Former Neighbours star Holly Valance has urged Australians not to be embarrassed by their patriotism or scared to stand up for their country [1, 2, 3].
Valance's comments arrive as a public call for national pride, reflecting her right-wing political views and her desire for citizens to express their love for the nation openly [1, 5].
In a message addressed to the Australian public, Valance emphasized that citizens should feel a sense of pride in their identity [2, 3]. She said, "Don’t be embarrassed and don’t be too scared to stand up for your country" [1].
The actress, who is 42 [4], has seen her messages gain traction online. Gabriella Power of Sky News Australia said that Valance is "going a bit viral here in Australia again" for these specific messages [3].
Power said that Valance had a clear message to Australians to not be embarrassed about being patriotic and about standing up for their country [3]. The call to action aligns with a broader discourse on national identity, and the role of public figures in promoting conservative values [5].
Valance's advocacy for unapologetic patriotism is part of a wider pattern of public engagement where she encourages Australians to resist social pressure that might discourage the expression of national loyalty [1, 2].
““Don’t be embarrassed and don’t be too scared to stand up for your country.””
The public endorsement of patriotism by a known celebrity like Valance highlights the ongoing cultural tension in Australia between traditional national pride and modern social critiques. By framing patriotism as an act of courage against embarrassment, she is positioning national identity as a point of political and social contention.
