Tina from Turners EXPOSED: The Real Story Behind NZ’s Most Famous Ad

She is a household name, face and voice in NZ as Tina from the Turners Cars commercials (one of New Zealand’s most iconic ad campaigns in recent years). Tina’s real name is Bubbah. Actually, that’s not entirely accurate.

Her real name is Sieni Tiani Leo’o Olo. But because that is the same name as her grandmother, she was given the family nickname Bubbah as a toddler, and it has stuck.

This is a rare and wide-ranging conversation and Bubbah open’s like never before.

+ We talk about her upbringing in a busy South Auckland household of 17 people. And how roasting is her family’s love language.

+ Why she is turning her back on the spotlight and leaving New Zealand to move to Samoa fulltime.

+ The whole back story about Tina from Turners and how it’s changed her life.

+ Her unlikely friendship formed on Celebrity Treasure Island with Christian Cullen.

+ Why she avoids social media, her views on cancel culture and so much more.

This conversation has a bit of everything. It’s unpredictable, funny, moving, and real. Bubbah- unfiltered and unforgettable.

In 250 episodes I’ve never met anyone like Bubbah! I think she’s awesome. I love her perspective on life, and I hope you do too.

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Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.

Generate is an award-winning KiwiSaver provider with a track record of delivering strong long-term returns for their clients- you can see their latest returns for yourself on their website.

I became a client when they came on board as the show sponsor and it’s been a gamechanger for me personally- I’m kicking myself for not doing it years earlier.

You can book a no obligation chat with one of their awesome KiwiSaver advisers at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pds

Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

And just a reminder — I’m a podcast host, not a financial adviser, so this is just general advice. I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.

CHAPTERS 00:00 – Meet Bubbah: chaos, wigs, and stage cuts 04:00 – Tina Turner died… and people thought Bubbah had too 06:00 – Leaving NZ at her peak to live in Samoa 10:00 – Taskmaster tattoos and ten-dollar ticket shows 20:00 – Backyard comedy: Ode to South Auckland 34:00 – The magic of community-led theatre 44:00 – Bombing on stage and surviving the silence 50:00 – Becoming Tina from Turners 58:00 – What the ad campaign did to her life 1:04:00 – Christian Cullen and CTI bonding 1:14:00 – Proud moments, inner peace, and what’s next