Sunday 20 November 2022 09:14 PM Lisa Wilkinson's daughter breaks silence on her exit from The Project trends now
Lisa Wilkinson's journalist daughter has said she is 'so proud' of her famous mother after she announced she was quitting The Project on Sunday night.
Billi FitzSimons, 25, reacted to her mum's on-air resignation on Instagram Stories by reposting footage of Wilkinson, 62, signing off for the last time.
'So proud,' wrote FitzSimons, a former Mamamia writer who was recently appointed as editor of youth news website The Daily Aus.
Lisa Wilkinson's (left) journalist daughter Billi FitzSimons (right) has said she is 'so proud' of her famous mother after she announced she was quitting The Project on Sunday night
She added a crying-face and heart emoji.
Wilkinson announced she was quitting The Project at the end of Sunday's episode, leaving viewers stunned.
'I have decided it's time to reprioritise a few things in my life,' the TV veteran began alongside co-hosts Hamish Macdonald and Laura Byrne.
'And after almost 15 years of the early alarm of breakfast TV, and now another five years here at The Project desk, I'm looking at how I want the coming years to play out both professionally and personally,' she added.
'So, from tonight, I am stepping back from hosting the show.
FitzSimons, 25, reacted to her mum's on-air resignation on Instagram Stories by reposting footage of Wilkinson, 62, signing off for the last time
'Sitting at this desk and working with this incredible team - both in front of and behind the camera - has been an absolute privilege.
'These people are genuinely are some of the most talented and decent humans I know.
'And you, our passionate, engaged audience, have been so kind in making me feel so welcome in your homes. I've had a ball, but for me, right now, it's time for a change.'
Wilkinson went on to explain that she was not leaving Channel 10 and was 'looking at some exciting work ideas ahead'.
Wilkinson, 62, announced she was quitting The Project at the end of Sunday night's episode, leaving viewers stunned
'I have to be honest with you. The last six months have not been easy, and the relentless targeted toxicity in the media has taken a toll. Not just on me, but on people I love,' she said
'But I have to be honest with you. The last six months have not been easy, and the relentless targeted toxicity in the media has taken a toll. Not just on me, but on people I love,' Wilkinson said.
'Don't get me wrong, I'm not above criticism, far from it. I'm human, and I don't always get it right, none of us do, but by God I've tried.
'I've given this job everything I have, and I hope you at home know that. I hope I've brought you stories that matter and introduced you to people whose lives and experiences might have otherwise never been told, and helped bring into focus issues that deserve our collective attention.
'So to everyone who has been so incredibly supportive and reached out, particularly in recent months, thank you. You'll never know how much it has meant to me.'
Wilkinson (right, with Hamish Macdonald) went on to explain that she was not leaving Channel 10 and was 'looking at some exciting work ideas ahead'
Wilkinson concluded: 'I especially want to thank [media executive] Peter Meakin here at The Project, the wise old owl of news and current affairs in this country, who has been such an unwavering and generous supporter and mentor of mine right across my time in TV, just as he has been for so many others.
'And finally to Leigh Sales, Tracy Grimshaw, and Carrie Bickmore: if you guys are up for a drink, I'll see you at the bar. The margaritas are on me.'
Macdonald praised Wilkinson for making the difficult decision to leave.
Macdonald praised Wilkinson for making the difficult decision to leave. 'I know being your colleague and friend for some years now, that this is the right decision for you and your family at this point in time,' he said
'There's been days this year, particularly in the last six months, where I think you've taught all of us a lesson here in what resolve and tenacity is,' he added while holding Wilkinson's hand
'I know being your colleague and friend for some years now, that this is the right decision for you and your family at this point in time,' he said while holding Wilkinson's hand.
'There have been days this year, particularly in the last six months, where I think you've taught all of us a lesson here in what resolve and tenacity is. And you've turned up on camera even on days where, you know, it's been tough.
'So I understand how we have ended up here. I know everyone here is a bit shocked by this, and there are many colleagues that will want to send you off with their love.
The exit follows a controversial year for Wilkinson, during which she was taken off air after her disastrous Logies speech that resulted in a rape trial being delayed. (Pictured at the Logies)
'They're probably learning about this right now along with all of you at home and so I want to say from all of us here at The Project and at Ten, thank you very much because you have put all that you have into this.
'You work like a bloody horse. It's unbelievable.'
Macdonald concluded with the promise that Wilkinson may return to The Project in the future.
'Have a great long break, as long as you need. We'll see you back here when you're ready,' he said.
Wilkinson's advocacy-tinged journalism landed her in hot water when she spoke of an upcoming court case while accepting an award at the Logies on June 19 (pictured)
Wilkinson won the Gold Logie for her sit-down interview with Brittany Higgins (right), in which the ex-Liberal staffer alleged she was raped by her colleague Bruce Lehrmann in a minister's office during 2019
The exit follows a controversial year for Wilkinson, during which she was taken off air after her disastrous Logies speech that resulted in a rape trial being delayed.
Wilkinson won the Gold Logie for her sit-down interview with Brittany Higgins, in which the ex-Liberal staffer alleged she was raped by her colleague Bruce Lehrmann in a minister's office in 2019.
The original trial date was slated for June 27 but in the aftermath of Wilkinson's acceptance speech, a judge delayed the high-profile case ruling it would be 'unfair' to continue among the public commentary surrounding the case.
The trial was delayed until October as a result.
Wilkinson made an unexpected return to the live panel in July (pictured with Rachel Corbett). Her return was a 'last-minute' decision, insiders told The Australian, leaving many industry figures blindsided as previous reports indicated she wouldn't be back on air until August
While The Project star copped a wave of public
