In 2005, Michelle Leslie was arrested in Bali after police reported discovering two ecstasy tablets in her handbag.
29 Facts About Michelle Leslie
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Michelle Leslie was convicted and sentenced to three months' imprisonment.
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Michelle Leslie returned to the catwalk in Australia in 2006, but struggled to find regular work as a model following the publicity from her arrest.
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Michelle Leslie was born in Adelaide, South Australia, to Albert and Violeta Leslie.
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Michelle Leslie enjoyed it enough to undertake a second course, and shortly thereafter left school in order to pursue a full-time modelling career.
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Michelle Leslie soon emerged as one of the "most prominent catwalk and catalogue models" in Adelaide, working for stores such as David Jones, Harris Scarfe and Myer.
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Michelle Leslie was "catapulted on to the international catwalk" when Asian Australian models became in demand.
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Michelle Leslie moved to New York temporarily in 2003 for modelling opportunities.
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On 21 August 2005, Michelle Leslie was travelling in a vehicle to an open-air dance party at Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park on the Indonesian island of Bali.
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Michelle Leslie denied making the allegation, and Azmaan denied any involvement.
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Michelle Leslie denied other statements attributed to her by police reports, including that she had been taking ecstasy for a year and could not enjoy parties without it.
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Police gave "vague and contradicting" reports regarding who Michelle Leslie was with when she was arrested, with media alleging this was an attempt to protect their identities.
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Michelle Leslie was one of five people arrested by police during their raid that night; according to Michelle Leslie's lawyers, two of the people arrested quickly bribed their way out of any further trouble.
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In October 2005, it was reported that Michelle Leslie's lawyers had provided a report from a Sydney doctor stating that Michelle Leslie was addicted to prescription medication.
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Michelle Leslie was deported from the country due to her conviction.
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Michelle Leslie flew out of Bali to Singapore, where she spent time with friends and family before returning to Sydney.
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Professor Catharine Lumby, then head of media studies at the University of Sydney, said many Australians would have sympathy for Michelle Leslie, and predicted she would be highly sought out by companies for modelling after returning to Australia, as she would be perceived as a "cult figure".
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Michelle Leslie declined to sell her story upon her return to Australia, on the grounds she believed she would face further criticism for profiting from the ordeal.
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Michelle Leslie instead gave unpaid interviews to 60 Minutes and New Idea, the latter of whom donated money to a Cambodian orphanage she was raising funds for; Leslie received an AU$70,000 payment from New Idea for an interview while she was still in prison prior to being convicted.
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Michelle Leslie believes police targeted her on the belief she was wealthy and well connected because she was a model; her parents had to mortgage their home to help pay her legal fees, which came close to AU$300,000.
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Michelle Leslie chose to wear a burqa on one occasion when she appeared in court, and opted to wear Islamic dress, such as a hijab, until she was released.
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Michelle Leslie's lawyer offered an apology to any Muslims who were offended, saying that Leslie had worn the clothes to avoid unwanted attention from the prison guards and journalists.
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The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils initially stated they had no problem with Michelle Leslie being a Muslim; their president Ameer Ali recommended that she refrain from returning to her former career as "a model for lingerie and underwear" after returning to Australia, as such behaviour was "not allowed in Islam".
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Michelle Leslie arrived back in Australia shortly before Australian Fashion Week, and returned to the catwalk there for the first time in April 2006, modelling swimwear for designer Michael Azzollini.
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Michelle Leslie had several modelling jobs after returning to Australia, but struggled to find steady work as a model.
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Michelle Leslie spent much of 2020 and 2021 in Hawaii doing interior design and renovating for a luxury home owned by John Singleton.
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In September 2003, Michelle Leslie began a relationship with Scott Sutton, heir to the Suttons Holden chain of Holden dealerships in Sydney.
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Michelle Leslie separated from Sutton in July 2007, and began dating magazine publisher Adam Zammit the following month.
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Michelle Leslie had her first child at 42 though declined to reveal the identify of the child's father to the media.