We caught up with Sarah Harris, new co-host of The Project to share her vision for the show in 2023.
Congratulations Sarah! How do you feel to be stepping into your new hosting role on The Project?
All the feels! I’m so excited to be joining the incredible team at The Project but at the same time trying to temper my sadness at leaving Studio 10. It’s a show that I helped start and is older than my kids!
I have to say, it’s pretty daunting stepping into the shoes of a TV icon like Carrie Bickmore but everyone’s been so welcoming and I can’t wait to get started.
New faces always bring fresh perspectives and ways to what are you excited to bring to the role?
I’m super excited to bring a bit more looseness to the show and a different perspective shaped by my own experiences.
I come from pretty humble beginnings in western Sydney and now I’m a single mum who’s doing her best to raise two boys while juggling a very big job. I’m a bit of an open book and wear my heart on my sleeve, but I’m also very practical and sensible about a lot of things. It’ll be interesting to see how some of the debates play out!
What challenges do you think you will face in this role?
The Project is a show that gets a lot of headlines which is a little overwhelming, but Waleed’s already given me some great advice: don’t read the press (whether it’s good or bad) and definitely don’t read the comments.
As a journalist with more than 25 years’ experience, what do you love most about telling stories? What drives you?
It’s an enormous privilege for someone to trust you with their story and something I never take for granted. I’m genuinely fascinated by people and what makes them tick.
What does The Project do better than other news programs?
There’s a reason why The Project has won a stack of Logies. It’s a slick and creative show that gets people talking. I love that it goes beyond the headlines and delves deeper into big stories. I’m looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into many meaty issues.
Does being a mother influence the stories you cover and the way you tell them?
Being a mum has probably made me a bit more soft-hearted and emotional and I’m not afraid of showing that on air (yes, I’ve ugly cried on TV before). I definitely hug my kids a lot harder after reporting traumatic events.
Your anchor role on The Project has the potential to lead key community conversations on important issues. What causes or issues are close to your heart and you would like to be able to talk about?
There are plenty of issues I’m passionate about but I’m not coming to The Project with a personal agenda other than to tell the stories that are most important to our viewers. We want to connect with Aussies from all walks of life and all sides of politics so we can generate smart and thought-provoking conversations.
What can viewers expect from an all new The Project in 2023?
New perspectives, a couple of new faces and a bit more fun! We hope you can join us!
