Ione Skye was the ultimate cool girl of the 80s and 90’s. A rising Hollywood star with undeniable talent and a rebellious spirit. She made her debut in River’s Edge alongside Keanu Reeves before cementing her status as a Gen X icon in Say Anything with John Cusack. But behind the scenes, her life wasn’t the Hollywood fairy tale many imagined. From her high-profile romances to navigating fame, Ione’s journey was anything but conventional.

In this episode, Ione shares her unconventional upbringing, the pressures of early fame, and the emotional weight of family dynamics. She opens up about exploring her sexuality, partying with Madonna, and navigating addiction, age-gap relationships, marriage, and infidelity. Plus, she reveals how her husband, Ben Lee, found the confidence to pursue her.

Content Warning: This conversation touches on addiction, and if this brings up anything for you National Alcohol and other drug hotline provides confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1800 250 015.

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LINKS:

• Buy Ione's incredible memoir 'Say Everything' here
• If you loved this chat with Ione we think you'll love Jess's conversation with Alison Brahe-Daddo here
• If you love what we do, why not follow the show, and rate and review on Apple or Spotify

CREDITS:
Host: Jessica Rowe
Guest: Ione Skye
Executive Producer: Nic McClure
Audio Producer: Nat Marshall
Digital Content Producer: Zoe Panaretos

The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today.

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