Pictures: Jenna Zane
It doesn’t get more showbiz than giving Kate Moss an ice bath, hitting red carpets and filming a sustainable travel skit with Prince Harry. But as she rocks Kiwi designers in the coastal haven of Muriwai, raves about Vogel’s bread and points out a view of Auckland landmark Mt Eden from her new apartment, it’s clear that after 13 years in Los Angeles, Fleur Saville couldn’t be happier to be home.
“I thought I’d miss the hustle and bustle, but I’m just so happy for fresh air,” the former Shortland Street star tells Woman’s Day. “And New Zealand feels new because I’ve been gone 13 years. It’s become really sophisticated, so it’s like the new New Zealand. Coming home feels like a beautiful, warm hug!”
After becoming a household name on shows like Being Eve and Shortland Street, Fleur moved to California in 2011 with fellow Shorty alum Hannah Tolich.
She tells, “I was drawn to Los Angeles and the American mindset of, ‘You can do anything.’ There’s no tall-poppy syndrome in America, so I loved the idea of being around that positive, can-do attitude.”
Stunned by the enormity of the city – and how it was sunny every morning – finding community became key to settling in. Shacking up with Kiwi actress pal Rose McIver, the two threw parties to make friends. Their West Hollywood digs soon became a Kiwi hub, where stars like Gin Wigmore and Craig Parker also lived at various times.
While Fleur landed acting work, like on 2012 Lindsay Lohan telemovie Liz & Dick and horror-comedy Blood Punch, she fell more into producing and loved it. Among the highlights were an award-winning music documentary about jam band Magic Music, and an ad campaign starring the Duke of Sussex and Kiwi comedian Rhys Darby to promote the prince’s sustainable travel non-profit Travalyst.
“He was such a lovely guy – funny, polite and a great actor,” she says of Harry. “We had so much fun with him and Rhys.”
After riding out Covid, Fleur landed a job managing events and partnerships at social wellness club Remedy Place. “[Justin] Bieber would be in there or Kim [Kardashian] would roll in. I also met Kate Moss – it was awesome. I ran her through her an ice bath!
“And we did a wellness activation where Paris Hilton was the DJ. She’s as beautiful, funny and cool as you’d hope.”
Health and wellness have always been important to Fleur. She loved California’s outdoorsy lifestyle and was a regular on hiking hot spots like Runyon Canyon. In recent years, she also embarked on a spiritual journey after meeting Kiwi mystics in LA. The gurus, who are of Indian descent, have been guiding Fleur and she moved home to be with them.
“I tested them out for seven years before I committed to the relationship,” she reveals. “They give me a greater sense of purpose, meaning and direction. My life’s infinitely better, so I came back to keep learning from them.”
Once Fleur decided to move home, everything else fell into place, like being offered a role as Chief Network and Strategy Officer for Muriwai’s Parihoa.
The 283-hectare property is the new headquarters of a global wellbeing network, which Fleur is helping build. It features yoga teachers, coaches, infrared saunas and ice baths, and will host retreats and international speakers, plus allow Kiwi members to “be around a community that lifts everyone up”.
Fleur’s also juggling two US jobs remotely – producing a documentary and contracting for a non-alcoholic beer company. “I’ve got time and energy,” she laughs.
Another key reason Fleur headed home was to progress her seven-year passion project – a ground-breaking sci-fi fantasy film, Polymath. Merging education and entertainment, the “edutainment” movie claims it will revolutionise film using new VR/3D technology. It will teach moviegoers skills, like learning music, while they watch.
Fleur and fellow Kiwi Leanne Frisbie are hoping to find local investors to fund the $6 million prototype they need to create through their company Mastertude. Fleur will also play the lead character, Mu, who encapsulates how she’s evolved since she left Aotearoa.
“The film’s about self-discovery and the quest for knowledge, which I didn’t have before,” she says. “Coming home, I want to learn, and have discipline and purpose.”
It’s the perfect way to start her forties. After arriving home, Fleur celebrated the milestone with a Waiheke Island bash. Celeb pals like Claire Chitham, Antonia Prebble and David de Lautour were in attendance. “I feel really good about my forties. Forty is the new 30!”
She’s also been enjoying tucking in to Vogel’s and Whittaker’s chocolate, plus catching up with family and friends.
While Fleur’s open to love, she’s not actively searching, having split with her longtime partner, director/producer Dean Cornish, in 2019.
“It’s important to be honest about two people’s journeys and have the courage to choose your journey first,” Fleur reflects about the break-up. “I never want to come from a place of staying in something because you think you have to, like our parents’ generation did.
“We gave it a good go, but I had to find the courage to stand on my own two feet. So, we went our separate ways – amicably – which was lovely.
“Then I had a great four-year relationship with an American, but we had different dreams, so we split amicably. If someone turns up in New Zealand, I’m open but not searching.”
What would it take to capture Fleur’s attention?
“Someone who respects my path with my gurus, makes me laugh and is fun!”
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