Yahoo Lifestyle 
The Wiggles' Tsehay Hawkins reveals hidden detail in iconic costume
EXCLUSIVE: The youngest Wiggle opens up about breaking stereotypes in the group.
Not only did Emma Watkins make history in 2013 when she became the first female member of The Wiggles, but she was also the first Wiggle to wear a skirt. The children’s entertainer revealed in the group’s 2023 documentary Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles that it was a no-brainer for her to make a slight tweak to the iconic yellow costume to make it feel “natural” to her.
“Being the first female at that time, it was taboo. And for me to wear a skirt and a bow and be dancey, people felt that that was being forced upon me in a way that was out of my control,” she shared. “But when Anthony [Field] had asked me what I wanted to wear, I was like, ‘Oh, it's got to be a skirt, it’s got to be a bow’.”
While some people argued at the time that “Wiggles can’t be girls” and they shouldn’t change their outfits, Emma’s skirt-wearing legacy continued with Evie Ferris, Caterina Mete and Lucia Field. However, Tsehay Hawkins changed the game when she became the first female Wiggle to wear pants.
Although it may seem like a trivial detail in 2024, the 18-year-old performer tells Yahoo Lifestyle she’s proud to challenge stereotypes and typical gender roles with her outfit choice.
“It was a very big deal when Emma did it because it had been originally four guys. They all wore pants and it was beautiful because she could show that you can be a bit more girly and you can be more flamboyant with your skirts,” she details.
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“I think wearing pants, it means girls and boys can relate to it as well. Boys can wear skirts too if they want - we definitely have boys coming to the shows in skirts which is beautiful as well. But I think it's kind of cool to see little ones wearing flared pants. It breaks the stereotype of little girls always having to wear dresses or skirts.
“I don't think that really came into play when I decided to wear it, but once I did, I realised the impact made. When Anthony asked me, ‘What would you like to wear?’, I was like, ‘Oh pants for sure’. And I love all the girls, the girls look so pretty in their skirts, but yeah, I'm more of a pants girly.”
Tsehay opens up about 'emotional' fan encounters
Since officially joining The Wiggles in 2021, Tsehay says she has had plenty of “beautiful” interactions with young fans who are thrilled to see someone like themselves represented on stage.
“I see Ethiopian children and they've been like, ‘Are you Ethiopian?’ and I’m like, ‘I am!’,” she recalls. “We’ve got the same hair and they're dressed in the exact same outfit and they're screaming and jumping up and down. That's so cute, and it kind of makes me a little emotional.
“I love when we get to do meet and greets. Sometimes it's all so much excitement, sometimes the little one is just balling their eyes out because they can't comprehend that we're actually people. It's a very lovely experience, I love that.”
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It was recently announced that The Wiggles will be touring across Australia in November and December this year with a brand-new version of their ARIA award-winning live act, Wiggle & Learn BIG SHOW. The tour coincides with the release of the group’s 100th album of music for children and will see all eight members jumping in the Big Red Car.
“I think live shows are definitely my favourite part of being a Wiggle because you actually get to perform, you get to sing, you get to dance, and you also get to see the audience live. So you can watch their reactions and you feed off the audience's energy,” Tsehay says.
“I love touring with The Wiggles, they’re the best. It's a great family on the road so I love it.”
Learn more about The Wiggles’ Wiggle & Learn BIG SHOW here.
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