In 2014, almost four years ago, Erika Heynatz began work on the cult-classic stage production of The Rocky Horror Show.
Heynatz played Magenta, a loyal domestic slave to Frank N Furter, played by Gold Logie winner, Craig McLachlan.
Headlines at the time read, ‘McLachlan makes Rocky Horror an absolute pleasure,‘ and ‘Risque business as Craig McLachlan steals The Rocky Horror Show in Sydney‘.
That is not, however, the story the cast are telling as part of a major investigation by Fairfax Media and the ABC, that broke on Monday morning.
Heynatz, 42, is among those who have shared their unwanted encounters with 52-year-old McLachlan.
The model, singer, actress and television personality has been in the industry for more than two decades. She studied graphic art and design for three years before entering the fashion industry at 21. Heynatz began with what she jokingly calls, “food court fashion shows”, and before long ended up walking catwalks in Europe as well as being shot for catalogues in the Moroccan desert.
But Heynatz became a household name in 2005, when she was announced as the host of the first season of Australia’s Next Top Model. For two years she mentored young women, before handing over hosting duties to glamour model Jodhi Meares.
It was then that Heynatz decided to focus on her singing career, appearing on the 2006 Seven Network singing contest It Takes Two, which she eventually won.
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Her television and film career also skyrocketed, landing her first motion picture role in 2007 for Gabriel.
With almost two decades of experience, including musicals like Legally Blonde, Heynatz jumped when she heard whispers about auditions for The Rocky Horror Show. She’d been obsessed with the musical growing up – and knew this was an opportunity she absolutely had to land.
And, unsurprisingly, she did.
Alongside one of Australia’s leading musical performers, Christie Whelan Browne, actress Angela Scundi and Craig McLachlan – an actor, musician and composer with more than 30 years experience, Heynatz travelled around the country, receiving rave reviews.
But, according to Whelan Browne, Scundi and Heynatz, there was another story unfolding just out of view.