Although she’d already done a few small acting roles, Sonia Gray was better known as a model when she jumped in the deep end at 21, playing Aleesha Cook on Shortland Street. The conwoman character targeted men on the street, gaining wealth and a job at the hospital. Gray has been most prominent on local TV screens as New Zealand’s second-longest serving Lotto presenter (she began in 2005). She was a co-host of roving reality show Ghosts and game show Wheel of Fortune. As well as helping Kiwis win big, Gray has acted in Love Birds and The Royal Treatment, and hosted factual TV series Passengers and Family Mystery.
When Aleesha was unleashing her worst on the show things got pretty crazy for me in the real world. If I ventured out in public I risked being shoved or spat on or sworn at . . . perhaps the peak of humiliation came when a guy poured a pint of beer over my head from the upstairs bar at a pub. That was the spirit breaker. Sonia Gray on the ramifications of playing Shortland Street villain Aleesha Cook, The Spinoff, 18 January 2016
G •
Sonia Gray Presenter Profile
Celebrating Differences, Leading the Discourse: Neurodivergent Advocate, Versatile Host
Known (and loved) TV presenter and personality Sonia Gray has been a steady contributor to Kiwi screens for some 20 years now. You may recognize her as the face of Lotto, serving as presenter for the last 15 years. More than just a presenter, Sonia is also an actress, writer and model.
More recently, after being diagnosed with ADHD herself and raising a daughter under the neurodivergent umbrella, Sonia saw an opportunity to use her status to further educate the New Zealand community. In 2022 she produced and presented the TVNZ documentary Kids Wired Differently. She has also released the multi-award winning podcast series No Such Thing as Normal.
An all-rounder, Sonia is the real deal: experienced, warm and socially aware, with speaking skills as versatile and robust as her portfolio. Sonia hosts with a confidence that comes only with years of experience – and it’s that warmth, insight and industry credibility that sees her take on diverse projects with consiste
•
Sonia Gray MC/Entertainer Profile
Back to MCs & Entertainers
Profile
Celebrating Differences, Leading the Discourse: Neurodivergent Advocate, Versatile Host
Known (and loved) TV presenter and personality Sonia Gray has been a steady contributor to Kiwi screens for some 20 years now. You may recognize her as the face of Lotto, serving as presenter for the last 15 years. More than just a presenter, Sonia is also an actress, writer and model.
More recently, after being diagnosed with ADHD herself and raising a daughter under the neurodivergent umbrella, Sonia saw an opportunity to use her status to further educate the New Zealand community. In 2022 she produced and presented the TVNZ documentary Kids Wired Differently. She has also released the multi-award winning podcast series No Such Thing as Normal.
An all-rounder, Sonia is the real deal: experienced, warm and socially aware, with speaking skills as versatile and robust as her portfolio. Sonia hosts with a confidence that comes only with years of experience – and it’s that warmth, insight and industry cr