Skye Wheatley, a 32-year-old former Big Brother Australia contestant, has publicly addressed her mid-range drink-driving charge, stating she is profoundly disappointed in herself and hopes her experience will serve as a cautionary tale for others.
Wheatley is scheduled to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on August 24. The incident occurred when police were alerted by a passerby who observed her vehicle parked outside a Gold Coast McDonald's for several hours. Wheatley recorded a blood-alcohol reading of 0.119 at the time of the charge.
She has taken responsibility for her actions, telling the Daily Mail that there is no excuse for her behavior. "I made a really poor decision and I'm deeply disappointed in myself," Wheatley said. "There isn't an excuse for what happened. I take responsibility for my actions and I know I have to deal with the consequences."
Wheatley stated she was attempting to sober up for approximately four hours before police arrived. While she believes context is important, she emphasized that she is not using it as an excuse. "I don't want this to become about making excuses. I made the wrong decision. That's what I have to take responsibility for, and that's what I'm doing."
The mother of two is reportedly exploring professional support services, including access to therapy and psychological assistance, following the incident. The experience has prompted her to re-evaluate her relationship with alcohol and her decision-making processes.
"I don't just want to say sorry because I've been caught in a bad situation and then forget about it," she explained. "I want to learn something from this and actually make changes so I'm never sitting in this position again."
Having garnered a significant online following since her appearance on Big Brother Australia in 2014, Wheatley feels a responsibility to be candid about her mistake rather than concealing it. "I've shared so much of my life with people over the years. The good and the bad. I'm human and I got this wrong. I can't undo it, but I can decide what I do from here."
She hopes that by speaking openly about her situation, others will reconsider their own choices regarding drinking and driving. Wheatley advises, "If you're questioning whether you're okay to drive, don't. Get an Uber, call someone, leave the car where it is. Whatever inconvenience that causes is nothing compared to what can happen when you make the wrong decision."
Wheatley's immediate focus is on accepting the consequences and ensuring this mistake does not define her future. "I'm disappointed in myself that I put myself in this position, but I'm going to learn from it. Hopefully someone else can learn from my mistake too."