Along with what feels like half of Hollywood, Melissa McCarthy has relocated to Australia. She moved last summer and plans on staying until at least August. The actress told InStyle she connected to the country in a way she didn't anticipate.
"I'm a Midwestern gal who lives in L.A., where no one wants to talk to you. And here I'll be in the grocery store, and I can't go down a single aisle without talking to somebody. It's wonderful. I come home, and I will have had 15 conversations," she said. Even if someone recognizes her, they usually aren't asking for a photo, but having casual conversations about things like produce: "I'm out buying grapes, and they're like, 'What do you think of these?'"
Australians are getting used to spotting on-screen stars in the supermarket these days. As the country has nearly defeated coronavirus, restrictions have eased and film sets have been created. Of course the Hemsworth brothers are there, but actors joining them and McCarthy down under include Natalie Portman, Zac Efron, Christian Bale, Idris Elba, and many, many more.
But not everyone welcomes the tinsel town elite. Byron Bay locals have complained about the town's transformation since the stars and production crews have arrived, reports The New York Times. Perhaps if California matches Australia in terms of COVID safety, they'll all come flying back.