Ricki-Lee Coulter has shared the secrets behind her successful marriage as she fronts the latest McHappy Day campaign.
The singer and radio star, who second season of Australian Idol in 2004, tells Daily Mail Australia that she and her husband Richard Harrison, who she married in 2015, have a very simple formula that keeps their relationship rock solid.
‘Honesty and communication’ the 39-year-old said, when asked for the key to that success.
The pair are set to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary next year, but it will be a low key day for the down to earth couple, who have ruled out renewing their vows.
‘At the moment, I’m just looking forward to a holiday at Christmas – I can’t think that far ahead!’ the pop star said with a laugh.
‘2024 has been such a huge year – with my album coming out in March, touring and playing shows all year, hosting Australian Idol which was on air until April and then we started filming auditions for the new season in October, as well as doing my radio show every day….
Ricki-Lee Coulter has shared the secrets behind her successful marriage as she fronts the latest McHappy Day campaign. Pictured with husband Richard Harrison
The singer and radio star, who second season of Australian Idol in 2004, tells Daily Mail Australia that she and her husband Richard Harrison, who she married in 2015, have a very simple formula that keeps their relationship rock solid
‘I’ve been working so hard and I’m very much looking forward to switching off and disconnecting and relaxing!’
Elsewhere in the interview, Ricki-Lee expressed her pride in being named this year’s McHappy Day ambassador.
‘I love working with Ronald McDonald House Charities and I’ve worked with them for 20 years now!’ she explained.
‘In 2004, when I was on Australian Idol, we went to visit the house in Westmead and met families and some of the children going through treatment and it had such a profound impact on me and put everything into perspective.’
Ricki-Lee continued: ‘I got to see where the money goes that is raised by the charity and how important it is to the families who need it.
‘Ever since then, I have worked with, supported and raised money for RMHC because of the huge impact it had on me.
‘I’ve taken part in McHappy Day ever since I can remember, but now it’s amazing that I can use my platform and my voice to encourage others to support such a wonderful charity where they too can make a huge difference in the lives of seriously ill children and their families.’
Those wishing to join Ricki-Lee in raising funds for McHappy Day can do so at the official website.
Elsewhere in the interview, Ricki-Lee expressed her pride in being named this year’s McHappy Day ambassador. ‘I love working with Ronald McDonald House Charities and I’ve worked with them for 20 years now!’ she explained
Coulter will be hands-on with the charity on the day, serving food to punters – and even has a menu item named after her – The Ricki Special
Coulter will be hands-on with the charity on the day, serving food to punters – and even has a special menu item named after her.
‘I’ll be visiting a store in Sydney and working the register taking orders, making burgers at the burger station and keeping the drive thru moving even thought I stop to chat to everyone!’ she said with a laugh.
‘But all the while hoping to bat my eyelashes at enough people to donate as much money as they possibly can.
‘I always love making “The Ricki Special” for people who donate – which is a Big Mac with three patties instead of two, extra extra cheese, extra sauce and extra pickles.’
The singer earlier revealed the secret to her decade-long career was being surrounded by a team of people who say it like it is.
‘I don’t want to be surrounded by “yes people”,’ Ricki told The Sunday Telegraph.
She explained: ‘It’s not about stroking my ego or hurting my feelings. It’s about telling the truth.’
Ricki-Lee is managed by her husband, Richard.
‘The reason Rich and I work so well is he loves me first, but when it comes to business and music, there is no one more brutal and ruthless than him,’ she said.
The Can’t Touch It hit-maker added the entertainment industry is tough, and while it has its ups and downs, she is continuously looking at ways to improve her singing and performances.
Ricki-Lee said she has been doing daily vocal exercises, and is working ‘harder on her voice than ever before’, knowing not every song she pens will be a hit.
Earlier, she told Stellar she had to set boundaries after her husband woke her at night to talk about work.
‘He used to wake me up at 3am by tapping me on the shoulder and going, “Hey, you know that thing we’re doing next week, what if we…”‘
‘And I’d be like, “What?! If you’re waking me up for sex, that’d be one thing, but you’re waking me up to talk about work!” So we had to set that boundary.’
‘I always love making “The Ricki Special” for people who donate – which is a Big Mac with three patties instead of two, extra extra cheese, extra sauce and extra pickles’ she said
