{{Short description|Australian television presenter}} {{About|the Australian TV presenter|the Scottish baronet|James Matheson}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}} {{Use Australian English|date=May 2015}} {{Infobox person | name = James Mathison | image = JM Headshot Small.jpg | image_size = 200px | caption = Portrait of Mathison | other_names = | birth_name = James Hernandez Mathison | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1978|1|14|df=yes}} | birth_place = Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | years_active = 2000–present | occupation = Television presenter | employer = | website = | module = | spouse = }}
'''James Hernandez Mathison''' (born 14 January 1978{{citation needed|date=December 2017}}) is an Australian television presenter and radio personality.
==Early life == {{BLP unreferenced section|date=May 2019}} Mathison was born in Sydney, New South Wales. He developed an interest in music at an early age, which eventually led to his career in broadcasting. Mathison first gained national recognition as a co-host on Australian Idol, where his engaging, and conversational style made him a fan favourite. His success in television later led to opportunities in radio, digital media, and politics.
==Career==
===Entertainment=== ====Television==== In 2001, Mathison was a contestant on the Channel Ten reality TV show ''The $20 Challenge'',<ref name="telegraph mathison quits">{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/james-mathison-quits-as-host-of-australian-idol/news-story/2f749c8c2720290ca41a0034782310ca?sv=a6a7f87bc9554869d5415d4dd18747d8|title=JAMES Mathison quits as host of Australian Idol|date=2009-03-31|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=2018-08-17|df=dmy-all}}</ref> during which he was shown busking on the streets of London for extra money. He achieved second place in the contest. Weeks after returning from London, he auditioned for one of Australia's prominent TV music shows, Channel [[Channel V Australia|Channel [V]]]'s New Reporter Search. After making it through to the final 8, he was offered a job there as host and video journalist.
In 2003, Mathison was appointed co-host of ''Australian Idol'' alongside Channel [V] host Andrew Günsberg. They created a behind-the-scenes show for Channel [V] called ''Australian Idol Extra'' for the second, and third seasons of the programme.
Mathison appeared on a celebrity episode of the Australian version of ''Ready Steady Cook'' in October 2005, in which he was declared the winner, beating Osher Günsberg (aka. Andrew G).<ref name="dna interview">{{Cite interview|last=Mathison|first=James|interviewer=Myers, Matthew|title=Morning, James!|url=https://issuu.com/matt1964/docs/jamesmathisondna|work=DNA Magazine|access-date=2018-08-17|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
Mathison has also been a presenter on Nova 96.9 where he hosted "LaunchPad", a late night new music show, as well as co-hosting summer breakfast programming.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathon |last=Moran |title=James Mathison on quitting Australian Idol and Nova radio |url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/james-mathison-on-quitting-australian-idol-and-nova-radio/story-e6freon6-1225710492789 |work=The Sunday Telegraph |location=Australia |date=10 May 2009 }}</ref>
In 2005<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-09-14/higgins-leads-aria-awards-nominee-list/2103622|title=Higgins leads ARIA awards nominee list|date=2005-09-14|work=ABC News|access-date=2018-08-17|language=en-AU|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and 2006, James hosted the ARIA Music Awards. In 2007, James, along with Hamish and Andy, hosted the ARIA Red Carpet segment.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2007/10/rove-returns-as-arias-host.html|title=Rove returns as ARIAs host|last=Knox|first=David|date=2007-10-12|work=TV Tonight|access-date=2018-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031004526/https://tvtonight.com.au/2007/10/rove-returns-as-arias-host.html|archive-date=2007-10-31|url-status=live|language=en-AU|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He also made a brief cameo appearance on the Australian feature film ''BoyTown'' in the ARIA's scene playing himself alongside Ella Hooper.<ref name="dna interview" /> In June 2009, Network Ten announced that James would be a reporter, and panelist on ''The 7pm Project'' covering media and sport alongside, Charlie Pickering, Carrie Bickmore and Dave Hughes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2009/06/the-7pm-project-its-official.html|title=The 7pm Project: it's official|last=Knox|first=David|date=2009-06-12|work=TV Tonight|access-date=2018-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615183557/https://tvtonight.com.au/2009/06/the-7pm-project-its-official.html|archive-date=2009-06-15|url-status=live|language=en-AU|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In July 2012, Mathison joined ''Weekend Sunrise''<ref name="thewest wake up call">{{Cite news|url=https://thewest.com.au/entertainment/tv/wake-up-call-from-ten-ng-ya-360047|title=Wake Up call from Ten|last=Richards|first=Holly|date=2013-10-28|work=The West Australian|access-date=2018-08-17|language=en-GB|df=dmy-all}}</ref> where he replaced Jonathan Coleman as a movie reviewer.
In July 2013, Network Ten announced Mathison would be presenter of its new breakfast program ''Wake Up'' alongside Natarsha Belling, Natasha Exelby and Nuala Hafner.<ref name="thewest wake up call" />
====Music and Entertainment====
Mathison is widely recognised for his interviews with some of the biggest names in pop music and film. He has also played a role in supporting emerging Australian music talent. As a co-host on Channel V and Australian Idol, James has become known for his on-screen presence, showcasing a deep knowledge of music and his ability to connect with contestants and viewers.
Mathison has also built a successful career in radio and digital media, where he continues to engage audiences with his in-depth interviews and coverage of major events within the entertainment sector. His ability to connect on a personal more meaningful level, has made him a sought-after interviewer, with conversations that often offer unique perspectives on the people and trends shaping popular culture.
Mathison is an influential and iconic entertainment journalists in Australia. His contributions to Australian media have made him admired for his impact on the broader entertainment community.
===Politics=== On 28 May 2016, Mathison announced that he would contest the 2016 federal election as an independent candidate for the federal seat of Warringah. The seat was held by Tony Abbott, a member of the Liberal Party and a former Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite news |title=Election 2016: Australian Idol host James Mathison to challenge Tony Abbott in Warringah|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2016/election-2016-australian-idol-host-james-mathison-to-challenge-tony-abbott-in-warringah-20160527-gp62ae.html|date=28 May 2016|access-date=29 May 2016|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|first=Megan|last=Levy}}</ref> Mathison received 11.4% of the primary vote.<ref>[http://results.aec.gov.au/20499/Website/HouseDivisionPage-20499-151.htm Warringah, NSW], Virtual Tally Room 2016, Australian Electoral Commission.</ref> He assisted in grassroots training and campaign events supporting Zali Steggall in her successful bid to win the federal seat of Warringah as an independent in 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Chan|first=Gabrielle|date=2019-02-25|title=Mathison Backs Steggall to beat Tony Abbott|language=en-GB|work=Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=DTWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fnewslocal%2Fmanly-daily%2Ftv-presenter-james-mathison-backs-zali-steggall-to-beat-tony-abbott%2Fnews-story%2Fb71b128a1af50ae968e424939f343dcc&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21suffix=97-a|access-date=2019-07-02|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|id=1468325|name=James Mathison}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20061030025116/http://blog.who.com/whosays/australian_idol/index.html WHO.com Australian Idol blog]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mathison, James}} Category:1978 births Category:Australian television presenters Category:Australian music critics Category:Australian music journalists Category:Australian video jockeys Category:Television personalities from Sydney Category:Living people Category:People educated at St Augustine's College, Sydney