How Lauren Phillips went from hosting children’s programs to hanging out with Chris Hemsworth

Lauren Phillips walked the red carpet of the exclusive Gold Dinner in Sydney alongside Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky on Thursday.

The Weekend Today weather presenter, 34, looked glamorous in a black gown that hugged her figure as she posed at the event with the A-list couple, Liam Hemsworth and his girlfriend Gabriella Brooks, and Matt Damon’s wife Lucciana Barroso.

And while she seamlessly fitted into that famous social circle for the group photo at the charity event – it’s quite a long way from her early days as the host of a children’s show.

Hanging with the Hemsworths: Lauren Phillips (second from left) looked glamorous in a black gown at the Gold Dinner in Sydney alongside Chris Hemsworth, Elsa Pataky (centre), Matt Damon’s wife Lucciana Barroso (left), Liam Hemsworth and Gabriella Brooks

In 2011, she was cast as the co-host of Channel Nine’s now defunct program, Kids’ WB Australia, alongside former Block star Andy Sunderland. 

But the show was given the axe in November 2019 because Channel Nine’s long-running deal with Warner Bros had expired.

Lauren made headlines earlier in December 2018, when she announced her split from Lachlan Spark after just one year of marriage.

At the time, her representative confirmed the marriage was over in a brief statement to The Daily Telegraph newspaper. 

Remember this? And while she seamlessly fit into that famous social circle at the charity event - it is quite a long way from her early days hosting Kids' WB Australia. She was on the show from 2011 until it was axed in 2019

Remember this? And while she seamlessly fit into that famous social circle at the charity event – it is quite a long way from her early days hosting Kids’ WB Australia. She was on the show from 2011 until it was axed in 2019

Relationships: Lauren made headlines in December 2018, when she split up from Lachlan Spark (left) after a year of marriage

Romance: She is now believed to be dating multi-millionaire jet tycoon Paul O'Brien (right) whose celebrity clients include Matt Damon and Chris Hemsworth

Relationships: Lauren made headlines in December 2018, when she split up from Lachlan Spark (left) after a year of marriage. She is now believed to be dating multi-millionaire jet tycoon Paul O’Brien (right) whose celebrity clients include Matt Damon and Chris Hemsworth

Lauren is now believed to be dating multi-millionaire jet tycoon Paul O’Brien, who happens to be the ex-boyfriend of Sunrise host Sam Armytage.

Paul runs high-end aviation business AVMIN, which boasts celebrity clients including Matt Damon and Chris Hemsworth. 

She has been enjoying getting to know Paul’s many celebrity friends, including Hollywood superstar Hemsworth and his wife.

Surprise guest! Back in September, Lauren surprised Weekend Today hosts Richard Wilkins (left) and Rebecca Maddern (centre) with a special appearance by Chris Hemsworth in the New South Wales town of Scone

Surprise guest! Back in September, Lauren surprised Weekend Today hosts Richard Wilkins (left) and Rebecca Maddern (centre) with a special appearance by Chris Hemsworth in the New South Wales town of Scone

If the acting career doesn't pan out: The Thor star read her weather report live on air, and afterwards she joked the A-list star gave her a run for her money and take her job

If the acting career doesn’t pan out: The Thor star read her weather report live on air, and afterwards she joked the A-list star gave her a run for her money and take her job

Back in September, Lauren surprised Weekend Today hosts Richard Wilkins and Rebecca Maddern with a special appearance by Hemsworth in the New South Wales town of Scone.

The Thor star read her weather report live on air, and afterwards she joked the A-list star gave her a run for her money and may take her job. 

In November, Lauren was among the small group of several women who got a tattoo with Elsa during Chris’ mother Leonie’s 60th birthday in Byron Bay.

Mutual pals: Then in November, Lauren was among the small group of several women who got a tattoo with Elsa Pataky during a Chris' mother Leonie's 60th birthday in Byron Bay. Lauren had in fact shared the original post from their mutual friend, Byron Bay-based Elke Ricks

Mutual pals: Then in November, Lauren was among the small group of several women who got a tattoo with Elsa Pataky during a Chris’ mother Leonie’s 60th birthday in Byron Bay. Lauren had in fact shared the original post from their mutual friend, Byron Bay-based Elke Ricks

Elsa was tagged in a post by Lauren, which showed her, Elsa and friends showing off the new inkings on their wrists and ankles – including a shell and a paper plane.

The Channel Nine presenter had in fact shared the original post from their mutual friend, Byron Bay-based Elke Ricks.

Since then Lauren has become part of the Hemsworth orbit and shared a number of photos that feature the Hollywood couple, their famous friends and family members on her social media.

Celebration: For her 34th birthday, Lauren posted a group photo of her Byron Bay bash. 'Totally spoilt by these legends yesterday,' she captioned a large group photo that included Chris (far left), Elsa (centre in black), and Luke and his wife Samantha (right)

Celebration: For her 34th birthday, Lauren posted a group photo of her Byron Bay bash. ‘Totally spoilt by these legends yesterday,’ she captioned a large group photo that included Chris (far left), Elsa (centre in black), and Luke and his wife Samantha (right)

Spot the famous faces! Last month, she shared photos from a lavish white party with the famous family which 'was a send-off for American TV personality Michele Merkin', according to Sydney Morning Herald

Spot the famous faces! Last month, she shared photos from a lavish white party with the famous family which ‘was a send-off for American TV personality Michele Merkin’, according to Sydney Morning Herald 

For her 34th birthday in January, Lauren shared a photo of her Byron Bay bash.

‘Totally spoilt by these legends yesterday,’ she captioned a large group photo that included Chris, Elsa, Liam and his girlfriend Gabriella, Luke and his wife Samantha.

Last month, she shared photos from a lavish white party with the famous family which ‘was a send-off for American TV personality Michele Merkin’, according to Sydney Morning Herald.

Just weeks later, Lauren shared photos from a recent holiday to the The Kimberley in Western Australia with Gabriella Brooks and Hemsworths’ parents Craig and Leonie.

Getaway: Just weeks later, Lauren shared photos from a recent holiday to the The Kimberley in Western Australia with Gabriella Brooks (top right) and Hemsworths' parents Craig (left) and Leonie (right with Lauren)

Getaway: Just weeks later, Lauren shared photos from a recent holiday to the The Kimberley in Western Australia with Gabriella Brooks (top right) and Hemsworths’ parents Craig (left) and Leonie (right with Lauren)