Photography: Grace Wriggles
Matt Wilson’s career began as a carpenter on building sites. After winning Australia’s Hottest Tradie, he reinvented himself as a model for Aussie Bum, a cover boy for DNA, and then as an actor on Neighbours, where he was part of an historic gay wedding storyline. Now, at 38, and with three young kids, his sights are set on filmmaking.
DNA: What have you been up to since the end of Neighbours?
Matt Wilson: [Laughs] Scratching my butt and drinking way too much coffee! We have three young kids now, all at home, so I’m incredibly swamped.
And your lastborn, is this true, was delivered by yourself?
Oh yes! In January last year, she was born in a bathtub during a 33-minute labour, and we did it all with guidance from triple zero [emergency services]. The ambulance arrived ten minutes later, but it was all such magic!
That’s like a story straight out of a Neighbours episode!
I know, right? But who has a 33-minute labour? That’s not realistic! [Laughs]
What new projects are you working on?
I’ve been writing a project, which I’m pleased to say, has attracted some interest from a production company. It’s extremely exciting, and I also shot a sizzle teaser called Love In The Moonlight, which I hope will attract funding. I play Jack Stirling, a 1950s Hollywood star who is now a ghost living in a house owned by Samantha, played by Cassidy Krygger, who is also the writer. It’s inspired by The Ghost And Mrs Muir.
Any other irons in the fire?
I’ve just completed an American Hallmark film called Love On Deck, with Rhiannon Fish and Daniel Lissing. It’s a classic love story where two people who hate each other end up loving each other. I play the lead’s brother, Billy, a young surfer. I auditioned for the role of an older guy, but when I got the gig, it was for the younger role. Just when I think my age is starting to affect me, someone throws me some light! It’s been so great shooting on the Gold Coast, where I got to hang out on a superyacht for the past few weeks.
You appeared in over 2,000 episodes of Neighbours as Aaron Brennan from 2015 to 2025. Aaron falls in love with and marries David, played by Takaya Honda, and the couple became Neighbours fan favourites. What’s your fondest memory of Neighbours?
Gosh, it’s hard to pick with over 2,000 episodes. When I look back to when I was a tradie, there was something special about going to a site and getting to know the people around me. You’d build relationships, and it’s the same on a film set. Sometimes someone might be going through some trouble, and you can offer advice and support, and it switches around. These people go from being colleagues to confidants, and that camaraderie can’t be bought. It must be earned. With spending so much time on Neighbours, we had that in droves. We were so close to one another.
What about in terms of the character?
I’ll never forget, as part of Neighbours, going to Sydney Mardi Gras and being on the float. Going down Oxford Street and seeing all the love that was coming at us from the crowd. The amount of energy! It was one of the biggest highs of my life! By the end, I honestly felt like I was floating.
For you, it all began while working as a “tradie” who won a calendar competition.
Yeah, for Australia’s Hottest Tradie, where I won a Toyota HiLux. After that, someone suggested I submit a photo to Aussie Bum, and I got a photoshoot straight away. I wasn’t familiar with being in front of a camera and terrified of being photographed in my underwear! The thoughts that were racing through my head! Like, “What if something falls out and it’s caught on camera!” But the shoot went well, and it gave me confidence. Two weeks later, newspapers ran a full-page advertisement featuring my image. In fact, one of the first to publish me was DNA.
And you became a DNA cover boy!
Yes, one of the reasons I’m here doing this now is because DNA was there from the beginning. It was a huge moment, and I’d be remiss not to mention Aussie Bum and what they did in terms of setting up my confidence. At the time, Aussie Bum’s slogan was, “If you doubt yourself, wear something else.” I had gone into it with no confidence. I was in my briefs outside the Sydney Opera House in front of strangers. It was like standing on the edge of a cliff, then jumping off with wings spread and flying. That motto has become something for me when I’m making decisions. Everyone hits a wall with their confidence at some point, but nothing great happens unless you try to cross that wall.
A lot can happen as a result of something simple like winning a competition.
And I was so ashamed of winning that competition! I had this thing, even on a building site, that I wasn’t good enough. I had imposter syndrome, even as a carpenter. After my win, I was telling everyone it was a tradie competition, when it was really a beauty contest! The guys on the building site would have said, “Who do you think you are? Put it away!” [Laughs] I downplayed it, but without it, I wouldn’t be where I am today. If you doubt yourself, do something else!
What did your gay mates and tradie mates think of your portrayal of Aaron?
One of the biggest compliments I received was from my tradie mates who thought I was gay. They would sincerely tell me they didn’t realise I was gay, and I’d have to explain that it was a character, and not a reality show. My gay mates praised my representation on screen. Going from being a carpenter to playing that role opened a door where it’s okay to be yourself. I had full support from everyone.
Any wild nights out with your gay mates?
I remember, with Aussie Bum, I went to a huge dance festival at Luna Park in Sydney with tens of thousands of people. We did a shoot and then hung around. It was great fun and certainly an experience, dancing around with my shirt off.
Many men question their sexuality in their teen years. Did you?
I remember having a Savage Garden CD, and I’d look at Darren Hayes on the cover in his woollen jumper, and I had a little crush. I remember thinking, “I can see why everyone wants to date him.”
I guess it was a period where I was young, with changing hormones and starting to feel attractions. It was about discovery and where that all lies. But I also had a photo of the tennis player Tatiana Golovin on the back of my door, and she won out over Darren Hayes!
For teenagers, sexuality can certainly be a source of anxiety.
It’s an interesting time. You have all these feelings and are trying to figure out what’s triggering them. We feel we must decide, but you must go with your heart and not your head. But the best thing about the current representation is that we’re now allowing those conversations, where it’s not so much a worry as a non-event. It’s like asking, “Am I left-handed or right-handed?”
You look great in these new images, unshaven and with longer hair. Are you making a conscious effort to step away from the soap star look?
Yes. For many years, I’ve never felt like myself from an appearance perspective. Now it’s my time. This feels more like me!
Is there a song that will always get you out on the dancefloor?
It would be from the period in my life when I was going to clubs. When I was around 17, I’d sneak into those places, and I remember Sneaky Sound System were big. It was a real rush for me. Pictures was their big one and that will always get me dancing.
I recently saw Amyl And The Sniffers and, my god, Amy Taylor is a sight to see. She’s unapologetically herself and is writing her own story. U Should Not Be Doing That is a great song.
What about a favourite male singer or band?
Ziggy Alberts. He sets the tone, singing a lot about the environment, living with nature, sustainability, and what we believe in, and in a nice, calming tone. My favourite would be Laps Around The Sun.
Do you have a favourite quote?
“Nothing great has ever been achieved without enthusiasm,” by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
With all your modelling and acting experience, you must have a memorable wardrobe malfunction?
With Aussie Bum, I walked out onto The Morning Show, where we had a parade and had to rip off our board shorts to reveal the briefs underneath, and mine pulled down way too much – on live television! But I think it was more shadows than anything else!
When you’re not over-exposing yourself on television, what do you put on at home: briefs, boxers or freeballing?
I prefer fitted boxers because they’re more comfortable and hold everything in place!
And at the beach, swimming briefs, boardshorts or butt-naked?
Briefs. After working for Aussie Bum, I learned that tan lines are a bad thing!
Follow Matt Wilson on Instagram @mattywilson
Photography: Ryan Reynolds/Shutterstock; Christian Scott.
DNA #316 ©
