He’s one of the country’s most eligible bachelors and she’s a former supermodel back to her best. But eyebrows were raised when Dr Chris Brown and Tziporah Malkah were caught getting close, seemingly confirming one of showbiz’s best kept friendship secrets.
WATCH: Dr Chris Brown responds to ‘small penis’ rumours
Last week, Chris and Tziporah were spotted together at the airport. They were seen sharing
a cheeky kiss and a friendly laugh before boarding the same plane together.
Now a source tells New Idea exclusively why the pair have kept their friendship out of the spotlight to date.
“Chris and Tziporah have remained really close friends since she appeared on I’m A Celeb a few years ago,” a source tells New Idea. “They’ve worked hard to keep their friendship under wraps, because they don’t want all the attention, but they talk all the time and really enjoy each other’s company.”
Tziporah had been out of the media spotlight for years, before appearing on the Network Ten reality show set in the South African jungle in 2017, hosted by Chris and Julia Morris. It’s thought Chris offered Tziporah support and advice in the aftermath of her eviction, and a supportive friendship developed from there.
Since then, Tziporah – who prompted concern recently after posting a series of explicit shots on her Instagram account that she later explained away as “art” – has transformed her life and body, losing an incredible 50kg and rebuilding her public profile. And Chris has reportedly been on hand to guide her, as she deals with her re-found fame.
“They both have a wicked sense of humour and get on like a house on fire – they’re kind of perfect together,” says the source. As one of the most recognisable Aussie models of the ’90s, Tziporah became a household name when she began a relationship with James Packer in 1994, which ended four years later.”
During her time on I’m A Celebrity… Get me Out of Here!, Tziporah – then working in a nursing home and struggling with mental health issues – admitted she hadn’t been intimate with a man for years.
But after the show ended, she declared her “six-year drought” had ended after she reunited with Guy Vasey, a former boyfriend from her teen modelling years.
However, their relationship ended amid reports of online spats and Tziporah being charged after assaulting Guy during a boozy argument, causing her to admit that she had hit “rock bottom”.
Now single, Tziporah once described her perfect man as someone who “cherishes me, who loves me and is very gentle … makes me laugh … playing the guitar is a good bonus”.
Chris, meanwhile, is dating fellow TV host Liv Phyland, although they’ve kept their relationship out of the spotlight since being outed as a couple in November 2018. And while Chris and Tziporah are not romantically involved, he has kept their friendship private, too.
Last month, Chris appeared on Liv’s Insta story when she was hospitalised with acute appendicitis and, as New Idea reported last week, the TV vet’s car has been spotted outside her Sydney apartment.
Last year, Chris admitted that he had put his career ahead of relationships, telling Stellar magazine that his younger self would be “horrified” that he was still unmarried and without kids.
“I’ve probably prioritised work more than I potentially should have over the past 10 years – to the detriment of my personal life. I love my life, but it’s not without sacrifice,” he said.
While his fans are rooting for him to finally make that commitment and marry Liv, it looks like Dr Chris is still friendly with Tziporah, who follows the TV vet on social media. The pair were seen catching up at the airport before boarding the same flight together.
“There’s nothing romantic going on between Chris and Tziporah,” the source adds. “They’re just really close, but no-one would be surprised if it turned into more one day.”
“They’ve worked hard to keep their friendship under wraps … they don’t want the attention”
Dr Chris Brown and Tziporah Malkah have known each other for years, but have only just gone public with their close friendship.
WATCH: Tziporah Malkah raises concerns with bizarre ‘how to’ video
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