Society Insider: Lorraine Downes and daughter rule the runway at NZFW; League legend Richie Barnett’s daughter dancing around the world

Jasmine Mexted is modelling at Red11. Photo / Neil Gussey

Although her mother has modelled, owned a modelling agency and, after a long career in fashion, returned to modelling at age 60 last year, Mexted initially chose dance as her career.

“Both of my parents are driven, creative, loving and supportive, and have always allowed me to be myself,” Mexted tells Society Insider.

Mexted and Downes walked in Fashion Week’s opening show, The Art of Style on Monday night. Last night, the pair modelled for Karen Walker, and tomorrow they will both walk in Fashion for a Cure.

“It’s so special to model with Mum; we have such a close relationship, and this is an awesome new experience that we get to share.

“She has a wealth of knowledge and gives me tips, sure, but she also allows me to learn and grow on my own.”

Jasmine Mexted and Lorraine Downes posed for a selfie at NZ Fashion Week on Monday night. Photo / Instagram @jasmine_mexted

After 12 years living in Melbourne, where she studied and became a professional dancer, followed by two years in the UK and Europe, Mexted moved home in June after spending two months travelling through Southeast Asia.

Mexted did her first modelling job, an advertorial for Karen Walker, last November, while home on a short trip.

Jasmine Mexted’s first modelling job was for Karen Walker last November. Photo / Mikhail Gherman

“When I arrived home in June, I was eager to keep going with modelling; it felt like the right time to pursue it.

“I really enjoy it; I keep saying, when I model, I get the same feeling I did when I danced on stage. It’s a rush, and I like using my body and connecting to it.”

Jasmine Mexted dancing professionally on a cruise ship.

Mexted is living with Downes in Devonport and says one of her first ports of call was top agency Red11, who also represents Downes.

She had an interview with Red11 founder Mandy Jacobsen, and says the fit felt right.

“I had a test shoot with [legendary photographer] Monty Adams to get some pictures for my portfolio, and the following week was NZ Fashion Week casting.”

Jasmine Mexted has turned to modelling after a career in dance. Photo / Monty Adams Jasmine Mexted was recently signed with Red11. Photo / Monty Adams

Mexted walked for Fashion Week’s Khadi Beyond Borders show on Tuesday; yesterday, The Studio; today she will walk for Kāhui Collective, and this weekend, she will walk in both Viva Greatest Hits shows.

Jacobsen says Mexted has an incredible presence and a great energy about her.

“It’s no surprise that Fashion Week has been quick to get Jasmine on the runway,” says Jacobsen.

“With her experience, attitude, and versatility, we see huge potential for Jasmine and are thrilled to have her as part of the Red11 family… we see great opportunities to support Jasmine in multiple areas of the industry.”

Jasmine Mexted is modelling at Red11. Photo / Neil Gussey

Mexted says physically she is a mix of both her mum and her Wellington-based dad.

“I have Dad’s height and legs and the Mexted eyes, but I have the same smile as Mum and definitely her nose.

“It’s funny, depending on the haircut, I can look more like one than the other.”

Former All Black Murray Mexted, pictured in 2006. Photo / Mark MitchellLorraine Downes and Murray Mexted on their wedding day in 1986.

Mexted says she always had long hair – until the morning of her 22nd birthday, when she chopped it off to her shoulders.

“After that I’ve slowly been going shorter and shorter until I buzzed it all off last year.

“I always wanted to do it. It was summer, I was in Europe, and it was very hot, so it seemed like the perfect time.”

She says she bleached “the buzz blonde”, which was fun for a while.

“Now I’ve let it grow out a bit and plan on keeping it where it is for the foreseeable… although who knows. I love changing up my hairstyle; I find it freeing and fun.”

Mexted and Downes fulfilled a lifelong dream last year, when they holidayed together in Paris. These days, the pair are enjoying living together in Devonport.

She says she has already found her Auckland rhythm and loves Devonport and Parnell, and catching the ferry.

Mexted is also DJing around the traps in Auckland and working part-time at Tango Vintage in Parnell.

“I am still adjusting to my new life here, so I’m grateful to be spending my time creatively, and catching up with family.”

Jasmine Mexted, before she chopped her hair, with her mum Lorraine Downes. Photo / @jasmine_mexted

In the UK, Mexted started online vintage fashion shop @moda.andme and intends to launch it here soon.

“When I was in Europe, I made some wonderful contacts and sourced a whole heap of stock, which I’m excited to share when the time comes,” says Mexted.

“I’m passionate about vintage clothing – the fabric, the way garments were designed and manufactured.”

Maddy Barnett on dancing for Rihanna, dining with popstars, and love and life in LA

The Barnett family, from left Jay, Carrie, Maddy and Richie.

Los Angeles-based Kiwi dancing star Maddy (Maddison) Barnett, the daughter of league legend Richie Barnett, has danced for the biggest pop stars in the world. Now, she’s turning to choreography, after a soon-to-be-announced “tour of her career” that she says will fill up the rest of her year.

Maddy, 25, has lived in Los Angeles for four years, and lives in NoHo (North Hollywood) with her boyfriend of six years, Michigan-raised dancer Dayne Sempert. The pair met when they were 19, in Taiwan, working on singer Jolin Tsai’s Ugly Beauty tour.

Maddy Barnett and boyfriend Dayne Sempert met in Taiwan when they were 19.

Throughout her career, Maddy has worked with a raft of international pop stars, including Justin Bieber, Rihanna and Tinashe; Latin stars Jennifer Lopez, J Balvin, Karol G and Bad Bunny; and country star Lainey Wilson, as well as girl group XG.

Maddy Barnett,(left) with pop super star Jenifer Lopez, (centre). Maddy Barnett dancing beside country singer Lainey Wilson. Photo / @maddie_barnett

“With Dayne’s classical training mixed with his hip-hop skills, he is definitely my favourite dancer I have ever witnessed,” Maddy tells Society Insider. “He is such a huge part of my career and success.”

She says it was love at first sight for the pair in Taiwan. The following year, they reunited on tour, and Maddy followed it up with a three-month stint in LA with Sempert.

“I didn’t get to see him for eight months after that trip, until I was officially and legally allowed to move to America.”

Since moving to NoHo, the pair have enjoyed working together, touring North America with K-pop sensation BlackPink, and later, performing on their global tour last year.

Maddy Barnett and Dayne Sempert enjoy dinners out together in North Hollywood.

Maddy has danced since age 6. At 12, she sharpened her skills with Kiwi megastar choreographer Parris Goebel and The Royal Family. At 17, she became a freelance dancer internationally.

Maddy’s father Richie says: “Even as a little girl, Maddy had something special about her – charismatic, vibrant, energetic, always a go-getter, setting goals before most kids knew what that meant. You could just tell she was going to be something one day.

Richie Barnett.

“I’m incredibly proud of the courage it took for her to leave New Zealand and build a life in LA, chasing her dreams as a dancer and choreographer.

“But being on the world’s biggest stages isn’t what makes me proudest — it’s who she’s become. She’s held onto her values since she was young: hard-working, goal-oriented, self-aware, empathetic, tough, resilient.”

Maddy Barnett is a star dancer in Los Angeles.

In between dancing in pop videos, arena tours, awards ceremonies and sports stadiums, Maddy says she has begun teaching and choreographing, teaching two classes a week.

“As I move into choreography, I would love to work with girl groups, as I have passion and experience there.

Professional dancer Maddy Barnett is also moving her career towards choreography.

“I would also love to work for Canadian singer-songwriter and dancer Tate McRae, and Swedish singer-songwriter and dancer Zara Larsson.”

Maddy has performed at the VMAs, iHeartRadio Music Awards, MAMA Awards and Academy of Country Music Awards, and at festivals such as Coachella and Rock in Rio.

Maddy Barnett at the Academy Country Awards in May.

“Any awards show is insane, because the audience is just filled with your favourite celebrities,” she says.

In June, Barnett danced alongside Lisa (of BlackPink), Anitta and Rema, at the opening ceremony of the Fifa World Cup at SoFi Stadium in LA; in 2023, she danced for Rihanna at the Super Bowl in Arizona; and in 2022, just after moving to LA, Barnett danced for Latin megastar J Balvin at the NFL Kickoff in Long Beach.

Maddy Barnett, left, dances for BlackPink’s Lisa, right, at the Fifa World Cup opening in Los Angeles. Photo / @maddie_barnett

Even though as a child she watched her league legend dad in plenty of matches, her dad is yet to see her dance live in a stadium.

“That’s next on his list,” says Barnett.

“My mother Carrie and grandmother Norma came to Madrid in Spain to watch me in Karol G’s final shows for the Mañana Será Bonito Tour.

“Although my dad was a successful rugby league player and inspired me with visualising and always doing everything 100%, both of my parents played a massive role in the success of my career – they are both so hard-working and open-minded.

“It was my mum who took me to dance rehearsals; I grew up with lots of discipline, valuing respect and honesty.”

Maddy and Richie Barnett in Auckland. Maddy and Carrie Barnett in Mexico.

“She’s never been swayed by fame or others’ opinions,” dad Richie says. “I remember her as a teenager writing her goals down on paper, watching them crystallise into real results over time.

“A lot of that comes from a mother who’s always balanced pushing her to fulfil her potential with unwavering support.”

Maddy says both her parents have met Sempert and approve. The first meeting was in New Zealand in 2022, then in LA in 2023, after which they enjoyed a Mexican holiday together.

“Being from Michigan makes Dayne down-to-earth, very much like us Kiwis,” says Maddy.

She says she and Sempert live an idyllic yet frantic life in the dance and arts precinct of NoHo, where most of their rehearsals take place.

“Dayne and I love to find cool restaurants and treat ourselves to a nice dinner.”

Barnett says she works and hangs out with a raft of “inspiring Kiwi dancers”.

As a key part of her success in Hollywood, Barnett credits globally recognised Kiwi choreographer and movement director Kiel Tutin, who she says is like family.

She is proud to be a Māori dancer, and credits the culture of New Zealand’s dance scene – as well as the competitions she took part in with The Royal Family growing up — for the awareness and discipline she carries today.

Party people of the week

Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant Premiere

Local sci-fi comedy Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant had its New Zealand premiere earlier this month at the Whanau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival at The Civic.

Cast and crew came together with festival audiences to celebrate the film, which stars Hannah Lynch, Arlo Green, Yvette Parsons and Jackie van Beek. Directing duo Sean Wallace and Jordan Mark Windsor, known as Thunderlips, introduced the film alongside producers Morgan Leigh Stewart, Alix Whittaker and Ilai Amar.

Jackie van Beek, Hannah Lynch and Yvette Parsons. Photo / Jinki Cambronero Arlo Green and Hannah Lynch. Photo / Jinki Cambronero Sean Wallace and Mary Poor. Photo / Jinki Cambronero Morgan Leigh Stewart, Alix Whittaker and Ilai Amar. Photo / Jinki Cambronero Alison Plazanet and Sash Samaratunga. Photo / Jinki Cambronero Tanya Dickey, Shamin Yazdani, Sandani Wijetunge and Delphine Gesché. Photo / Jinki Cambronero Rosetta Stone and Milly Smyth. Photo / Jinki Cambronero Bayley Broome-Peake, Jess Fransham and Ainsley Calderwood. Photo / Jinki Cambronero

Kiri & Lou Go Raaa!

Kiri & Lou Go Raaa! had its Auckland premiere at The Civic recently, to a lively audience of families and children.

Cast, crew and writer-director Harry Sinclair were joined by Olivia Tennet, Josh Thompson, Rima Te Wiata and Morgana O’Reilly for the screening of the film, which is New Zealand’s first feature-length stop-motion animation.

Other guests included producer Fiona Copland, New Zealand Film Commission CEO Annie Murray, media personalities Erin Simpson and Zac Franich, broadcaster Melissa Chan Green, and actor Esther Stephens.

Josh Thompson, Morgana O’Reilly, Olivia Tennet and Harry Sinclair. Photo / Robert Trathen Fiona Copland and Annie Murray at The Civic. Photo / Robert Trathen Zac Franich and Erin Simpson, with their sons Harrison and Harley. Photo / Robert Trathen Esther Stephens and her son Jake at The Civic. Photo / Robert Trathen Melissa Chan-Green with her children Busby and Mabel. Photo / Robert Trathen Hannah Gropper and Cassidy Joan Mossop. Photo / Robert Trathen

Ricardo Simich has been with the Herald since 2008 where he contributed to The Business Insider. In 2012 he took over Spy at the Herald on Sunday, which has since evolved into Society Insider. The weekly column gives a glimpse into the worlds of the rich and famous.