes on Sunday. Working with the Johnny Young Talent School led to acting in commercials and such TV shows as LiftOff, which of course meant her mother had to transport her around to those too. As a good catholic girl attending Melbourne’s exclusive Scared Heart private school, careers as a landscape architect, or in communications and TV production were definitely pondered over as Fuzzy chose to be the ‘black sheep’ in her medically inclined family.
With an in-depth love and interest in the environment and environmental issues, as well as a curiosity in getting to know “how the world works in so many ways”, Fuzzy eventually took on a double degree of Media and Communications and Geography at Melbourne University. “I got to a point where I stopped rebelling against the system and listened,” Fuzzy notes. She enjoyed chasing down parts of history and delving into the primary and raw sources at the State Library, and “the importance of research” resonates strongly within her. “I investigate, and question to investigate,” Fuzzy relates. “I appreciate the form of study. And as a result, I listened more, and read more.”
It was while at Big Day Out in 2003 that Fuzzy’s life path as “investigative researcher” surged towards it current climax. As a runner up in a competition with Jabba, Fuzzy left lasting impressions with the executive producer Ben Richardson. This led to covering dance events in Melbourne – including Two Tribes (“phat pants and elmo backpacks” Fuzzy reminisces affectionately) with Mike Kerry. In turn, this experience would lead to the dynamics of TV. After work experience with Channel V and landing a rather popular ad in McDonalds (“Theres three words every girl wants to hear – what’s in it?” Fuzzy promptly recalls laughing), it was while handing out showbags at the Girlfriend Model Search that led to Fuzzy being signed to Chic Management, eventually leading to the path of Wild TV. With then Wild TV co-presenter Chloe Maxwell wanting to make the transition to movies, the chance for a change came as Fuzzy was welcomed aboard.
I can actually recall being present at Fuzzy and Mike’s ‘first shot’ for Wild TV at Brisbane’s Family Nightclub, pre Ekka Holiday night 2005 (I might even recall, later in the evening, walking past The Valley’s best late night pizza eatery ‘New York Slice’ and observing Mike and Fuzzy placing an order). Thanks to Wild TV, Fuzzy got to work closely with Mike Kerry and editor Perry Childs, whom especially Fuzzy notes as the significant influence in dictating the energy of the show. Working in Wild TV also ensured she received insight into Australia’s clubbing and dance music arena, as well as establishing relations with the Stafford Brothers and Don Nadi – the team responsible for the music production on the show credits. The experience with Wild TV certainly honed her skills in front of the camera, as well as refining the necessary behind-the-scenes investigative research abilities.
When Wild TV ended, Fuzzy started on another of Mike Kerry’s ideas, CyberShack; a show dedicated to the gadgets that form up a part of our lifestyle. Touted as ‘model turned TV presenter’, many journalists caustically commented on Fuzzy’s inclusion in this show, seemingly oblivious to the fact that this young lady could be qualified or even intelligent. “I was pigeon holed,” Fuzzy notes. “I observed the bitchy side of journalism – and that was hard. People will criticise and often never question. Pigeon holing is a product of lazy journalism,” Fuzzy states firmly. “Signing up to Chic [Management] meant more opportunities for me with the potential appeal to a wide demographic. I just wanted to be accessible.”
After the rather spectacular resignation of Axle Whitehead in 2006, Video Hits decided to look for a change in direction, and contemplated a female host with ‘a healthy perspective’. “They were thinking that Video Hits could kick off with the Top 10 hits with a light hearted approach for kids.” When the call was sent out that Video Hits was looking for a presenter, it was arranged that Fuzzy would meet with Marketing Manager Grant Giles and Executive Producer Rachel Moor at Como Cafe. “I was so nervous the day before,” Fuzzy recalls. “I was sweating during the meeting. And the screen-test was cringe-worthy.” Fuzzy’s face screws up at the memory. “I came across nervous on camera. The pressure was on.” Obviously something clicked – the executives saw beyond the nervousness and took stock of Fuzzy’s previous experience and journalistic acumen; not to mention her striking looks and congenial character.
Now, with a year of shows under her stylish belt, Fuzzy has enjoyed, and will no doubt continue to enjoy her Video Hits experience. “I find Australian music extremely diverse,” Fuzzy relates, as she munches away on camembert cheese and crackers. You have The Presets – a sound that is so different, [a combination] of electro and rock. Then you have bands like The Living End and singers like Clare Bowditch on different parts of the spectrum. At the moment, it seems like the market is dominated by Australian indie rock, compared to the 90s when RnB and pop was all the rage. Australian urban music hasn’t taken off yet – but it’s so hard for Australia to relate to the gangster thing. Parklife is a good example of where Australia is heading. You don’t have to have the Grammy Award winning Top 20 song to be enjoyed and loved. People want lyrics that don’t put them into a situation they aren’t comfortable with and aren’t preached to.
“I feel that the world is getting smaller – an amalgamation of different groups. The relation of ideas is larger. Look at Wolfmother as an example – the first Grammy Award winner for an Australian band in many years. When I talk to the different artists coming in and out of Australia, it’s a desirable country to come to and learn new things about. We have diverse artists – very unique artists.” Something to be proud of.
Investigating, inquiring and observing are inherent traits that Fuzzy loves to put to great use, and Australia welcome those traits. Armed with her customary friendly smile and wooly afro, Fuzzy will no doubt continue to be front and centre on the camera for Channel Ten, leading the way with her friendliness and questing brain; asking the questions her audience want to know the answers to. With a future firmly intact in front of the camera whilst delving into the secrets and minds of our musical superstars, Faustina ‘Fuzzy’ Agolley is one lady the nation will continue to watch.
Lady Lex says...
Ruthykins - from our many discussions, she actually demonstrated she knows quite abit :) Perhaps you need to research a little bit more yourself before forming such a weak opinion. But do have a nice day! :)
Ruthykins says...
Yet she know's sh*t about music... If you are going to present a music show it really wouldn't take too much effort to do a little research.
primus says...
her interviews with guests are terrible. She bumbles her way through every single one of them, you'd think she had just shown up on the morning....