Starlight Ambassador since 2024
Matthew Johnson, affectionately known as Matty J, rose to fame as the fifth leading man on The Bachelor where he swept his now wife, Laura Byrne, off her feet.
Since finding love in the most unconventional way, they’ve welcomed two beautiful girls, Marlie-Mae and Lola, to their growing brood.
Matty's hosting work has included The Living Room, which saw him nominated for a TV Week Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent, international travel series, Luxury Escapes and regular guest-hosting on Studio 10.
No stranger to reality TV, Matty J has also pirouetted his way back onto the small screen in Dancing With The Stars All Stars in 2021 and was a finalist in the 2025 season of ‘I’m a Celebrity Get me Out of Here’ where he nominated Starlight as his charity of choice.
These days when he’s not busy changing nappies or walking his three-legged dog Buster, you can find Matty J entertaining his 450k strong followers on social media with his hilarious parent-related skits.
Since coming onboard with Starlight, Matty J has hit the ground running, taking part in some pretty awesome events.
On hand for Starlight’s incredible 13,000th wish, Matty J expertly entertained ten very excited Starlight families while MC’ing our recent Happiness Island event, with Virgin Australia and Hamilton Island.
“My small role helping these kids be as happy as can be, is something I will remember forever. Watching these families with huge smiles on their faces, is one of those pinch yourself moments.”
Matty J has brought laughter and smiles to sick kids, spending some time getting crafty in our Starlight Express Rooms, and has personally delivered a healthy dose of fun to kids too sick to leave the wards.
Always up for a laugh, Matty J has been transformed into Captain Princess Unicorn, been involved in a highly competitive charades showdown, and been a special guest star on Starlight TV.
“As a dad of two young girls, I know what it’s like to experience the stress of illness and emergency trips to the hospital. I’m so proud to be working with an organisation that creates fun, positive moments during those scary times.”
ABOUT: Starting his career in marketing, working with top agencies in Sydney and London, Matty J rose to fame on Australian TV screens as the charismatic lead in the fifth series of The Bachelor. Feeling at home in front of the cameras, he has since been nominated for a TV Week Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent for his work on The Living Room, and was crowned the country's Best Creator on Instagram at the inaugural AiMCO Awards in 2023.