Disgraced one-time deputy mayor Salim Mehajer was blocked by organisers from attending FHM magazine's annual Halloween party in Sydney on Friday night. Mehajer desperately sought an invitation to the bash, but officials turned him away due to his controversial past and criminal record.
An insider confirmed Mehajer was blacklisted to prevent past controversies from overshadowing the gathering, which was organised to celebrate the publication's Most Influential Women issue.
"It was a celebration of the women in the issue, and we didn't want the night overshadowed by an unrelated controversy," an organiser was overheard saying at the bash.
"We considered the request and decided he wasn't the right fit for this particular event... being interested in attending doesn't automatically mean you're getting an invitation," the organiser added. "The decision was made, it was communicated, and that was the end of it."
Criminal History and Bail Arrests
Mehajer was released from jail in July 2025 after serving five years behind bars and remains on parole. His incarceration included stints at Sydney's Silverwater prison and Goulburn Supermax while being transferred from Cooma. He served back-to-back sentences for lying to a court and a string of other offences, including violent acts against his former partner.
In August, Mehajer was locked up again after allegedly breaching bail by breaking into a letterbox at his former home, marking the second time he was jailed over that accusation. He had been out on bail for just shy of 50 days before the arrest. Mehajer later appeared in bail court and secured release after being charged with destroying or damaging property, dishonestly tampering with a mail receptacle, and entering enclosed land without a lawful excuse.
Delta Goodrem Absent From Sydney Venue
While Mehajer was barred at the door, a mix of models, influencers, socialites, and reality television regulars packed the venue in barely-there costumes. Free drinks ran out within the first hour, though attendees continued celebrating regardless.
The publication's woman of the year was conspicuously absent from the festivities. Singer Delta Goodrem, who fronts the latest issue and tops its list of Australia's 100 most influential women, left the partygoers to celebrate without her.
The guest list reflected how the annual party has evolved over time. Back in 2012, Sophie Monk was the special guest at MAXIM Australia's Hot 100 Halloween bash at Marquee in Sydney. Recent editions have leaned heavily into the reality television circuit, drawing Married At First Sight's Dean Wells, Beauty and the Geek's Aimee Woolley, and cover model Liz Kirkness.
Reality Television Stars Lead Arrivals
Rozz Switzer and Rhiannon O'Loughlin led arrivals as guests embraced wild costumes. Rozz wore a black corset, red-and-black ruffled miniskirt, fishnet tights, and glittering peep-toe heels, topped with a sparkling black hat, red choker, and red lipstick. She posed beside a guest in a glossy red lace-up bodysuit and matching bunny ears.
My Kitchen Rules star Mel Bailey arrived in a cropped white blouse over a visible black lace bra, a pleated checked miniskirt, and black knee-high socks, accessorised with a black choker and layered necklaces featuring a cross pendant.
Upcoming Married At First Sight brides Bella Kajewski and Sarah Jane Comben showcased contrasting styles. Bella chose a blood-spattered bride costume in a sheer white lace corset dress, matching gloves, lace veil, and a fake heart attached to her chest with fake blood running down her neckline. Sarah Jane dressed as an angel in an embellished bra with beadwork, a white tulle miniskirt, feathered wings, and a halo.
Jilted MAFS bride Mel Akbay channelled Jennifer Lopez's famous Grammys look in a green printed gown with a plunging neckline and thigh-high split, silver heels, and wavy hair, posing alongside Kajewski and Comben.
Model Liz Kirkness put a racy spin on Maleficent in a glossy black bodysuit, thigh-high boots, and opera-length gloves, pictured alongside Britta Dawson.
Couples and Themed Characters
Imogen Anthony, the ex-partner of Kyle Sandilands rumoured to be newly single, wore a leopard-print ensemble with a matching hood and choker. She styled her copper hair with a short fringe, dramatic winged eyeliner, and red lipstick, posing with a drink beside a guest in animal print.
Married At First Sight groom Steven Danyluk brought country styling alongside a new date who shares the first name Rachel with his television bride. While his former TV wife Rachel Gilmore has continued crying about their split on social media, Danyluk smiled in a black cowboy hat, charcoal denim jacket, dark shirt, and blue jeans, while his date wore a sparkling minidress and white faux-fur jacket.
First Dates contestant Tyler Blue-Allan arrived dressed as murderous investment banker Patrick Bateman from the 2000 film American Psycho. The 26-year-old model wore a pinstriped jacket, red tie, blue trousers, and loafers beneath a clear raincoat splashed with fake blood, with blood smeared across his face. He posed beside a companion in a leopard-print minidress and burgundy heels. Blue-Allan recently drew backlash on First Dates after interrogating 27-year-old nurse Kristal about her wish to remain financially independent, insisting he wanted a housewife.
Wild Outfits and Festive Mashups
Another model turned heads in a red-and-white striped triangle bikini top and red briefs paired with black chaps featuring red stripes and white panels, resembling a schoolgirl or Britney Spears tribute.
Tali Jatali wrapped herself in warning tape reading "danger" over a plunging red top and lace miniskirt, paired with narrow black sunglasses, hoop earrings, metallic heels, and a black handbag.
FHM boss Michael Downs kept things casual in an open-neck black shirt, faded jeans, black boots, and spooky red forehead markings.
The Traitors star Lawson Mahoney sported a glittery pink cowboy hat and unbuttoned blush shirt with light-wash jeans and jewellery. Model Joey Robson channelled Indiana Jones in a torn beige shirt marked with fake blood, brown trousers, and a leather belt. Former MAFS groom Ryan Donnelly wore a neon animal-print suit in pink, yellow, green, and blue.
Suzan Mutesi dressed for Christmas in a black corset bodysuit, fishnet tights, a large red-and-green tartan bow, a Santa Claus tie, baubles, and festive headwear.
Other attendees included Hayley Ohara in a gold leaf fairy minidress alongside Robbie Barrington, and Marcus Ball as a Wild West sheriff in a singlet, torn jeans, and a cowboy hat. Additional costumes included a model in orange prison garb with "wanted" written on her stomach, a glamorous pirate in a brown corset and paisley scarf, a skeleton-print bride, a guest in black lace lingerie with bunny ears, a scarlet bunny, a guest holding a gold microphone, and a group of four posing as a Playboy bunny, the Mad Hatter, and a gentleman with a cane.
