Aussie star's scathing response to shocking 'discovery' about her marriage: 'We are in crisis'

Australian author and former Today host Jessica Rowe has reacted to a shocking "discovery" she made about her marriage at the supermarket checkout. Rowe, a member of the Order of Australia for her work as a mental health advocate, has been married to Channel Nine journalist and news anchor Peter Overton for 20 years.

The Diary of a Crap Housewife author took to her TikTok account, @craphousewife, to share with her 150,000 followers the tabloid magazine cover she spotted at the supermarket recently which "revealed" that her marriage with Overton was in trouble. The Woman’s Day cover shows respective paparazzi photos of the couple looking distressed alongside the title: Pete and Jess in Crisis: Why She’s Standing By Him.

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“Look at what I learned when I was at the supermarket checkout today,” Rowe said in the opening of the facetious video, which has been viewed more than 40,000 times. “I was staring back at myself on the front of the magazine … According to the magazine, we are in crisis. I had to open the magazine to discover why I’m standing by Petey – let me tell you why.”

Jess Rowe explains why marriage is not 'in crisis'

She continued to joke about the “flattering photo” that the tabloid used, where she describes herself as “suitably puffy underneath the eyes”.

“I’m looking like I am in crisis,” Rowe said pointedly.

She then shows a photo of the full cover story, titled: Pete and Jess: This Won’t Break Us.

“What is going to break us?” Rowe posed. “It turns out, there’s this article all about possible changes to the news that really aren’t based on anything, just some anonymous quotes.”

At the video’s conclusion, she read the final quote provided in the “nonsensical article”.

“‘But whatever happens they’ll come through it all stronger than ever – that’s just the way they are’,” Rowe quoted. “Oh phew, I was reassured reading that standing at the supermarket line that Petey and I, we’re going to come through it. We’re not in crisis.”

Major staff changes at news networks

It comes after staffing changes at Nine Network and rumoured layoffs at competing network Seven News. Woman’s Day reported that an “industry insider” had revealed to the publication that Overton was “wondering if he might be next to get the flick or forced to have a co-anchor”. The newsreader has anchored Nine News Sydney for 15 years.

In response to the comedic video about these rumours, Rowe’s followers proceeded to flood her TikTok comments section with reactions.

“Sometimes you need a magazine to tell you how you’re feeling,” one commenter quipped.

“It’s like work gossip,” another said. “I generally need to ask people what is going on in my life that I don’t know is happening.”

“Hysterical,” a third wrote.

*“As soon as I saw this at the shops I cracked the s**s because I just knew it was LIES!” another commenter said. “Love you and Pete.”

Other followers also called for the author to share her husband’s reaction to the tabloid cover.

“Did you give Pete a signed copy?” one person joked.

“You should get Pete’s reaction as well,” a second commenter agreed.

“Is Petey aware of the news?” another wrote alongside a laughing emoji.

As a whole, Rowe’s followers praised her ability to laugh at the situation.

“So down to earth,” said one commenter.

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“This is hilarious, good on you,” another wrote.

“Gold!” a third said. “The commentary is hilarious.”

Rowe currently hosts the Listnr podcast The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show, where she has “heartfelt and honest conversations” with various Australian celebrities. Recent guests have included the likes of John Butler, Jules Robinson and Jelena Dokic.

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