Billionaire Merivale owner Justin Hemmes and model girlfriend Madeline Holtznagel steal the spotlight at the hospitality group’s 31st anniversary celebration in Sydney. The Back to the ’90s themed bash draws crowds with nostalgic vibes and high-energy dancing.
Glamorous Looks on the Red Carpet
Madeline, 29, captivates in a bold black cut-out maxi dress from Désordre Boutique. The outfit boasts a daring thigh-high split and pairs perfectly with strappy heels. She styles her blonde hair in an elegant updo and adds gold hoop earrings for a timeless finish, striking poses throughout the evening.
Justin, 53, complements her elegance in a classic black tuxedo and open-collar white shirt. His salt-and-pepper hair and confident smile exude old-school charm, creating a striking duo with undeniable chemistry.
Party Highlights and Throwback Fun
The couple dances amid a packed crowd as a DJ spins ’90s hits, including Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On. Justin amps up the energy by hauling an ’80s-style boombox onstage, blasting iconic dance tracks. Guests join in, laughing and soaking up the lively atmosphere.
Background of Recent Controversy
The festivities follow a 2024 scandal at The Merivales Awards at Ivy in Sydney’s CBD. Security footage captures pub patrons engaging in sexual activity in an elevator and urinating in public at Merivale venues. The unedited video plays across multiple screens with the caption ‘Big Brother is always watching,’ prompting uncomfortable laughter and shock from attendees.
Two female guests who leaked the footage describe their dismay: ‘I kind of couldn’t believe what I was seeing.’ They depart Merivale soon after, labeling the reel as reflective of a ‘toxic’ culture echoed by former employees.
A Merivale spokesperson counters that the screening occurs at a private, invitation-only event with no complaints received. ‘Merivale venues are comprehensively monitored by CCTV, a matter which is notified to patrons and staff with clear signage,’ the spokesperson states. ‘The CCTV covers public spaces in our venue, which is both lawful and standard practice in large hospitality venues. It is lawful for Merivale to capture this footage and there can be no reasonable expectation of privacy for any patron attending. For the avoidance of doubt, Merivale is not aware of any complaints arising from “The Merivales.”‘
