Tessa James looked unrecognisable as she attended a glitzy do celebrating a good cause among Melbourne’s elite. 

The rarely-seen Neighbours star, who stepped away from the spotlight after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2014, made a rare public appearance at L’Oreal Australia’s For Women In Science Awards on Wednesday.

The event, at Sophia at The Prahran Arcade, honoured five trailblazing scientists from Australia and New Zealand and was attended by more than 150 VIP guests, including Tayla Broad and Olivia Molly Rogers.

Tessa was the picture of sophistication as she arrived in a pared-down, monochromatic ensemble. 

The 34-year-old wore a flowing polka dot blouse paired with tailored black slacks and strappy heels for the occasion.

She slicked her hair back in an elegant bun, showing off her glowing visage and striking blue eyes.  

Tessa James (pictured) doesn’t look like this anymore

She also took a moment to pose alongside socialite Ellie Baillieu, who is engaged to restaurateur Tom Sutterby. 

Tessa has been keeping a low profile ever since she received her shock cancer diagnosis at the age of 23. 

Despite being at the height of her career, Tessa said ‘her life stopped’ and she made the difficult decision to step away from acting, Mamamia recently reported.

‘My life stopped, to be honest. I think for any 23-year-old, their life is moving pretty quickly,’ she told the publication.

‘You’re working a lot of things out, you’re trying new things, you’re just busy, making the most of your life. And my life just stopped.’

Tessa went on to say she began asking herself whether she could balance a successful acting career with cancer treatment.

She turned to stars like Delta Goodrem, who was also diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2002, for inspiration.

But after six months of chemotherapy, which saw her become completely cancer-free in 2020, she decided to step away from acting for good.

The rarely-seen Neighbours star showed face at L’Oreal Australia’s For Women In Science Awards on Wednesday

Tessa (left) also took a moment to pose alongside socialite Ellie Baillieu (right), who is engaged to restaurateur Tom Sutterby

Known best for playing the role of Nicole Franklin on Home and Away from 2008 to 2011, Tessa also starred in Beaconsfield, Love Child, and Spin Out.

But her rise to stardom came to a grinding halt in 2014 when she discovered a lump above her collarbone while pursuing an acting opportunity in Los Angeles.

Now, the former actress has pivoted to interior design, following in the footsteps of her mother and sister, who are interior architects.

Tessa is currently the Director and Head of Communications at AKI Design, a boutique interior design studio she runs with her family.

Tessa married former NRL star Nate Myles in 2011, and the pair share sons Saynt, seven, Jaguar, four, London, three, and their one-year-old, who they secretly welcomed in 2024.