What really goes on at the Logies

''She is one of Australia's most recogniseable actors thanks to her role as Kirsty Sutherland on 'Home and Away'.

Now, Christie Hayes gives Yahoo7 Entertainment an exclusive insight into what really goes on behind-the-scenes at TV's night-of-nights.''

"The Logie Awards has always been my favourite night of the year.

You know what else I love? The night before. Dinner, drinks and meeting everyone at the hotel from a different TV show. Who says we had to be at war with Packed to The Rafters just because they were killing us in ratings. The publicists within the network politely remind us to have an early night. This, of course is code for "don’t get too drunk and write yourself off for tomorrow" and "do not do something to make headlines".

My last Logies was only a couple of years ago. It was pre-kids, so I could actually stay up past 8pm. I would generally insist on saying hello to most people the night beforehand. Always the social butterfly; nobody is really a stranger to me.

Ada (Nicodemou) and Kate (Ritchie) were always the best at getting us children to bed the night before, especially in the early days. Given I was underage when I started Home and Away, so it was nice to have someone looking after you. "Christie Hayes I hope you're not trying to drink, get into bed now!" they used to say.

Ada is still like that. We had dinner a couple of weeks ago and not much has changed. Always taking care of me, she pointed out that I needed to get my eyebrows done ASAP. I get so excited when she is nominated, which is basically every year.

My favourite people to sit at the table with during the ceremony were with Ada, Lynne [McGranger], Ray [Meagher] and my beloved old friend Norman Coburn, who played ‘Flathead’. Norman is hilarious. I haven't seen him in years because he left the show so long ago. All I will say is that he was a massive fan of Shakira the year she performed, dancing up onstage showing off her amazing dance moves, whilst he was guzzling back his vino. He's a blast. I won't get sued for that, will I?

THE DAY

"Let’s get straight to the point; It's all about that dress… and the spray tan… and the hair… and the makeup. Oh, and who’s nominated, and what celebrities are visiting from overseas. Beyoncé, Shakira and Macy Gray were the standouts for me over the years. They were all lovely. Oh, and the after party. Did I mention the dress? Let’s mention the spray tan again, it’s very important.

"Makeup starts early the day of the Logies, earlier than you’d think. If you’re nominated, you’re made up closer toward the end of the day, a lot closer to your call time for limousine departure- yup, everything is coordinated right to the minute. Nominees need to look nice and fresh and the important things are taken care of, like your hair not falling flat.

After hair and makeup, we meet in the foyer of the hotel to begin making our way over. Some people are nervous, some mostly excited, and, yes... a few are hung-over.
We arrive at Crown Casino via a limousine, and the craziness of the red carpet ensues. The beautiful fans of Aussie TV make more noise than a screaming toddler.

THE EVENT

"Dinner is actually served prior to the ceremony and generally you're pretty hungry, because, let’s face it, no one is pigging out on hotel room service prior to slipping on a Steven Khalil gown.

Once the ceremony begins, everybody can (semi) relax, unless they want a cigarette or a bathroom break. If so, they need to make sure they only go outside of the auditorium during ad breaks. Whoever is hosting is always fabulous at getting on the mic and stopping people from leaving the room so they don’t miss out on the next segment. "Come on Nick Giannopoulos stay in, we didn't walk out of Wog Boy!"

The overseas presenters are always a big deal - Michael Buble loved chatting to all the young ladies... years ago before he was a married man! They all mostly have a fabulous time getting to know us Aussies. Ron Moss of The Bold and Beautiful was cool, too cool - he sat with his sunglasses on inside the whole time. Even at the after party. Perhaps he was going for the Bono look.

THE MOMENT

There is nothing more wonderful than seeing actors who work hard for a role have their moment up on stage to be acknowledged. The excitement is especially real when the TV show you are on wins 'Most Popular Drama'.

"And the winner is... Home and Away!" Yes! Norman, put that wine down, we're all going on stage!

THE AFTER PARTY

"It's always a big deal. Naturally our lovely publicists once again give us a polite reminder to not do anything we shouldn't. The annoying thing with the Logies being down in Melbourne, is that it’s a live show filmed on a Sunday and most people have to work the next day... Networks do not schedule the day off, so if you have a 6am flight you can't actually stay out too late! Although, some people do.

This year I will be at home with a wine in hand and the best bit? I don’t have a gown to squeeze into, so I will probably have pancakes for breakfast.

It is Mother's Day after all.

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