The latest episode of “SAS Australia” brought forth poignant moments as Cassie Sainsbury, the convicted drug smuggler known as “Cocaine Cassie,” opened up about her traumatic experiences in a Colombian prison.
The reality show, designed to challenge and transform celebrities through military-style training, also saw AFL Hall of Famer Jason Akermanis exiting the course due to an enigmatic foot injury.
Additionally, actor Craig McLachlan faced a grilling session regarding past controversies.
The recruits’ initiation into the program was nothing short of intense. A Black Hawk helicopter greeted the 14 celebrity participants, instantly thrusting them into a high-stress environment. Subsequently, they were subjected to an unnerving challenge—being buried alive for a nerve-wracking 45 minutes. For Cassie Sainsbury, this experience triggered haunting memories of her time incarcerated in a Colombian prison.
The confinement and discomfort of the challenge resonated deeply with Cassie, who tearfully admitted, “I spent three years in a Colombian jail, and it’s all just very triggering.” The similarities between her prison ordeal and the SAS course were uncanny, from the way they ate to how they slept and the demeanor of the “guards.” In the midst of her emotional turmoil, Cassie found solace in repeating, “you’re not in prison.”
As her distress became evident, the Directing Staff (DS) intervened and questioned her. Cassie revealed her profound yearning for a fresh start, emphasizing her desire to distance herself from the “Cocaine Cassie” persona that has clung to her since her arrest.
“I finished my sentence; I did my time. I paid the price,” Cassie stated emphatically. “And I’m trying to move on with my life. I’m not the same person I was nearly seven years ago. I’m not Cocaine Cassie. I’m just Cassie.”
Following this emotional journey, the recruits faced their first task—boarding a moving train, retrieving a mission-critical item from a concealed military cache, and making their escape to a predetermined extraction point, all within a rigorous three-minute timeframe.
The trials, however, did not conclude with prison flashbacks and train missions. AFL legend Jason Akermanis encountered a setback as he complained of excruciating foot pain to the chief medic, Dr. Dan. After a comprehensive examination, it was concluded that there was no medical justification for his discharge. Nevertheless, Jason voluntarily withdrew from the course, reasoning, “I’ve got out exactly what I would hope to get out of it. I didn’t leave injured, ah, that injured. I’m a bit sore but not that injured. And I don’t need to come on a course like this and prove anything else to anyone else.”
Controversy continued to swirl around the show as actor Craig McLachlan faced intense scrutiny regarding the 16 criminal charges laid against him in 2014. These charges were related to his portrayal of Dr. Frankenfurter in “The Rocky Horror Show.” McLachlan has been embroiled in allegations of assault, sexual harassment, indecent exposure, and bullying in recent years.
Craig, while expressing his affection for his craft, confessed, “I love the work but I don’t love show business. I don’t love that world.”
He went on to describe the unconventional and “fetishy” nature of “The Rocky Horror Show,” emphasizing that performers willingly sign up for the unique aspects of the production, including close-quarters rehearsals involving physical contact that adheres to the show’s context.
Tensions flared when Craig was reminded of the 15 criminal charges leveled against him in 2018. His response was impassioned and unequivocal: “I was found not guilty of any criminal behaviour. It was because I was f**king innocent!”
He recounted the profound hurt he experienced and the feeling of abandonment by former colleagues and friends during that tumultuous period.
After describing the “fetishy” nature of the stage show, Craig told the DS: “As a performer, when you sign on for that show, you’re signing up for the fetish nature of it, the comedy. During the rehearsal process, you’re in close quarters, you’re trying out new gags, you’re touching each other, not inappropriately, not within the parameters of what that show is.”
“I was found not guilty of any wrongful behaviour. It’s because I was f*cking innocent,” yelled the actor before being urged by DS Ant to calm down. “I’ve been profoundly hurt. So, you know there’s always going to be some residual anger,” he continued.
“People who only months before looked me in the eye and said ‘you create the most wonderful work environments imaginable’…abandonment, total abandonment. A tiny handful of courageous people I’ve had friendships with over thirty years were always there, but the vast majority, gone.”
McLachlan had initially pursued legal action against the ABC, Fairfax, and Christie Whelan Browne for defamation but withdrew the case in May 2022, coinciding with the day when 11 women were scheduled to provide evidence about allegations of sexual harassment, indecent exposure, indecent assault, and bullying.
Tuesday night on SAS Australia: A sickening submerged pipeline task almost ends in disaster. A leap of faith takes a heavy toll on one recruit and Thai cave rescue hero Dr Craig Challen tells his story.
The star recruits remaining on SAS Australia in 2023 are:
Abbey Holmes, 32 – AFL Field Commentator
Anthony Mundine, 47 – World Champion Boxer
Boyd Cordner, 30 – Retired NRL Star
Cassie Sainsbury, 28 – Convicted Drug Smuggler
Dr Craig Challen, 57 – Thai Cave Rescue Hero
Craig McLachlan, 57 – Actor
Lindy Klim, 45 – Balinese Princess
Mahalia Murphy, 29 – International Rugby Star
Matthew Mitcham, 35 – Olympic Gold Diver
Peter Bol, 29 – Olympic Runner
Stephanie Rice, 34 – Olympic Champion
Tim Robards, 40 – OG Bachelor
Zima Anderson, 25 – Actor
