Lisa Curry is living life to the full since her brush with death and marriage split. She’s left one toyboy for another who’s even younger! Jonica Bray reports.
Lisa Curry is firmly in the driving seat in her latest love affair with a hunk two decades her junior. And friends say she loves being back in control after the heartbreak of her marriage split with Grant Kenny.
Her new man is 28-year-old musician Joel Walkenhorst.
Two weeks ago the couple proclaimed their love to the world as they played on a jet ski in the waters off Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast. They are rarely apart as Lisa, 47, forges ahead with a new life less than 18 months after her separation.
While Grant, 46, has immersed himself in his $80 million property and aviation empire, the Curry Kenny Group, cougar Lisa, has been seen out, dating a series of younger men, including Joel and his friend, Melbourne salesman Adrian Hunter.
Lisa began a relationship with Adrian, who is 13 years her junior, just 12 weeks after leaving Grant. But since Valentine’s Day, she has had eyes only for Joel, who seems equally smitten with Lisa.
Friends say they are head over heels in love and spend every available minute in each other’s company. Joel stays over at Lisa’s three-bedroom, beachside apartment most nights.
“They are together all the time,” says one neighbour. “They look so happy and can’t keep their hands off each other. Joel even drives Lisa’s car around town and things are clearly getting serious between them.”
Originally from Hamilton in Victoria, Joel made the move to Queensland for a new start after a bad break-up.
Singer-songwriter Joel also works as an actor and model, and has a regular deejay spot at trendy Deco Bar & Restaurant in Mooloolaba.
Lisa and Joel met and became friends last year, even attending the Gold Coast premiere of Australian film Charlie & Boots as “platonic” friends last August.
But their relationship stepped up a level on the most romantic night of the year, Valentine’s Day, according to one of the bar staff at Deco.
“I noticed something change between them that night,” the woman reveals. “Lisa was at Deco with friends, and Joel joined her after performing.
They kept looking at each other and there was definitely something going on. You could just tell.
For the story see this week's Woman's Day, on sale April 19, 2010.
