Anthony LaPaglia denies claims he was ‘dumped’ at the Novotel


Anthony LaPaglia has silenced claims he was ‘dumped’ out at the Novotel at Sydney’s Olympic Park for two weeks of hotel quarantine, after flying in from America.

The Sydney Morning Herald’s Private Sydney alleged on Saturday that friends of the 61-year-old said he was ‘given anything but star treatment’.   

In two Instagram posts later that day, the Australian actor branded the reports a ‘flat out lie’, describing the hotel staff as ‘wonderful under these difficult circumstances’.

No truth: Anthony LaPaglia (pictured in July 2017) denied report by The Sydney Morning Herald’s Private Sydney on Saturday, that he was ‘dumped’ out at Sydney’s Olympic Park for hotel quarantine, describing staff as ‘wonderful’ and ‘considerate’ 

‘It’s a flat out lie. I had no problem doing the quarantine because it’s what required under these unique circumstances. 

‘The Accor Novotel hotel management and staff in Sydney park were considerate, helpful and wonderful under these difficult circumstances. 

‘So good I’d recommend anyone travelling to Sydney to stay there,’ he continued.

Anthony went on to share a photo of a balloon bouquet the hotel staff gifted him on his last day of quarantine.  

Setting the record straight: The Australian actor (pictured in June 2017) branded the claims a 'flat out lie' in an Instagram post on Saturday

Setting the record straight: The Australian actor (pictured in June 2017) branded the claims a ‘flat out lie’ in an Instagram post on Saturday 

Treated just like anyone else: 'The Accor Novotel hotel management and staff in Sydney park were considerate, helpful and wonderful under these difficult circumstances,' the 61-year-old said in relation to the claims (pictured in June 2017)

Treated just like anyone else: ‘The Accor Novotel hotel management and staff in Sydney park were considerate, helpful and wonderful under these difficult circumstances,’ the 61-year-old said in relation to the claims (pictured in June 2017) 

Sweet gesture: Anthony went on to share a photo of a balloon bouquet the hotel staff gifted him on his last day of quarantine

Sweet gesture: Anthony went on to share a photo of a balloon bouquet the hotel staff gifted him on his last day of quarantine 

The Sydney Morning Herald report Anthony was referring to, also suggested there is a ‘celebrity pecking order’ with Nicole Kidman, 53, and Keith Urban, 52, granted special permission by the New South Wales Government to self-isolate at home.   

After news of the exemption made headlines, some Australians angrily suggested that COVID-19 travel restrictions only seem to affect ordinary people, and not the rich and famous.  

In pictures obtained by Daily Mail Australia, the couple and their daughters Sunday, 12, and Faith, nine, appeared happy and relaxed as they walked through their Sutton Forest farm to their $6.5million mansion in the Southern Highlands on Monday. 

Recommendation: Anthony also recommended the hotel as a great accommodation option for anyone travelling to Sydney. Pictured: Novotel hotel

Recommendation: Anthony also recommended the hotel as a great accommodation option for anyone travelling to Sydney. Pictured: Novotel hotel 

Surroundings: Pictured is the interior of a standard room at the Novotel

Surroundings: Pictured is the interior of a standard room at the Novotel 

However, their freedom to head straight home following a long-haul flight from the U.S., where there have been four million confirmed COVID-19 cases, has divided their fanbase.

One fan fumed on social media: ‘If we all have to do it and no one is getting exemptions then EVERYONE should have to do it! And they wonder why people start breaking the rules.’

Another wrote: ‘Two different sets of laws: one for the rich and powerful and one for the ordinary person.’ 

Self-isolating at home: Meanwhile, Nicole Kidman, 53, and Keith Urban, 52, (both pictured in January 2020) skipped hotel quarantine, and have been self-isolating at their $6.5million estate in the Southern Highlands since Monday afternoon

Self-isolating at home: Meanwhile, Nicole Kidman, 53, and Keith Urban, 52, (both pictured in January 2020) skipped hotel quarantine, and have been self-isolating at their $6.5million estate in the Southern Highlands since Monday afternoon 

However, many others pointed out that they didn’t see a problem with it if the pair stayed at home for two weeks.

One supporter wrote: ‘This is right decision. They have their own property, why not? They both deserve a little credit for promoting Australia every day… Welcome home.’

Another added: ‘Why is everyone carrying on? They are isolating at home, just not at a hotel. So what if they are stars? They still have to isolate away from everyone.’ 

Not impressed: 'This is SO wrong! First, bloody Dannii Minogue and now these two. Completely unfair and wrong!' one fan fumed on social media

Not impressed: ‘This is SO wrong! First, bloody Dannii Minogue and now these two. Completely unfair and wrong!’ one fan fumed on social media

Unlike ordinary travellers who must stay in hotels, Nicole and Keith were allowed to head straight from the airport to their $6.5million country mansion.

Despite being granted this exception, the pair must still spend 14 days at home in accordance with Australia’s coronavirus rules.

According to the NSW Government website, people returning from overseas are only exempt from staying at a quarantine hotel if there are ‘strong medical, health or compassionate grounds’.

Set on a sprawling 45 hectares, Nicole and Keith’s Southern Highlands estate boasts traditional sandstone verandahs, pressed metal ceilings, a grand carved cedar staircase and 10 original marble fireplaces. 

'Why are people tripping out?' However, many others pointed out that they didn't see a problem with it if the pair stayed at home for two weeks

‘Why are people tripping out?’ However, many others pointed out that they didn’t see a problem with it if the pair stayed at home for two weeks

Since buying the property, Keith and Nicole have installed an 18-metre swimming pool, a gym and a full-sized tennis court. The home is also surrounded by large grass mounds to block out prying eyes.     

The couple’s arrival Down Under comes after Nicole was given the green light to film her new TV series, Nine Perfect Strangers, in Australia. 

The production, based on the 2018 novel by Liane Moriarty, will reportedly inject $100million into the struggling local film industry by creating hundreds of jobs.  

Strict COVID-19 restrictions are in place, according to local news reports, and production is based out of Nicole and Keith’s Southern Highlands home.

Rules: According to the NSW Government website, people returning from overseas are only exempt from staying at a quarantine hotel if there are 'strong medical, health or compassionate grounds'. Nicole and Keith are pictured in January 2020

Rules: According to the NSW Government website, people returning from overseas are only exempt from staying at a quarantine hotel if there are ‘strong medical, health or compassionate grounds’. Nicole and Keith are pictured in January 2020

Cast and crew members flying from overseas or interstate will be made to quarantine in a hotel for 14 days upon their arrival in NSW.

Nicole and her fellow producers will also be responsible for paying all medical and security costs.

The limited series is being produced by Nicole’s production company, Blossom Films, alongside Big Little Lies collaborators Bruna Papandrea and David E. Kelley.   

Nicole will also star in the show with the likes of Melissa McCarthy, Luke Evans and Manny Jacinto.   

The series will tell the story of nine stressed-out urbanites who escape to a wellness retreat run by Nicole’s character. 

Filming will begin on August 10 and will run for 19 weeks.

Latest project: The couple's arrival Down Under comes after Nicole was given the green light to film her new TV series, Nine Perfect Strangers, in Australia

Latest project: The couple’s arrival Down Under comes after Nicole was given the green light to film her new TV series, Nine Perfect Strangers, in Australia