Most Australians know Rebecca Gibney for her iconic acting roles in Packed To The Rafters or Wanted, but the New-Zealand born star had another career before she found acting.
The 57-year-old shared a rare throwback to her modelling days on Instagram on Wednesday, reminding long-time fans how she got her start in the ’80s and ’90s.
Posting a stunning photo of herself on the beach in a floating blue gown, Rebecca captioned it “Flashback, 1996 for Cleo Magazine”.
Launched in 1972 under Ita Buttrose’s direction, Cleo was one of Australia’s most well-loved women’s magazines until 2016, when it printed its final Australian edition.
Rebecca Gibney shared this stunning throwback from her days as a model.
(Image: Instagram)Naturally, Rebecca was a perfect fit for the mag, as she was fast becoming one of Australia’s favourite NZ imports in the ’90s and early 2000s.
But with her blonde hair pinned back and a pensive look on her face as she gazes out at the ocean, it’s hard to recognise the actress in her 26-year-old modelling photo.
But this isn’t the first time Rebecca has shared a peek into her glamorous past.
Fans have been treated to several throwback snaps on her Instagram, where she often mixes modelling shots from the ’80s and ’90s in with her family snaps and behind-the-scenes photos from her TV projects.
Rebecca’s old modelling shots range from glamorous to wild.
(Image: Instagram)Pictures from a wild shoot in the ’80s show the usually chic star sporting a teased hair-do and dramatic eye makeup.
“If only she knew then what she knows now…. TBT – photo shoot in the 80’s. Ah that hair – gets me every time,” she captioned the post in January.
Back in 2020 she even revealed she once competed in a beauty pageant – though only because her modelling agency at the time talked her into it.
Posting a photo of herself beaming with a very ‘of the time’ hairstyle and a pageant sash, Rebecca revealed the event wasn’t all glitz and glamour.
This photo was snapped during a pageant Rebecca took part in back in the ’80s.
(Image: Instagram)“Ok here’s your laugh for the week… [throwback] to when my modelling agency in the early 80’s convinced me to enter The Miss Kapiti Coast competition. As Miss Resilient Flooring. Seriously,” she penned.
“Seriously. The look on Ms Wardell’s face says it all…😒🤣”
Rebecca has long since left modelling behind, but there are a number of old photos of her in hilarious outfits and poses still floating around online.
The 57-year-old star clearly has a great sense of humour about them, though we have to agree that her styling – and hair – has definitely improved since the ’80s.
Rebecca has since left modelling but photos still float around the internet.
(Image: Getty)Now she puts most of her energy into her acting work and her role as a mum to son Zachary, 17, who left home to start his university career this week.
“First morning of Empty Nest…resisting the urge to call Wellington and make sure everyone looks out for Zac….😂😂😂” she joked on Instagram the morning after he left.
The beloved actress and her producer husband Richard Bell helped their son move to Wellington, New Zealand, where he will be studying at Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School.
